In his 1935 novel “It Can't Happen Here,” Sinclair Lewis warned that authoritarianism hides behind patriotism and religious imagery.
Authoritarian leaders use narratives of national greatness and divine mandate to mobilize support.
They systematically capture institutions by placing loyalists in government, law enforcement, and the courts.
Cults of personality and scapegoating unify followers and suppress dissent.
Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan and actions mirror historical authoritarian playbooks from Nazi Germany and Venezuela.
Current tactics include the Big Lie about stolen elections, attacks on the press, and attempts to federalize local police forces.
Mixing politics with religious symbols has convinced many Americans to overlook hypocrisy and undemocratic behavior.
Democratic erosion occurs gradually through the undermining of norms, not outright coups.
Americans face a critical choice to recognize and resist authoritarianism before it’s too late.
Get notified when new stories are published for "Hacker News 🇺🇸 English"