I might add the comforting factor of totalitarianism. It sounds bizarre but some people feel very comforted by its rigidity and predictability. As mammals, humans crave hierarchy and order. This basic instinct counters the more advanced desire for freedom (even though freedom implies discomfort and unpredictability). From this point of view, there will always be forces in society towards totalitarianism (the prevailing form of governance throughout human history). Democracy and freedom entered the scene relatively late in human history and only in the most advanced societies where people were able to overcome the animal instinct and realize the benefits of non-totalitarian model.
The main medium term risk is that immigration makes the purple states blue and the red states purple. Once that happens there will be nowhere to hide.
Another ongoing risk is that a collapse in family formation continues, which would be a boon for the radical left as its basically the party of childless cat ladies.
The "New Right" identify these issues while the left mostly dismisses or celebrates them.
If the left wins this election it will not only ratify everything you list here, but it will probably send the GOP back into the arms of the Bush and Cheneys of the world.
As another recovering Lefty, raised by socialists and communists and living mostly a socialist-leaning life, like my parents and relatives (and their social circle) I was caught in the utopian ideal rather than the harsh reality. Looking back, I see how they tried in their immediate post-war lives to go back to the land in communal fashion, which then fell apart after a year or so. The brutality of Stalin and Mao was overlooked in favor of the ideal which was supposed to be the only alternative to the ruling class and fascism.
I find your solution noble but I fear it is also untenable and utopian, given the violence and nihilism of the Democrats, the progressive Left in general and their willing followers. I don't see a peaceful end to this. It's going to get bloody. Like you, I'd rather it didn't, but given the states of mind we are up against, I doubt a peaceful transition is possible.
I found this 3-part series incredibly informative.
I think the degree to which the transition back can be peaceful will be to a large extent determined by how quickly people recognize the problem and act against it. If we do it soon, it can be mainly peaceful. If we wait 20 years, it could well be very violent.
I also do not believe that the trend is being pushed by Marxist or Communists.
My solutions are not utopian. They have been proven effective. I don't think other solutions are better.
Very nicely done exposition of Soft Totalitarianism and what is required to counter it. Thanks.
I might add the comforting factor of totalitarianism. It sounds bizarre but some people feel very comforted by its rigidity and predictability. As mammals, humans crave hierarchy and order. This basic instinct counters the more advanced desire for freedom (even though freedom implies discomfort and unpredictability). From this point of view, there will always be forces in society towards totalitarianism (the prevailing form of governance throughout human history). Democracy and freedom entered the scene relatively late in human history and only in the most advanced societies where people were able to overcome the animal instinct and realize the benefits of non-totalitarian model.
“As primates” would be more accurate than “as mammals”
I think you have made a Typo that changes the meaning:
“And they do need to come from anything that is not already tried and proven. We do not need a “strong leader.”
Corrected. Thanks.
I was trying to avoid a double negative and made it worse. LOL
I completely rewrote that paragraph...
Great article, btw :) You did a really good job outlining the drift towards T.
The main medium term risk is that immigration makes the purple states blue and the red states purple. Once that happens there will be nowhere to hide.
Another ongoing risk is that a collapse in family formation continues, which would be a boon for the radical left as its basically the party of childless cat ladies.
The "New Right" identify these issues while the left mostly dismisses or celebrates them.
If the left wins this election it will not only ratify everything you list here, but it will probably send the GOP back into the arms of the Bush and Cheneys of the world.
As another recovering Lefty, raised by socialists and communists and living mostly a socialist-leaning life, like my parents and relatives (and their social circle) I was caught in the utopian ideal rather than the harsh reality. Looking back, I see how they tried in their immediate post-war lives to go back to the land in communal fashion, which then fell apart after a year or so. The brutality of Stalin and Mao was overlooked in favor of the ideal which was supposed to be the only alternative to the ruling class and fascism.
I find your solution noble but I fear it is also untenable and utopian, given the violence and nihilism of the Democrats, the progressive Left in general and their willing followers. I don't see a peaceful end to this. It's going to get bloody. Like you, I'd rather it didn't, but given the states of mind we are up against, I doubt a peaceful transition is possible.
I found this 3-part series incredibly informative.
https://notesfromthepast.substack.com/p/how-communists-took-over-america
Thanks for the comment.
I think the degree to which the transition back can be peaceful will be to a large extent determined by how quickly people recognize the problem and act against it. If we do it soon, it can be mainly peaceful. If we wait 20 years, it could well be very violent.
I also do not believe that the trend is being pushed by Marxist or Communists.
My solutions are not utopian. They have been proven effective. I don't think other solutions are better.
Do you think you have a better solution?