Authoritarianism

Quincy, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment) – During the Presidential campaign, some very respectable voices expressed concern that the current administration might be planning a coup against the Constitution. Now hope of peace prevails even though intransigence at the top and a closing window of opportunity should, logically, intensify concerns. Is the threat of a […]

Authoritarianism

Ritual Coup: Republicans hope that by Performing a One-Party State, they will one Day Achieve it

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Today’s Republican Party is one big denial of reality. If it were only that, however, it would merely be madness. Rather, the denial of reality is a form of ultimate power-seeking. In the bizarre mental world of Republicans, Joe Biden lost the presidential race. Some 75% of them tell pollsters […]

Authoritarianism

What Trump’s claim of a ‘stolen election’ means for activists today

George Lakey

( Waging Nonviolence ) – I’m encountering a great deal of alarm among progressive activists regarding continued Republican claims of a stolen election. Do these anti-democratic efforts mean a coup attempt is under way? Despite being among the first to write about the possibilities of a coup, I have to say (as of this moment) […]

Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism is Growing Around the World, but from Bolivia to Nigeria, People Power is pushing Back

John Feffer

Authoritarianism has been on the march for years, but people powered revolutions are pushing regimes toward democracy on nearly every continent. ( Foreign Policy in Focus ) – Despite all the obstacles, Americans are voting in huge numbers prior to Election Day. With a week to go, nearly 70 million voters have sent in their […]

Authoritarianism

Trump’s ideal Strong man, Putin, orders Nationwide Mask Mandate, as US Flounders under weak Leadership

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump is well known for fawning all over Vladimir Putin, Russia’s autocrat who styles himself “president” from victories in phony elections. Back when he was campaigning the first time, Trump said of Mr. Putin, “I’ve already said he is very much of a leader. The man has very strong control […]

Authoritarianism

The United States of Paranoia — From the Salem Witch Hunt to Conspirator-in-Chief Donald Trump

Tomdispatch

By Steve Fraser | – ( Tomdispatch.com) – News is “faked”; elections are “rigged”; a “deep state” plots a “coup”; Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died suspiciously in bed with a pillow over his face; aides of ex-president Barack Obama conspire to undermine foreign policy from a “war room”; Obama himself was a Muslim mole; […]

Authoritarianism

Patriotism, American Style: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Bahman Fozouni

Sacramento, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment) – What is Patriotism? Let’s begin with the difficult part: defining and understanding patriotism. Patriotism refers to the feelings and behaviors of individuals and groups who see themselves belonging to a large community called a nation, and who identify intensely with it. When the chips are down, those who […]

Authoritarianism

Trump and Kim Jong Un both Defy Coronavirus with Monumentally Stupid Monumental Gatherings

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – On Saturday, Kim Jong Un insists on having a huge parade in honor of the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, and Trump insists on having a crowd on the grounds of the White House. Then on Monday, Trump will hold a rally north of Orlando, Florida. Trump’s rallies […]

Authoritarianism

Surviving the long Trump Pandemic+ or, 210,000 didn’t Have to Die

Frida Berrigan

(Tomdispatch.com ) – After all these months and 210,000 deaths, you’d think I’d be used to it all, but I’m not. It doesn’t seem even a little normal yet. I’m still full of absences, missing so much I used to take for granted: hugs and handshakes, rooms crowded for funerals and weddings, potluck dinners and […]