(Thread)
@duty2warn asks: How can the entire GOP leadership forsake its vows to the Constitution?
The answer: They prefer Cult of Leadership to Rule of Law.
GOP leadership ran for office—not to further the aims of liberal democracy—but to subvert it.
Don't be surprised. . .
@duty2warn asks: How can the entire GOP leadership forsake its vows to the Constitution?
The answer: They prefer Cult of Leadership to Rule of Law.
GOP leadership ran for office—not to further the aims of liberal democracy—but to subvert it.
Don't be surprised. . .
1/ This is precisely how fascism takes over.
From ⤵️ fascism isn’t an ideology. It’s a mass uprising led by a mesmerizing leader.
Fascists come to power through legal means (they are elected or appointed) and then they immediately begin battering the democratic institutions.
From ⤵️ fascism isn’t an ideology. It’s a mass uprising led by a mesmerizing leader.
Fascists come to power through legal means (they are elected or appointed) and then they immediately begin battering the democratic institutions.
2/ Fascism is a cult of leadership. The followers believe the leader's instincts are superior to rational logic.
Sociologist Max Weber has the best explanation. He lists 3 sources of authority:
🔹Traditional (monarchy)
🔹Rational rule of law (democracy)
🔹Charismatic leader
Sociologist Max Weber has the best explanation. He lists 3 sources of authority:
🔹Traditional (monarchy)
🔹Rational rule of law (democracy)
🔹Charismatic leader
3/ America is currently divided between those who want Rule of Law / Democracy and those who reject Rule of Law and prefer Charismatic Leader.
Rule of Law and Charismatic Leader cannot exist together.
Democracy relies on Rule of Law
Cult of leadership rejects Rule of Law.
Rule of Law and Charismatic Leader cannot exist together.
Democracy relies on Rule of Law
Cult of leadership rejects Rule of Law.
4/ If you find that logic doesn't work with a cultist, it is because those who embrace a leadership cults reject logic and rationality.
Cult of Leadership has a lot of appeal. Democracy requires compromise. It’s messy. It’s slow grinding work.
Cult of Leadership has a lot of appeal. Democracy requires compromise. It’s messy. It’s slow grinding work.
5/ A “strongman” can get things done quickly and easily. He doesn’t worry about those cumbersome checks and balances.
Procedures won't slow him down.
Some people would rather kowtow to a Strongman and curry his favor than deal with the complexity of Rule of Law.
Procedures won't slow him down.
Some people would rather kowtow to a Strongman and curry his favor than deal with the complexity of Rule of Law.
6/ Some GOP leaders want to destroy the federal government because of what scholars Hahl, Kim and Sivan call a “crisis of legitimacy.”
This happens when people don’t think the government governs on their behalf.
asanet.org/sites/default/…
This happens when people don’t think the government governs on their behalf.
asanet.org/sites/default/…
7/ They think the “political establishment is favoring new groups over established groups.”
They think these “new” groups (immigrants, minorities, etc.) are displacing them—the “real” Americans.
Exactly what Laura Ingraham explained here:
They think these “new” groups (immigrants, minorities, etc.) are displacing them—the “real” Americans.
Exactly what Laura Ingraham explained here:
8/ Another way of viewing the lawbreaking is through the prism of reactionary politics.
“Again” in “MAGA” signals reactionism.
Political psychologists Capelos and Katsanidou define reactionism as “a forceful desire to return to the past.”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.11…
“Again” in “MAGA” signals reactionism.
Political psychologists Capelos and Katsanidou define reactionism as “a forceful desire to return to the past.”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.11…
9/ They want to go back to the 1920s (or earlier) when [white] men had almost unlimited personal liberty.
💠When the frontier was open, they could grab land!
💠Before modern rape and sexual harassment laws, they could grab women!
💠When the frontier was open, they could grab land!
💠Before modern rape and sexual harassment laws, they could grab women!
10/
💠Before the New Deal and regulatory agencies, they could cheat, manipulate markets, and fix prices.
🎶Those were the days🎶
To get back to the 1920s, they have to dismantle the federal government and all those agencies put in place since the New Deal.
💠Before the New Deal and regulatory agencies, they could cheat, manipulate markets, and fix prices.
🎶Those were the days🎶
To get back to the 1920s, they have to dismantle the federal government and all those agencies put in place since the New Deal.
11/ When you seek office for the purpose of dismantling the federal government, it makes sense that you don’t uphold your vow to protect and defend the Constitution.
Or you can take the libertarian positions that all those laws and regulatory agents violate the Constitution.
Or you can take the libertarian positions that all those laws and regulatory agents violate the Constitution.
12/ When frontier was open, those who didn’t want to follow the rules had a place to go.
Now that there's no more frontier, those who reject laws are stuck here and we have to deal with them.
Some GOP leaders are just greedy: You can get richer faster if you ignore the laws.
Now that there's no more frontier, those who reject laws are stuck here and we have to deal with them.
Some GOP leaders are just greedy: You can get richer faster if you ignore the laws.
13/ In some ways, democracy (and compromise) go against human nature.
When my son was in preschool and learned about taking turns, he told me, “I don’t like taking turns. I want all the turns.”
Some people want all the turns.
When my son was in preschool and learned about taking turns, he told me, “I don’t like taking turns. I want all the turns.”
Some people want all the turns.
14/ (My son grew into a nice young man, don't worry.)
Mussolini rejected compromise because, in his view, the "strong" don’t compromise.
Newt Gingrich, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell and pals reject compromise because they see compromise as impure.
A "purist" doesn’t compromise.
Mussolini rejected compromise because, in his view, the "strong" don’t compromise.
Newt Gingrich, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell and pals reject compromise because they see compromise as impure.
A "purist" doesn’t compromise.
15/ And here we are.
The 2020 election will not be left v. right.
It will not be over issues or policies.
The 2020 election will be about the kind of government we want: Rule of Law or Cult of Leadership.
In 2020, Democracy will be on the ballot.
The 2020 election will not be left v. right.
It will not be over issues or policies.
The 2020 election will be about the kind of government we want: Rule of Law or Cult of Leadership.
In 2020, Democracy will be on the ballot.
16/ You'll notice that "they are compromised and being blackmailed" is not on my list of reasons the GOP lets Trump get away with lawbreaking.
Why? See my latest on the Demcast blog: demcastusa.com/2020/03/28/no-…
(My blog is acting up at the moment)
Why? See my latest on the Demcast blog: demcastusa.com/2020/03/28/no-…
(My blog is acting up at the moment)
17/ This is "whataboutism," a propaganda technique.
The person doesn't deny wrongdoing on the part of their leader, but they claim all leaders engage in similar tactics.
It's confusing for casual listeners, effective, and cynical. . .
The person doesn't deny wrongdoing on the part of their leader, but they claim all leaders engage in similar tactics.
It's confusing for casual listeners, effective, and cynical. . .
18/ . . . it creates an "us v. them" tribal politics.
"He's a lying crook, but he's our lying crook and his lies help destroy the enemies (Democrats, etc.)"
It increases the polarization. It's an extreme cynicism that leads to nihilism. Nihilism destroys democracy . . .
"He's a lying crook, but he's our lying crook and his lies help destroy the enemies (Democrats, etc.)"
It increases the polarization. It's an extreme cynicism that leads to nihilism. Nihilism destroys democracy . . .
19/ . . . because if all politicians are corrupt, it doesn't matter who we vote for, or whether we vote.
Liberal democracy right now is being hit from all sides.
I agree⤵️
One mistake I see is people calling the current GOP conservative.
It isn't . . .
Liberal democracy right now is being hit from all sides.
I agree⤵️
One mistake I see is people calling the current GOP conservative.
It isn't . . .
20/ . . . radicalized destroyers have co-opted the term "conservative" to make themselves sound benign.
And yes, racism underlies what we are witnessing.
The fear that the government isn't legitimate is fueled by fear that "others" are placed ahead of "real" Americans.
And yes, racism underlies what we are witnessing.
The fear that the government isn't legitimate is fueled by fear that "others" are placed ahead of "real" Americans.
21/ Also, the term "charismatic" leader (understandably) confused some people.
The term is from Max Weber, who died in 1920. I used his concepts, so I used his word.
Weber used the term in a highly specialized sense.
"Demagogue" might work better, but Weber nails the concept.
The term is from Max Weber, who died in 1920. I used his concepts, so I used his word.
Weber used the term in a highly specialized sense.
"Demagogue" might work better, but Weber nails the concept.
22/ For many, that's not how they see it. They think they are purists.
Take the libertarians: They truly believe that the entire federal government is unconstitutional.
Many think they are morally obligated to destroy what is not legal. . .
Take the libertarians: They truly believe that the entire federal government is unconstitutional.
Many think they are morally obligated to destroy what is not legal. . .
23/ . . . particularly because they not only believe the federal government is illegal and unconstitutional, they also believe it immorally infringes on their liberty rights.
So they feel morally justified.
Others genuinely believe the Democrats are enemies of America.
So they feel morally justified.
Others genuinely believe the Democrats are enemies of America.
24/ Others (as I mentioned) are greedy and want power.
When you look at hard numbers, though, those who want democracy to survive outnumber those who don't.
Those who don't have varied reasons.
This is why I say democracy will be on the ballot in 2020.
This will be the issue.
When you look at hard numbers, though, those who want democracy to survive outnumber those who don't.
Those who don't have varied reasons.
This is why I say democracy will be on the ballot in 2020.
This will be the issue.
Here is this thread as a blog post: terikanefield-blog.com/2020-democracy…
Here's your spoonful of sugar to help this difficult thread go down.
Because every thread about democracy in peril absolutely requires cute kitties.
