Just the first of many Trumps
March 3, 2016 2:28 AM Subscribe
The rise of American authoritarianism An investigation into the seemingly inexplicable appeal of a far-right, orange-toned populist with no real political experience, and why we should worry about him. (SLVox)
This post was deleted for the following reason: On reflection, I'd suggest maybe adding this to one of the existing, open threads. -- goodnewsfortheinsane
This is interesting. As a foreigner I had assumed that the Republican party was always authoritarian in this sense, ie inclined to respond to perceived threats to 'normal' from without or within with forceful intervention or suppression, but I must have the wrong end of the stick somewhere.
posted by Segundus at 3:21 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Segundus at 3:21 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
"Always" is a very big word.
Lincoln was a Republican.
posted by flabdablet at 3:25 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
Lincoln was a Republican.
posted by flabdablet at 3:25 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ok, "always" since 1964. No, Segundus, some of us natives share your perceptions.
posted by Chitownfats at 3:31 AM on March 3, 2016
posted by Chitownfats at 3:31 AM on March 3, 2016
The election of Trump may be a real test of one essential element of America that is not always voiced but perhaps more essential than voting: "separation of powers". Will the new president be able to build a wall, export ALL the illegal aliens, totally restrict Muslims? He may discover that there are LAWS that restrict his directives and that even if the Republican party has a majority in the congress it is still hard to pass just any legislation. Mass deportation may not stand up in the Supreme Court, just hard to know a prori.
(not that there is anything right about trump :-)
posted by sammyo at 3:45 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
(not that there is anything right about trump :-)
posted by sammyo at 3:45 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
I would argue Trump is not the first, nor is his rise somehow essentially American. These pro-authoritarian voters are universal.
Consider pre-1964 when you could argue that most US voters were "low information" voters. Andrew Jackson clearly and, just as clearly, even Eisenhower meets the definition. These voters also went strongly for Nixon - against the dirty hippies - and Reagan. Uncertainty and reaction against rapid change sets the stage.
posted by sudogeek at 3:54 AM on March 3, 2016
Consider pre-1964 when you could argue that most US voters were "low information" voters. Andrew Jackson clearly and, just as clearly, even Eisenhower meets the definition. These voters also went strongly for Nixon - against the dirty hippies - and Reagan. Uncertainty and reaction against rapid change sets the stage.
posted by sudogeek at 3:54 AM on March 3, 2016
So, a constant beating of the Fear Drum has awakened the mass reptilian brain? Thanks Fox!
posted by jim in austin at 4:10 AM on March 3, 2016
posted by jim in austin at 4:10 AM on March 3, 2016
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Or, you know, not.
posted by flabdablet at 3:18 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]