Countries have taken different paths when adopting democracy, but since 1920 there has been a consistent playbook to get countries to jettison democracy. First, convince a plurality of the electorate that they are in a struggle for “their country.” Second, identify an enemy that needs to be despised and defeated. Third, stymie legislative action, make things as miserable as possible, and undermine faith in the election process. Fourth, exploit violence to demonstrate that the current elected officials cannot control the situation. This adds a tangible dimension to the struggle and an element of fear to reinforce the anger. Fifth, install a charismatic leader who can secure victory if obstacles aren’t placed in his path.
Historians talk about “the big lie” aiding the process, the example before us today is the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. While this is a lie, it is not “the” big lie. “The” big lie is that there will be an end to the struggle. Anger, fear, and the drama of conflict fuel the system. To keep the system in place there must always be an enemy to hate and defeat. Anybody can be that enemy at any time, those who don’t believe that are lying to themselves. Anger and fear are visceral emotions, we naturally respond to them. In the upcoming elections we are being presented the choice of voting for anger and fear. But doing so today may mean depriving our children of having any choices.
James Cole
Concord