The posts link you to blog articles I’ve written how America has become an authoritarian state. Here are a few examples.

Introduction

In recent years, concerns about the rise of authoritarianism have become more prominent, both globally and within the United States. More people in the world live in countries governed by an authoritarian than in live in democracies. As citizens, it is our responsibility to protect and strengthen democracy. We must make sure that it remains resilient against the encroachment of authoritarian tendencies. We can understand the underlying causes of authoritarianism. By taking the right steps, we can prevent it from expanding any further. Its expansion should not surpass what has occurred in the United States since the Reagan administration in 1981.

The subsequent attributes characterize authoritarianism.

  • the enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the cost of personal freedom,
  • a form of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms,
  • principle of blind submission to authority, as opposed to personal freedom of thought and action,
  • any political system that concentrates power in the hands of a leader or a small élite that is not constitutionally responsible to the body of the people,
  • in raising children, authoritarian parents demand obedience, good manners, and good behavior and not independence, curiosity, and thinking for oneself.

Understanding the Threat

Authoritarianism thrives in an environment of societal divisions, political disillusionment, and economic instability. Recently emerging autocracies, like Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, have taken over. They replaced democracies that were in their early stages after decades of authoritarian rule.  

Nonetheless, the main concern that I have in this post, is how to deal with the rising tide of Trumpism. There are three people that I want to bring into this conversation.  Each of them brings their background, knowledge, and skill. They help us understand the nature of authoritarianism. They also help us see how it differs from democratization.  They especially help us understand Trumpism. 

No Time to Panic

As Terri Kanefield wrote on her bog, it’s “No Time for Panic.”  Kanefield is a former appellate defender and UC Berkeley Law graduate.  She’s published more than a dozen books, and writes one of the most important blogs on the law and politics.  Her recent post, “no time for panic” serves as a primer. It guides us on what actions to take as we approach the primaries and general election of 2024.  She explains that panic falls right into the playbook of authoritarians.  They are going to say and do outrageous things intended to upend our thinking.  Instead what we must do is to realize who Trump and his defenders are—liars, propagandists, cheats, and losers.

Their goal is to attain power that puts democracy in the rearview mirror. They want to install an authoritarian who will lead them. This leader is expected to solve all their problems.  Doesn’t this remind you of the guy who said, “I alone can fix it.” This kind of thinking was prominent in Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy.  People were looking for someone who fix their problems.  The people in these countries were convinced that democracy doesn’t work, and that it should be replaced with a “strongman.”  I mean a “man.” Please take a look at Germany 1923 by Volker Ullrich. The book describes how Hitler was seen as a savior. He was regarded as a replacement for the struggling democracy of the Weimar Republic.  We are witnessing the goal of the Republicans to replace American democracy with Trump and Trumpism. 

Strongmen

The threat of authoritarianism is explained by Ruth Ben-Ghiat in her book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. Dr. Ben-Ghiat is an American historian and cultural critic. She is a scholar on fascism and authoritarian leaders. Ben-Ghiat is professor of history and Italian studies at New York University. She writes Lucid, a blog on Substack. It explores the consequences of democratic erosion. It also examines the corruption led by Donald Trump, his allies, and devoted followers known as MAGA.  

Moral Politics

George Lakoff’s research on moral politics (a link to Lakoff’s book of the same title) is essential. It should be at the top. It is crucial for understanding Donald Trump’s thought process. It also helps to understand the millions of followers.  Lakoff argues that conservatives and liberals hold two different conceptual models of morality.  Conservatives have a strict father model. There is a head who does no wrong, controls the narrative, and answers to no one.  Liberals (progressives) have a nurturing father model in which cooperation, empathy, and shared responsibility define them.

Reality of the January 6 Attack

The 2024 election is a repeat of the 2020 election.  Joe Biden won that election by seven million votes.  Donald Trump was the loser.  He was also a loser in the 2016 election, in which Hillary Clinton beat him by nearly three million votes.  When he lost to President Biden, he orchestrated a coup and insurrection to overturn the general election.  The “fake elector” scam was carried out in several states. The “fake elector” scam is part of the indictment leveled at Trump and 18 co-conspirators in Fulton County, Georgia. 

He ordered thousands to charge the Capitol. They aimed to prevent the Congressional Representatives and Senators from counting the electoral ballots from the states. January 6 became a day of infamy when a horde of pirates climbed walls. They attacked Capitol police and forced hundreds of people to go into hiding.  They were looking for Vice President Mike Pence. He didn’t follow Trump’s orders to halt the counting of votes. Trump wanted him to send them back to their states.  The mob wanted to hang Pence. 

Autocracy

America is under the rule of an autocracy led by Elon Musk and Donald Trump. The past month has seen the erosion of democratic safeguards as never before. The Republicans in Congress have been mute. They have looked the other way at how Musk and Trump are destroying the Executive branch of the U.S. Government. Musk, with Trump’s blessing, is firing thousands of people in the departments and agencies of the Federal government. They do this without regard for the humanity of those people. They have no information about who these people are, what they do, and how well they execute.

The documents also explores historical parallels with authoritarian regimes. It examines the consequences of federal budget cuts. It underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic values.

Additionally, it features fictional letters from the future, providing a speculative perspective on the long-term effects of current political trends.

The overarching theme urges citizens to stay vigilant. They must be proactive in defending democracy against authoritarian threats.

Key Points of American Autocracy

The key points of American Autocracy are observed in the above blog posts.

  1. Political Dynamics and Far-Right Influence: There have been meetings between far-right Republicans and Hungarian officials. It highlights the growing influence of authoritarian figures like Viktor Orbán on U.S. politics. Orbán also made a visit to meet with Trump before the election. They met in Mar a Lago.
  2. Trump’s Authoritarian Strategies: Trump has attempted to undermine democratic institutions. These include his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He incited the January 6 Capitol attack. He also used conspiracy theories and divisive rhetoric.
  3. Impact on Democratic Institutions: The consequences of Trump’s leadership on various federal agencies are immense. The analysis includes mass firings and budget cuts. These actions crippled public services and research initiatives.
  4. Historical Parallels: I also draw comparisons between the current political climate in the U.S. and historical instances of authoritarianism, like Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, to illustrate the dangers of unchecked power.
  5. Role of Influential Figures: The involvement of figures like Elon Musk is discussed. Their influence on government policies is especially considered. They have the potential to reshape governance according to technocratic ideals.
  6. Call to Action: Citizens need to stay vigilant. It also stresses the importance of staying informed. They should also be proactive in defending democratic values against authoritarian threats.
  7. Fictional Perspectives: The inclusion of fictional letters from the future offers a speculative look. They examine the long-term effects of current political trends. These letters serve as both a warning and a call to action.

Overall, the document provides a detailed analysis of the rise of authoritarianism in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democracy through active civic engagement and awareness.