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‘It Couldn’t Happen Here’ (?)

Back in the 1930′s, with storm clouds gathering over Europe and authoritarian regimes gaining power there, American writer Sinclair Lewis wrote a satirical novel called ‘It Couldn’t Happen Here’ about a fascist takeover of America.

What the book suggested, to chilling effect, was that actually it could happen in the USA given the right coincidence of circumstance and leader. The main character in the story, ‘Buzz’ Windrip, is a populist demagogue who gains power by playing on the fears and prejudices of white voters with a mix of coarse language and nativist ideology. He manages to attract and energize a fanatically loyal ‘base’ by attacking immigrants, people on welfare, and the liberal press.

Does any of that sound at all familiar? The language and writing style of the book seem dated now but its premise has an alarmingly contemporary resonance. I wonder if Donald Trump ever read this book? It’s doubtful since he reputedly hates books and reading. Whitehouse aides complain he rejects written briefings and can only be coaxed to focus on very simple, visual presentations. Mostly his information comes from watching Fox ‘News’ or whoever he spoke to last.

Strange then that such a reading-averse book-hater, who often stumbles when forced to read from a teleprompter, was so interested by one book in particular. That book was Adolf Hitler’s ‘My New Order’. According to Trump’s first wife, Ivana, he kept it in a locked bedside cabinet and studied it. The book is a collection of Hitler’s speeches and provides a primer on how to manipulate the gullible for any budding authoritarian demagogue.

Of course it may have been a complete coincidence that Trump studied Adolf Hitler’s book about speeches so assiduously and then later, as President, became renowned himself (notorious is perhaps a better word) for making speeches full of inflammatory rhetoric and hate at carefully orchestrated rallies to massed ranks of adoring followers wearing a uniform of red MAGA hats.

And it may be coincidence that the techniques Trump uses so successfully in speaking at those rallies closely resemble those of Hitler, featuring constant repetition, hammering away over and over again at a few simpistic slogans, stoking resentment towards ‘elites’ and hatred of dangerous ‘others’ that only he can save America from. Speeches full of boasting and lies that his followers uncritically believe because, to them, he is infallible. Their ‘strong-man’ savior.

Wherever he got his inspiration from, though, Trump is not ‘Hitler’ reincarnated, however tempting that may be for his critics to say. His followers aren’t ‘Nazi’s’ (not all of them anyway, although some do claim to be). Obviously there is no direct, point-for-point correspondence between the rise of Hitler and the rise of Donald Trump. Their specific beliefs and aims are not the same. America now is not Germany in the 1930′s. All of that is acknowledged.

However, while history does not repeat itself exactly, there are worrying echoes of the past in what is happening now in America and elsewhere that it would be foolish to ignore. Trumpism in America has coincided with the alarming rise of similar right-wing, nativist populism in other countries. Growing numbers of people seem to crave, or at least be willing to accept, authoritarian rulers. It’s almost as though nobody has read a history book. As if the carnage of WW2 never happened and the evils of Nazi and Fascist regimes are forgotten.

Democracy is a powerful but fragile thing. There are no guarantees it will last forever. Every generation must be vigilant and prepared to defend it against those who would destroy it. The threat may not come overnight in the form of a violent coup or tanks on the streets. It can happen gradually over time through an erosion of political norms; a disregard for the rule of law; an acceptance of boundaries crossed and abnormal behavior.

Steven Levitsky, in ‘How Democracies Die’, wrote that “The drift into authoritarianism doesn’t always set off alarm bells. Citizens are often slow to realize that their democracy is being dismantled even as it happens before their eyes.” That’s true. Danger can creep up, a little at a time, so that before you know what’s happening it’s too late. Things can seem okay until, one day, you realize you’ve passed a tipping point and there’s no going back.

We’re not at that tipping point yet but we may be heading towards it. Democracy in America is at risk. Trump’s minions are blocking bi-partisan attempts to protect the 2020 election from the foreign interference intelligence agencies have clearly warned is coming. Each day the country drifts closer towards constitutional crisis. So far traditional checks and balances have failed to reign in the authoritarian instincts of a President with little regard for the law or the constitution. This is not normal. It feels like something that seemed indestructible is being broken.

‘It couldn’t happen here’ ? I hope not but, right now, nobody can be certain.

Internet Writer.

Article taken from HERE.