Free course. One paragraph per day.
Vigilant mistrust is a useful and rational attitude to take with regard to the officials and institutions in any government, even in liberal republican democracies. It is difficult for most of us to get enough good information about our elected officials and the bureaucrats they direct. We want to how competent they are and how they balance their ambitions against the rule of law and our Constitution. A partial solution is to rely on trustworthy people or organizations who make their professional business to understand and monitor specific institutions of government. Ultimately, however, it is up to us to stay watchful and use our elections and our courts to hold our officials accountable for their actions.
Image: Thomas Jefferson
If you want to explore exactly what to be vigilant for, see more here.