Our recent history is full of perfect examples of dictatorial regimes that have undoubtedly enslaved, blackmailed, enslaved, intimidated, tortured, persecuted, and executed innocent people. Yet many Americans firmly believe and confidently declare that such a thing would never happen in the United States. But is this just wishful thinking?
Or is there something fundamentally different about America that allows it to withstand the despotic brutality that has plagued every other major empire in history? The first step in validating the claim that it won’t happen here is to identify and describe what “IT” is. Many people have a distorted, almost comical image of dictatorships.
In the real world, dictatorship always appears quietly under the guise of protecting the country, protecting the people, and establishing a legal order. To gain and hold power, a dictator must enlist the support of the people. An effective oppressor cannot publicly display malice and power-hungry but must adapt his methods to convince people that his goals are just, that he wants honesty and fairness to abound, and that the most desirable way to achieve his or her domination and authority.
Authoritarian governments develop by exploiting people’s fears—economic insecurity, crime, foreign invaders, etc.—and convincing people that the quick fix is for political leaders to be given legally absolute jurisdiction to protect people from World evil invades. This has always been the mode by which authoritarian regimes are born.
No matter how brutal and bloodthirsty a regime becomes, those in power will uphold noble intentions and will dictate that extreme governance is needed to protect people and establish justice and order. Every time human beings go from democracy to autocracy, it is in the name of defending the country and the people.
