Some people argue that because (1) Trump is incompetent, and (2) our institutions are durable, it means that, even though (3) Trump tried to steal the election, (4) our pre- and post-election fears of election theft are unjustified.
I have significant problems with this argument
I have significant problems with this argument
https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1336433619108155392
(3) is pretty secure.
But I put pressure on (1) and (2).
While it's true that Trump himself is incapable of pulling off a sophisticated steal, he sits at the helm of a political superstructure that is professionally and financially incentivized by his winning reelection.
But I put pressure on (1) and (2).
While it's true that Trump himself is incapable of pulling off a sophisticated steal, he sits at the helm of a political superstructure that is professionally and financially incentivized by his winning reelection.
I understand—and agree with—having faith in our institutions.
But I don't get how anyone with a basic respect for the allurement of political power could watch what Trump has tried to do and still conclude, "Well, *obviously* America's guardrails were always going to hold."
But I don't get how anyone with a basic respect for the allurement of political power could watch what Trump has tried to do and still conclude, "Well, *obviously* America's guardrails were always going to hold."
What justifies (4) is *not* that the Founders bequeathed a bad system. Our institutions are legendarily resilient.
What justifies (4) is that no set of institutions is invulnerable to capture. There were good reasons to think our current circumstances could have led to it.
What justifies (4) is that no set of institutions is invulnerable to capture. There were good reasons to think our current circumstances could have led to it.
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