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Snyder argues that tyrannical leaders use crisis and terror attacks to destroy democratic institutions and take away citizens’ liberties. Explain with examples. Snyder writes, “For us, the lesson is that our natural fear and grief must not enable the destruction of our institutions.” (page 110) What does the author mean? Can you think of examples of how current politicians exploit our fears in ways that could potentially lead to the destruction of our democratic institutions?
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I don’t think the current US government is even waiting for a terrorist attack, but they certainly are manufacturing a lot of crises all on their own, whether intentional or not. Whether it be tariffs affecting the economy, DOGE mayhem affecting government programs, or Signalgate, where classified intel is being leaked by their own administrators.Â
tRump has already declared a kind of “state of emergency” by deploying the Alien Enemies Act to deport people out of the country or to detain them without due process. ICE is snatching young people off the streets in broad daylight, as they did this week with the Turkish student attending Tufts University, moving her to another state despite a court order not to do so (source: https://apnews.com/article/tufts-student-detained-massachusetts-immigration-6c3978da98a8d0f39ab311e092ffd892)
Reading the news and seeing the propaganda out of the White House re: how immigrants and foreign visitors are being treated—it sure seems like they are behaving like “terror managers,” as Snyder describes. Showing people with their heads getting shaved, in shackles and crouching—the domination, dehumanization, and cruelty are the message. Kristi Noem’s visit to the El Salvador prison this week is just the latest example of making a spectacle of fear. These instances not only stoke fear but they also undermine the judicial system and therefore are slowly destroying the rule of law.
If SignalGate is any example, the leadership is also extremely sloppy and arrogant when it comes to protecting military secrets, which can have very serious consequences for the safety of those serving, and for the country. They are already “sabre rattling” against multiple nations (allies and enemies alike). In just a few months, tRump has threatened the EU, Canada, Mexico, China, Palestine, Greenland, Panama, Ukraine, and Iran in various ways.Â
Removing funds from FEMA and NOAA and flooding millions of gallons of water from California’s water reservoirs almost guarantees there will be upcoming natural disasters in the US without sufficient ability to respond. Will the disasters be exploited to deploy the National Guard or extort demands from the states in ways we can’t imagine?
Removing monitoring of cyber surveillance on Russia, firing nuclear workers, cancelling food bank programs…the list goes on. Everything they are currently doing seems purposefully neglectful to the point of intentionally inviting disaster or inciting conflict. It seems to me they are stoking multiple fires to see what catches so that one or multiple crises will be exploited to consolidate more power.
It’s concerning that Trump is using much of the playbook of authoritarians and has Putin whispering in his ear. I found it particularly chilling how Snyder notes that Putin used a series of terror attacks — real, questionable, and fake — to remove obstacles to total power.Â
Everything appears to be being made more dangerous and more chaotic on purpose. This is an age-old tactic by autocrats because the more chaos they create, the more people are willing to give up their freedoms to restore order, but it comes at a tremendous cost—your liberties in return for the autocrats absolute power.
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What is happening is absolutely terrifying. I have been envisioning what a completely authoritarian US government looks like without any checks and balances, who have seized complete control of the country. Thankfully I do not believe that is completely true yet as the resistance is strong and growing. Snyder is encouraging calm to ensure that fear and other emotions do not distract us from thinking clearly, identifying solid plans of action and moving forward with the resistance with conviction. I do believe something even worse will happen that will enable the administration seize more power and control. It has happened so many times before in history, I am certain that it will happen again – something that may lead to martial law or such. When that happens, it will be even more terrifying, but I hope we will all be able to remain calm to help ourselves and others who oppose the administration find our path forward in restoring democracy.
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You are both right Katherine and Tara. I believe tRump is trying to create some kind of disaster so he can invoke a national emergency and call in martial law. If the military sides with the republican administration, if the military turns away from their pledge to uphold the constitution, if the military turns against its own people then all is lost.
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The administration is certainly using the playbook Snyder outlines. The challenge will be to not respond with reciprocal calls to destroy the institutions of government and civil society in response.
One of the things that fed the narrative of violence against the suburbs, code for the upstanding, working, tax-paying, contributing and worthy people, was the destruction the did occur following the murder of George Floyd. If any one or group succumbs to a violent or destructive response, it feeds the narrative of national emergency.
It will also be important for people to step up for other communities when natural disaster occurs and the federal response is a failure. I admit to a certain desire to say, “What were you expecting” but that would be counter-productive and fleeting satisfaction.
As folks have said, this administration is looking for an opportunity and willing to create one.
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