New role for New York: leading by example

There is probably no greater test of democracy than a sudden crisis and the resulting thirst for public security. Where democracy calls for deliberation, crises demand swift action. Where pluralism requires debate, an insecure public longs for unity. And where representative government depends upon the rotation of responsibility and power, emergencies ask for strong individuals to take charge, restore order and lead the public to a better place.

Consequently, when a people feel threatened, they are often tempted to override laws and procedures — those foundations of government built gradually by elected officials — in favor of extraordinary leadership and extralegal actions. But, as the history of "Emergency Rule" illustrates (e.g. India and the Philippines in the past, Venezuela today), we indulge such temptations at our peril.

For over two centuries, America's democracy has passed the tests of many crises, choosing institutions and laws over popular passions and dominant personalities. New Yorkers may now face that test again if Mayor Rudy Giuliani continues to entertain the idea of a third or "extended" term. If so, their response will set an important example about how our democracy withstands its campaign against terrorism.

Led by the untiring and surprisingly empathetic Giuliani, New Yorkers have already guided the nation in responding to its tragedy and loss. Their example during the rescue, the recovery and the grieving has been awesome enough without piling upon them another test, another burden: a potential struggle over the continuation of civilian government.

That is why the mayor's efforts to alter electoral laws and arouse support for an extralegal 'third term' or 'extended period' in office are both saddening and troubling. During this difficult time they undercut Giuliani's tremendous service with a disregard — no matter the motive — for the lasting political damage wrought by private deals and informal tampering with basic government processes. Neither astonishing popularity nor widespread gratitude justifies the corruption of public institutions built to serve citizens through good times and bad.

Unfortunately, considerations of how an extended mayoral term would impact New York and the country seem far from Giuliani's mind, (which in other recent matters has focused so intensely on treating the needs of the many). During a "Sixty Minutes II" interview, the mayor said he is "consulting" with people who have "a role in figuring out how to do it."

Apparently, any questions about "whether" or "should" he "do it" have already been answered in the affirmative. Puzzling.

Haven't President Bush and basically the whole country been adamant about not giving the terrorists a victory by letting them disrupt the American way of life? Haven't we agreed that we should try to get back to work and — despite the terrorists' best efforts to the contrary — re-establish a sense of normalcy? And isn't it clear that the greatest threat to our nation and the surest way to let terrorism win is by eroding our democracy, that very freedom and liberty we are told is under assault?

No, reply the mayor and his agents in their stealth campaign. Now an even greater threat looms: the prospect of a regular election after which an unremarkable, but qualified candidate (Bloomberg, Ferrer or Green) succeeds the superhuman Giuliani.

As much as New Yorkers may want Giuliani (and as much as he may want them to want him) the mayor should quickly end this undemocratic flirtation with his loyal and resilient constituents. New Yorkers are America's role models for the weeks just past and the many days ahead. Extralegal actions, buoyed by populist appeals during a crisis period, would set an ominous precedent for future responses to terrorism and domestic uncertainty.

The images and messages of New York have pulled the nation from the brink of despair. From the mayor, to the firemen, to the people returning to their jobs, New Yorkers have demonstrated the best of America's bravery, perseverance and healing during a time of tragedy and grief. I could not hold back tears when Jon Stewart said that the view from his apartment used to be the World Trade Center but is now the Statue of Liberty.

More than ever before, the people of New York must embody and defend the values of that monument, leading by example to prove that America's democratic society will pass even these toughest tests, from terrorist violence to the maintenance of due process, elected government and the lawful rotation of power. Jason Brownlee, a former 'Prince' columnist, received a Master's Degree in politics and is a Ph.D. Candidate from Raleigh, NC. He can be reached at brownlee@princeton.edu.