May1,20169:00p.m.

AmericaHasNeverBeenSoRipeforTyranny
ByAndrewSullivan

Democraciesendwhentheyaretoodemocratic.Illustration:ZoharLazar

Democraciesend
whentheyaretoodemocratic.
Andrightnow,Americaisabreedinggroundfortyranny.
IllustrationbyZoharLazar

Asthisdystopianelectioncampaignhasunfolded,mymindkeepsbeingtuggedbyapassagein
PlatosRepublic.IthasunsettledevensurprisedmefromthemomentIfirstreaditin

graduateschool.ThepassageisfromthepartofthedialoguewhereSocratesandhisfriendsare
talkingaboutthenatureofdifferentpoliticalsystems,howtheychangeovertime,andhowone
canslowlyevolveintoanother.AndSocratesseemedprettyclearononesoberingpoint:that
tyrannyisprobablyestablishedoutofnootherregimethandemocracy.WhatdidPlatomeanby
that?Democracy,forhim,Idiscovered,wasapoliticalsystemofmaximalfreedomandequality,
whereeverylifestyleisallowedandpublicofficesarefilledbyalottery.Andthelongera
democracylasted,Platoargued,themoredemocraticitwouldbecome.Itsfreedomswould
multiplyitsequalityspread.Deferencetoanysortofauthoritywouldwithertoleranceofanykind
ofinequalitywouldcomeunderintensethreatandmulticulturalismandsexualfreedomwould
createacityoracountrylikeamanycoloredcloakdecoratedinallhues.

Thisrainbowflagpolity,Platoargues,is,formanypeople,thefairestofregimes.Thefreedomin
thatdemocracyhastobeexperiencedtobebelievedwithshameandprivilegeinparticular
emergingovertimeasanathema.Butitisinherentlyunstable.Astheauthorityofelitesfades,as
Establishmentvaluescedetopopularones,viewsandidentitiescanbecomesomagnificently
diverseastobemutuallyuncomprehending.Andwhenallthebarrierstoequality,formaland
informal,havebeenremovedwheneveryoneisequalwhenelitesaredespisedandfulllicenseis
establishedtodowhateveronewants,youarriveatwhatmightbecalledlatestagedemocracy.
Thereisnokowtowingtoauthorityhere,letalonetopoliticalexperienceorexpertise.

Theveryrichcomeunderattack,asinequalitybecomesincreasinglyintolerable.Patriarchyisalso
dismantled:Wealmostforgottomentiontheextentofthelawofequalityandoffreedominthe
relationsofwomenwithmenandmenwithwomen.Familyhierarchiesareinverted:Afather
habituateshimselftobelikehischildandfearhissons,andasonhabituateshimselftobelikehis
fatherandtohavenoshamebeforeorfearofhisparents.Inclassrooms,astheteacher...is
frightenedofthepupilsandfawnsonthem,sothestudentsmakelightoftheirteachers.Animals
areregardedasequaltohumanstherichminglefreelywiththepoorinthestreetsandtryto
blendin.Theforeignerisequaltothecitizen.

Anditiswhenademocracyhasripenedasfullyasthis,Platoargues,thatawouldbetyrantwill
oftenseizehismoment.

Heisusuallyoftheelitebuthasanatureintunewiththetimegivenovertorandompleasures
andwhims,feastingonplentyoffoodandsex,andrevelinginthenonjudgmentthatis
democracyscivilreligion.Hemakeshismovebytakingoveraparticularlyobedientmoband
attackinghiswealthypeersascorrupt.Ifnotstoppedquickly,hisappetiteforattackingtherichon
behalfofthepeopleswellsfurther.Heisatraitortohisclassandsoon,hiseliteenemies,shorn
ofpopularlegitimacy,findawaytoappeasehimorareforcedtoflee.Eventually,hestandsalone,
promisingtocutthroughtheparalysisofdemocraticincoherence.Itsasifhewereofferingthe
addled,distracted,andselfindulgentcitizensakindofrelieffromdemocracysendlesschoices
andinsecurities.Heridesabacklashtoexcesstoomuchfreedomseemstochangeintonothing
buttoomuchslaveryandoffershimselfasthepersonifiedanswertotheinternalconflictsof
thedemocraticmess.Hepledges,aboveall,totakeontheincreasinglydespisedelites.Andasthe
peoplethrilltohimasakindofsolution,ademocracywillingly,evenimpetuously,repealsitself.

Andso,asIchitchattedovercocktailsataWashingtonofficeChristmaspartyinDecember,and

saw,loomingaboveourheads,thepulsating,angrytelevisedfaceofDonaldTrumponFoxNews,I
couldnthelpbutfeelalittlenauseapermeatemystomach.AndasIwatchedfrenziedTrump
ralliesonCSPANinthespring,andsawhimlaywastetofarmorequalifiedpoliticalpeersinthe
debatesbysimplycallingthemnames,thenauseaturnedtodread.Andwhenheseemedto
condonephysicalviolenceasaresponsetopoliticaldisagreement,alarmbellsstartedtoringinmy
head.Platohadplantedagnawingworryinmymindafewdecadesagoabouttheintrinsicdanger
oflatedemocraticlife.ItwasincreasinglyhardnottoseeinPlatosvisionamurkyreflectionof
ourownhyperdemocratictimesandinTrumpademagogic,tyrannicalcharacterpluckeddirectly
outofoneofthefirstbooksaboutpoliticseverwritten.

CoulditbethattheDonaldhasemergedfromthepopulistcircusesofprowrestlingandNewYork
Citytabloids,viarealitytelevisionandTwitter,toprovenotjustPlatobutalsoJamesMadison
right,thatdemocracieshaveeverbeenspectaclesofturbulenceandcontentionandhavein
generalbeenasshortintheirlivesastheyhavebeenviolentintheirdeaths?Ishetesting
democracyssingularweaknessitssusceptibilitytothedemagoguebyblastingthroughthe
firewallsweoncehadinplacetopreventsuchapersonfromseizingpower?OramIoverreacting?

Perhaps.Thenauseacomesandgoes,andtherehavebeendayswhenthenewsalgorithmhas
actuallyreassuredmethatpeakTrumphasarrived.Butithasntgoneaway,andneitherhas
Trump.Inthewakeofhismostrecentprimarytriumphs,atatimewhenheisperilouslycloseto
winningenoughdelegatestograbtheRepublicannominationoutright,Ithinkwemustconfront
thisdreadandbeclearaboutwhatthiselectionhasalreadyrevealedaboutthefragilityofourway
oflifeandthethreatlatestagedemocracyisbeginningtoposetoitself.

Plato,ofcourse,wasnotclairvoyant.Hisanalysisofhowdemocracycanturnintotyrannyisa
complexonemorekeyedtowardancientsocietiesthanourown(andcontainsmorewrinklesand
eddiesthanIcansummarizehere).Hisdisdainfordemocraticlifewasfueledinnosmallpartby
thefactthatademocracyhadexecutedhismentor,Socrates.Andhewould,Ithink,havebeen
astonishedathowAmericandemocracyhasbeenabletothrivewithunprecedentedstabilityover
thelastcoupleofcenturiesevenasithasbroughtmoreandmorepeopleintoitsembrace.It
remains,inmyview,amiracleofconstitutionalcraftsmanshipandculturalresilience.Thereisno
placeIwouldratherlive.Butitisnotimmortal,norshouldweassumeitisimmunetotheforces
thathaveendangereddemocracysomanytimesinhumanhistory.

PartofAmericandemocracysstabilityisowedtothefactthattheFoundingFathershadreadtheir
Plato.Toguardourdemocracyfromthetyrannyofthemajorityandthepassionsofthemob,they
constructedlarge,heftybarriersbetweenthepopularwillandtheexerciseofpower.Votingrights
weretightlycircumscribed.Thepresidentandvicepresidentwerenottobepopularlyelectedbut
selectedbyanElectoralCollege,whoserepresentativeswereselectedbythevariousstates,often
throughstatelegislatures.TheSenatesstructure(withtwomembersfromeverystate)was
designedtotemperthepowerofthemorepopulousstates,anditstermofoffice(sixyears,
comparedwithtwofortheHouse)wasdesignedtocoolandrestraintemporarypopulistpassions.
TheSupremeCourt,pickedbythepresidentandconfirmedbytheSenate,wasthefinalbulwark
againstanydemocraticfuriesthatmightpercolateupfromtheHouseandthreatenthe
Constitution.Thisseparationofpowerswasdesignedpreciselytocreatesturdyfirewallsagainst
democraticwildfires.

Overthecenturies,however,manyoftheseundemocraticruleshavebeenweakenedorabolished.
Thefranchisehasbeenextendedfarbeyondpropertiedwhitemen.Thepresidencyisnow
effectivelyelectedthroughpopularvote,withtheElectoralCollegealmostalwaysreflectingthe
nationaldemocraticwill.Andtheseformaldemocraticadvanceswereaccompaniedbyinformal
ones,asthecultureofdemocracyslowlytookdeeperroot.Foraverylongtime,onlytheelitesof
thepoliticalpartiescametoselecttheircandidatesattheirquadrennialconventions,withthevote
largelyrestrictedtopartyofficialsfromthevariousstates(andoftendecidedin,yes,smokefilled
roomsinlargehotelsuites).Beginningintheearly1900s,however,thepartiesbegan
experimentingwithprimaries,andafterthechaosofthe1968Democraticconvention,todaysfar
moredemocraticsystembecamethenorm.

DirectdemocracydidntjustelectCongressandthepresidentanymoreitexpandedthenotionof
whomightbequalifiedforpublicoffice.Once,candidatesbuiltacareerthroughexperiencein
electedorCabinetpositionsorasmilitarycommanderstheywereeffectivelyselectedbypeer
review.Thatelitistsortingmechanismhasslowlyimploded.In1940,WendellWillkie,a
businessmanwithnopreviouspoliticaloffice,wontheRepublicannominationforpresident,
pledgingtokeepAmericaoutofwarandboastingthathispersonalwealthinoculatedhimagainst
corruption:Iwillbeunderobligationtonobodyexceptthepeople.HelostbadlytoFranklinD.
Roosevelt,butnonetheless,sincethen,nonpoliticalcandidateshaveproliferated,fromRossPerot
andJesseJackson,toSteveForbesandHermanCain,tothisyearscropofBenCarson,Carly
Fiorina,and,ofcourse,DonaldJ.Trump.Thisfurtherwideningofourdemocracyourincreased
opennesstobeingledbyanyoneindeed,ouracceleratingpreferenceforoutsidersisnow
almostcomplete.

Thebarrierstothepopularwill,especiallywhenitcomestochoosingourpresident,arenow
almostnonexistent.In2000,GeorgeW.Bushlostthepopularvoteandwontheelectionthanksto
ElectoralCollegemathand,moreegregiously,toapartisanSupremeCourtvote.AlGores
eventualconcessionsparedthenationaconstitutionalcrisis,buttheepisodegenerated
widespreadunease,notjustamongDemocrats.Andthisyear,thedelegatesystemestablishedby
ourpoliticalpartiesisalsounderassault.Trumphasarguedthatthecandidatewiththemostvotes
shouldgettheRepublicannomination,regardlessoftherulesinplace.Itnowlooksasifhewont
evenneedtowinthatargumentthathellbankenoughdelegatestosecurethenomination
uncontestedbutheswonitanyway.FullyhalfofAmericansnowbelievethetraditional
nominatingsystemisrigged.

Manycontend,ofcourse,thatAmericandemocracyisactuallyinretreat,closetobeingdestroyed
bythevastlymoreunequaleconomyofthelastquartercenturyandtheabilityoftheveryrichto
purchasepoliticalinfluence.ThisisBernieSandersscorecritique.Butthepastfewpresidential
electionshavedemonstratedthat,infact,moneyfromtheultrarichhasbeenmostlyadud.Barack
Obama,whose2008campaignwaspropelledbysmalldonorsandempoweredbytheinternet,
blazedthetrailofthemoderndayinsurrectionist,defeatingtheprohibitivefavoriteinthe
DemocraticprimaryandlaterhisRepublicanopponent(bothpillarsoftheirparties
Establishmentsandbackedbymoneyedelites).In2012,thefundraisingpowerbehindMitt
RomneyavataroftheonepercentfailedtodislodgeObamafromoffice.Andinthis
presidentialcycle,thebreakoutcandidatesofbothpartieshavesoaredwithoutfinancialsupport

fromtheelites.Sanders,whoissustaininghiscampaignallthewaytoCaliforniaonthebacksof
smalldonorsandlargecrowds,is,toputitbluntly,awalkingrefutationofhisownargument.
Trump,ofcourse,isalargelyselffundingbillionairebutlikeWillkie,hearguesthathiswealth
uniquelyenableshimtoresisttheinfluenceoftherichandtheirlobbyists.Thosedespairingover
theinfluenceofBigMoneyinAmericanpoliticsmustalsoexplaintheswift,humiliatingdemiseof
JebBushandthestrugglingEstablishmentcampaignofHillaryClinton.Theevidencesuggests
thatdirectdemocracy,farfrombeingthrottled,isactuallyintensifyingitsgriponAmerican
politics.

Noneofthisisnecessarilycauseforalarm,eventhoughitwouldbegivingtheFoundingFathers
palpitations.Theemergenceofthefirstblackpresidentunimaginablebeforeourmoreinclusive
democracyismiraculous,astrengthening,ratherthanweakening,ofthesystem.Thedayswhen
partymachinesjustfixedthingsorriggedelectionsaremercifullydonewith.Thewayinwhich
outsidercandidates,fromObamatoTrumpandSanders,havebroughtmillionsofnewpeopleinto
theelectoralprocessisanunmitigatedadvance.Theinclusionofpreviouslyexcludedvoiceshelps,
ratherthanimpedes,ourpublicdeliberation.Butitispreciselybecauseofthegreat
accomplishmentsofourdemocracythatweshouldbevigilantaboutitsspecific,unique
vulnerability:itssusceptibility,instressfultimes,totheappealofashamelessdemagogue.

Whatthe21stcenturyaddedtothispicture,itsnowblindinglyobvious,wasmediademocracy
inatrulyrevolutionaryform.Iflatestagepoliticaldemocracyhastakentwocenturiestoripen,
themediaequivalenttookaroundtwodecades,swiftlyerasingalmostanyelitemoderationor
controlofourdemocraticdiscourse.Theprocesshaditsoriginsinpartisantalkradioattheendof
thepastcentury.Theriseoftheinternetaneventsoswiftandpervasiveitspoliticaleffectis
onlynowbeginningtobeunderstoodfurtherdemocratizedeverysourceofinformation,
dramaticallyexpandedeachoutletsreadership,andgaveeveryoneaplatform.Alltheoldbarriers
toentrythecostofprintandpaperanddistributioncrumbled.

Somuchofthiswaswelcome.Irelisheditmyselfintheearlyaughts,startingablogandsoon
reachingasmanyreaders,ifnotmore,assomesmallmagazinesdo.Fustyoldmediainstitutions,
grownfatandlazy,deservedadrubbing.Theearlyindependentblogospherecorrectedfacts,
exposedbias,earnedscoops.Andasthemediummatured,andasFacebookandTwittertookhold,
everyonebecameakindofblogger.Inwaysno20thcenturyjournalistwouldhavebelieved,weall
nowhaveourownvirtualnewspapersonourFacebooknewsfeedsandTwittertimelinespicking
storiesfromcountlesssourcesandcreatingapeertopeermediaalmostcompletelyfreeofediting
orinterferencebyelites.Thiswasboundtomakepoliticsmorefluid.Politicalorganizingcalling
ameeting,fomentingarallytoadvanceacauseusedtobeextremelylaborious.Nowyoucould
bringtogetheravirtualmassmovementwithasinglewebpage.Itwouldtakeyouafewseconds.

Thewebwasalsouniquelycapableofabsorbingotherformsofmedia,conflatinggenresand
categoriesinwaysneverseenbefore.Thedistinctionbetweenpoliticsandentertainmentbecame
fuzzierelectioncoveragebecameevenmoremodeledonsportscastingyourPornhubjostledright
nexttoyourmothersFacebookpage.Thewebsalgorithmsallbutremovedanyeditorial
judgment,andtheeffectsoonhadcablenewsabandoningeventhepretenseofaskingIsthis
relevant?orDowereallyneedtocoverthislive?intherushtowardratingsbonanzas.Inthe
end,allthesecategorieswerereducedtoonething:traffic,measuredfarmoreaccuratelythanany

othermediumhadeverdonebefore.

AndwhatmainlyfuelsthisispreciselywhattheFoundersfearedaboutdemocraticculture:feeling,
emotion,andnarcissism,ratherthanreason,empiricism,andpublicspiritedness.Onlinedebates
becomepersonal,emotional,andirresolvablealmostassoonastheybegin.GodwinsLawits
onlyamatteroftimebeforeacommentssectionbringsupHitlerisareflectionofthecollapseof
thereasoneddeliberationtheFounderssawasindispensabletoafunctioningrepublic.

Yes,occasionalrationalpointsstillflybackandforth,buttherearedramaticallyfewerelite
arbiterstoestablishwhichofthosepointsisactuallytrueorvalidorrelevant.Wehavelost
authoritativesourcesforevenacommonsetoffacts.Andwithoutsuchcommonempiricalground,
theemotionalcomponentofpoliticsbecomesinflamedandreasonretreatsevenfurther.Themore
emotivethecandidate,themoresupportersheorshewillget.

Politically,weluckedoutatfirst.Obamawouldneverhavebeennominatedforthepresidency,let
aloneelected,ifhehadntharnessedthepowerofthewebandthecharismaofhismediacelebrity.
Buthewasalso,paradoxically,averyelitefigure,aformerstateandU.S.senator,aproductof
HarvardLawSchool,and,asitturnedout,blessedwithapreternaturallyrationalandcalm
disposition.Sohehasmasked,temporarily,therealrisksinthesystemthathispioneering
campaignrevealed.HencemanyDemocratsfrustrationwithhim.Thosewhosawinhiscampaign
theseedsofrevolutionarychange,whoweredrawntohimbytheirownmessianicdelusions,came
tobebitterlydisappointedbyhisgoverningmoderationandpragmatism.

TheclimateObamathrivedin,however,wasalsoripeforfarlessrestrainedopportunists.In2008,
SarahPalinemergedasproofthatanardentRepublican,brandedasanoutsider,tailormadefor
realityTV,proudofherownignoranceabouttheworld,andreachinganaudiencedirectlythrough
onlinemedia,couldalsotriumphinthisnewera.Shewas,itturnedout,aJohntheBaptistforthe
truemessiahofconservativepopulism,waitingpatientlyandstrategicallyforhistimetocome.

Trump,wenowknow,hadbeenconsideringrunningforpresidentfordecades.Thosewho
didntseehimcomingorkepttreatinghimasajokehadnotyetabsorbedtheprecedentsof
ObamaandPalinorthepowerofthenewwideopensystemtochangetherulesofthepolitical
game.Trumpwasasunderratedforallof2015asObamawasin2007andforthesamereasons.
HeintuitivelygraspedthevanishingauthorityofAmericanpoliticalandmediaelites,andhehad
longfashionedapublicpersonaperfectlyattunedtoblastpastthem.

Despitehisimmensewealthandinheritedprivilege,Trumphadalwayscultivatedacommon
touch.Hedidnothidehiswealthinthelate20thcentury
(http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/01/donaldtrumptimeline.html)heflaunteditin
awaythatconnectedwiththemasses.Helivedtherichmanslifemostworkingmendreamedof
endlessglamourandwomen,forexamplewithoutsacrificingawayoftalkingabouttheworld
thatwouldnotbeoutofplaceontheconstructionsitesheregularlytoured.Hiswasacultof
democraticaspiration.His1987book,TheArtoftheDeal(http://www.amazon.com/Trump
ArtDealDonaldJ/dp/0345479173),promiseditsreadersapathtoinstantsuccesshis
appearancesonTheHowardSternShowcementedhisappeal.HisfriendshipwithVince
McMahonofferedhimanearlyentreintotheworldofprofessionalwrestling,withitsfusionof

sportsandfantasy.Hewasamachomediasuperstar.

OneofthemoreamazingepisodesinSarahPalinsearlypoliticallife,infact,bearsthisout.She
poppedupintheAnchorageDailyNewsasacommercialfishermanfromWasillaonApril3,
1996.PalinhadtoldherhusbandshewasgoingtoCostcobuthadsneakedintoJ.C.Penneyin
AnchoragetoseeoneIvanaTrump,who,inthewakeofherdivorce,wastoutingherbranded
perfume.WewanttoseeIvana,Palintoldthepaper,becausewearesodesperateinAlaskafor
anysemblanceofglamourandculture.

Trumpassiduouslycultivatedthisimage(http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/03/trumpblames
histvcharacterforsexistremarks.html)andtooktorealitytelevisionasanatural.Eachweek,for
14seasonsofTheApprentice,hewouldlooksomeoneintheeyeandtellthem,Yourefired!The
conversationmosthumanebossesfeartohavewithanemployeewassomethingTrumpclearly
relished,andthecrueltybecameentertainment.Inretrospect,itisclearhewastrainingboth
himselfandhisviewers.Ifyouwanttounderstandwhyafiguresowidelydislikednonetheless
powerstowardtheelectionasifhewereapproachingarealityTVshowfinale,looknofurther.His
televisiontactics,asappliedtopresidentialdebates,wipedoutrivalsusedtoadifferentgame.And
allourrealityTVtraininghasconditionedustohopehellwinoratleaststayinthegametill
thefinalround.Insuchashamefreemediaenvironment,theassholesoftenwin.Intheend,you
supportthembecausetheyreassholes.

InEricHoffersclassic1951tract,TheTrueBeliever(http://www.amazon.com/True
BelieverThoughtsMovementsPerennial/dp/0060505915),hesketchesthedynamicsofa
genuinemassmovement.HewasthinkingoftheupheavalsinEuropeinthefirsthalfofthe
century,butthebookremainssobering,especiallynow.Hofferscoreinsightwastolocatethe
sourceofalltrulymassmovementsinacollectivesenseofacutefrustration.Notdespair,orrevolt,
orresignationbutfrustrationsimmeringwithrage.Massmovements,henotes(asdid
Tocquevillecenturiesbeforehim),rarelyarisewhenoppressionormiseryisatitsworst(say,
2009)theytendtoappearwhentheworstisbehindusbutthefutureseemsnotsomuchbetter
(say,2016).Itiswhenarecoveryfinallygathersspeedandsomeimprovementistangiblebutnot
yetwidespreadthattheangerbeginstorise.Afterthesufferingofrecessionorunemployment,and
despitehardworkwithstagnantordwindlingpay,thefuturestretchesaheadwithreliefjustoutof
reach.Whenthosewhohelpedcreatethelastrecessionfacenoconsequencesbutrenewed
fabulouswealth,theangerreachesacrescendo.

Thedeeper,longtermreasonsfortodaysragearenothardtofind,althoughmanyofuselites
haveshamefullyfoundourselvesabletoignorethem.Thejobsavailabletotheworkingclassno
longercontainthekindofcraftsmanshiporsatisfactionormeaningthatcantakethestingoutof
theirlowandstagnantwages.Theoncefamiliaravenuesforsocializationthechurch,theunion
hall,theVFWhavebecomelessvibrantandsocialisolationmorecommon.Globaleconomic
forceshavepummeledbluecollarworkersmorerelentlesslythanalmostanyothersegmentof
society,forcingthemtocompeteagainsthundredsofmillionsofequallyskilledworkers
throughouttheplanet.Nooneaskedtheminthe1990sifthiswasthefuturetheywanted.Andthe
impacthasbeenmorebrutalthanmanyeconomistspredicted.Nowondersuicideandmortality
ratesamongthewhiteworkingpoorarespikingdramatically.

Itisusuallythosewhosepovertyisrelativelyrecent,thenewpoor,whothrobwiththefermentof
frustration,Hofferargues.Fundamentalistreligionlongprovidedsomeemotionalsupportfor
thoseleftbehind(foronething,itinvitespractitionerstodefytheelitesasunholy),butits
influencehaswanedasmodernityhaspenetratedalmosteverythingandthegreatculturewarsof
the1990sand2000shaveendedinarout.Theresulthasbeenamorediversemainstreamculture
butalso,simultaneously,asubculturethatisevenmorealienatedanddespised,andevermore
infuriatedandbloodyminded.

Thisisanageinwhichawomanmightsucceedablackmanaspresident,butalsooneinwhicha
memberofthewhiteworkingclasshasdecliningoptionstomakeadecentliving.Thisisatime
whengaypeoplecanbemarriedin50states,evenasworkingclassfamiliesarehangingbya
thread.Itsaperiodinwhichwehavebecomefarmoreawareofthehistoricinjusticesthatstill
hauntAfricanAmericansandyetwetreatthedesperateplightoftodayswhiteworkingclassasan
afterthought.Andsolatestagecapitalismiscreatingarighteous,revolutionaryangerthatlate
stagedemocracyhaspreciouslittleabilitytomoderateorconstrainandhasactuallyhelped
exacerbate.

Forthewhiteworkingclass,havinghadtheirmoralsroundlymocked,theirreligiondeemed
primitive,andtheireconomicprospectsdecimated,nowfindtheirverygenderandrace,indeed
theverywaytheytalkaboutreality,describedasakindofproblemforthenationtoovercome.
ThisisjustoneaspectofwhatTrumphasmasterfullysignaledaspoliticalcorrectnessrunamok,
orwhatmightbebetterdescribedasthenewlyrigidprogressivepassionforracialandsexual
equalityofoutcome,ratherthantheliberalaspirationtomereequalityofopportunity.

Muchofthenewlyenergizedlefthascometoseethewhiteworkingclassnotasalliesbutprimarily
asbigots,misogynists,racists,andhomophobes,therebycondemningthoseoftenatthenear
bottomrungoftheeconomytothebottomrungofthecultureaswell.Astrugglingwhitemanin
theheartlandisnowtoldtocheckhisprivilegebystudentsatIvyLeaguecolleges.Evenifyou
agreethattheprivilegeexists,itshardnottoempathizewiththeobjectofthisdisdain.These
workingclasscommunities,alreadyalienated,hearhowcantheynot?theglibandeasy
dismissalsofwhitestraightmenastheultimatesourceofallourwoes.Theysmellthe
condescensionandthebroadgeneralizationsaboutthemallofwhichwouldberepellentif
directedatracialminoritiesandseethemselves,inHofferswords,disinheritedandinjuredby
anunjustorderofthings.

Andsotheywait,andtheysteam,andtheylashout.Thiswaspartoftheemotionalforceofthetea
party:notjusttheadvancementofracialminorities,gays,andwomenbutthesimultaneous
demonizationofthewhiteworkingclassworld,itscultureandwayoflife.Obamaneverintended
this,buthebecameasymboltomanyofthisculturalmarginalization.TheBlackLivesMatterleft
stokedthefiresstillfurthersodidthegayleft,forwhomthewordmagnanimityseemsunknown,
eveninthewakeofstunningsuccesses.AndastheteapartysweptthroughWashingtonin2010,
asitsrepresentativesrepeatedlyheldthegovernmentbudgethostage,threatenedtheverycreditof
theU.S.,andrefusedtoholdhearingsonaSupremeCourtnominee,theAmericanpoliticaland
mediaEstablishmentmostlychosetointerpretsuchbehaviorassomethingotherthan
unprecedented.ButTrumpsawwhatothersdidnt,justasHoffernoted:Thefrustratedindividual
andthetruebelievermakebetterprognosticatorsthanthosewhohavereasontowantthe

preservationofthestatusquo.

Massmovements,Hofferargues,aredistinguishedbyafacilityformakebelievecredulity,a
readinesstoattempttheimpossible.What,onewonders,couldbemoreimpossiblethansuddenly
vettingeverysinglevisitortotheU.S.fortracesofIslamicbelief?Whatcouldbemoremake
believethanabig,beautifulwallstretchingacrosstheentireMexicanborder,paidforbythe
Mexicangovernment?Whatcouldbemorecredulousthanarguingthatwecouldpayoffour
nationaldebtthroughaglobaltradewar?Inaconventionalpoliticalparty,andinarational
politicaldiscourse,suchideaswouldbelaughedoutofcontention,theirselfevidentimpossibility
disqualifyingthemfromseriousconsideration.Intheemotionalfervorofademocraticmass
movement,however,theseimpossibilitiesbecomeiconsofhope,symbolsofanewwayof
conductingpolitics.Theirveryimpossibilityistheirappeal.

Butthemostpowerfulengineforsuchamovementthethingthatgetsitofftheground,shapes
andsolidifiesandentrenchesitisalwaystheevocationofhatred.Itis,asHofferputit,the
mostaccessibleandcomprehensiveofallunifyingelements.AndsoTrumplaunchedhis
campaign(http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/insidethedonaldtrump
presidentialcampaign.html)bycallingundocumentedMexicanimmigrantsapopulationlargely
ofrapistsandmurderers.HemovedontoMuslims,bothathomeandabroad.Hehasnowadded
totheseenemieswithslybrilliancetheRepublicanEstablishmentitself.Andwhatmakes
TrumpuniquelydangerousinthehistoryofAmericanpoliticswithfarbroadernationalappeal
than,say,HueyLongorGeorgeWallaceishisresponsetoallthreeenemies.Itsthethreatof
bluntcoercionanddominance.

AndsoafterdemonizingmostundocumentedMexicanimmigrants,hethenvowedtoroundup
anddeportall11millionofthembyforce.Theyhavetogowasthetypicallybluntphraseheused
andsomehowpeopledidntimmediatelyrecognizethemonstroushistoricalechoes.Thesheer
scaleofthepoliceandmilitaryoperationthatthispolicywouldentailbogglesthemind.Worse,he
emphasized,afterthemassmurderinSanBernardino,thateventheMuslimAmericansyouknow
intimatelymayturnaroundandmassacreyouatanyjuncture.Theressomethinggoingon,he
declaimedominously,givinglegitimacytothemosthystericalanduglyofhumanimpulses.

Tocallthisfascismdoesntdojusticetofascism.Fascismhad,insomemeasure,anideologyand
occasionalcoherencethatTrumputterlylacks.Buthismovementisclearlyfascisticinits
demonizationofforeigners,itshypingofathreatbyadomesticminority(MuslimsandMexicans
arethenewJews),itsfocusonasinglesupremeleaderofwhatcanonlybecalledacult,andits
deepbeliefinviolenceandcoercioninademocracythathasheretoforereliedondebateand
persuasion.ThisistheWeimaraspectofourcurrentmoment.JustastheEnglishCivilWarended
withadictatorshipunderOliverCromwell,andtheFrenchRevolutiongaveusNapoleon
Bonaparte,andtheunstablechaosofRussiandemocracyyieldedtoVladimirPutin,andthemost
recentburstofEgyptiandemocracysettheconditionsforGeneralelSisiscoup,soourparalyzed,
emotionalhyperdemocracyleadsthestumbling,frustrated,angryvotertowardthechimerical
panaceaofTrump.

Hisresponsetohisthirdvauntedenemy,theRNC,isalsolacedwiththethreatofviolence.There
willberiotsinClevelandifhedoesntgethisway.TheRNCwillhavearoughtimeifitdoesnt

cooperate.PaulRyan,Idontknowhimwell,butImsureImgoingtogetalonggreatwithhim,
Trumphassaid.AndifIdont?Hesgonnahavetopayabigprice,okay?Thepastmonthhas
seendelegatestotheClevelandconventionreceivingdeaththreatsoneofTrumpshatchetmen,
RogerStone,hasalreadythreatenedtopublishthehotelroomsofdelegateswhorefusetovotefor
Trump.

AndwhatsnotableaboutTrumpssupportersispreciselywhatonewouldexpectfrommembersof
amassmovement:theirintenseloyalty.Trumpistheirman,howeverinarticulatetheyarewhen
explainingwhy.Hestough,hesreal,andtheyvegothisback,especiallywhenheisattackedbyall
thepeopletheyhavecometodespise:liberalDemocratsandtraditionalRepublicans.Atrallies,
wheneveraprotesterishauledout,youcanalmostsensetherisingrageofthecollectiveidentity
ventingitselfagainstalonedissenterandfindingacatharsisofsortsinthebruteforceamobcan
inflictonanindividual.Trumptellsthecrowdhedliketopunchaprotesterinthefaceorhave
himcarriedoutonastretcher.Nomodernpoliticianwhohascomethisclosetothepresidencyhas
championedviolenceinthisway.Itwouldbedisqualifyingifourhyperdemocracyhadntalready
abolisheddisqualifications.

Andwhileacriticalelementof20thcenturyfascismitsorganizedstreetviolenceismissing,
youcanbegintoseeitinembryonicform.ThephalanxofbodyguardsaroundTrumpgrowsdaily
plainclothesbouncersinthecrowdshaveemergedaspseudocopstocontaintheincipientunrest
hiscandidacywillonlycontinuetoprovokesupportershaveattackedhecklerswithsometimes
stunningferocity.EverytimeTrumplegitimizespotentialviolencebyhissupportersbysayingit
comesfromaloveofcountry,hesowstheseedsforseriouscivilunrest.

Trumpcelebratestorturetheonetrueloveoftyrantseverywherenotbecauseitallegedly
producesintelligencebutbecauseithasademonstrationeffect.Athisrallieshehasrecountedthe
mythicalactsofoneGeneralJohnJ.Pershingwhenconfrontedwithanallegedoutbreakof
IslamistterrorisminthePhilippines.Pershing,inTrumpstelling,linesup50Muslimprisoners,
swishesaseriesofbulletsinthecorpsesoffreshlyslaughteredpigs,andordershismentoput
thosebulletsintheirriflesandkill49ofthecapturedMuslimmen.Hesparesonecaptivesolelyso
hecangobackandtellhisfriends.Endoftheterrorismproblem.

Insomeways,thisstorycontainsalltheelementsofTrumpscoreappeal.Thevexingproblemof
tacklingjihadistterror?Tortureandmurderenoughterroristsandtheywillsimplygoaway.The
complicatedissueofundocumentedworkers,drawnbyjobsmanyAmericanswonttake?Deport
everysingleoneofthemandbuildawalltostoptherest.Fuckpoliticalcorrectness.Asoneofhis
supporterstoldanobtusereporteratarallywhenaskedifhesupportedTrump:Hellyeah!Hes
nobullshit.Allballs.Fuckyouallballs.ThatswhatImabout.Andthereinliestheappealof
tyrantsfromthebeginningoftime.Fuckyouallballs.Irrationalitywithmuscle.

Theracialaspectofthisisalsounmissable.WhentheenemywithinisMexicanorMuslim,and
yourranksareextremelywhite,yousetuparubricforaracialconflict.Andwhatstrulyterrifying
aboutTrumpisthathedoesnotseemtoshrinkfromsuchaprospectherelishesit.

For,likealltyrants,heisutterlylackinginselfcontrol.Sleepingahandfulofhoursanight,
impulsivelytweetingintheearlyhours,improvisingmadlyonsubjectsheknowsnothingabout,

Trumprantsandravesashesurfsanentirelyreactivemedialandscape.Onceagain,Platohadhis
temperamentdown:Atyrantisamannothavingcontrolofhimself[who]attemptstorule
othersamanfloodedwithfearandloveandpassion,whilehavinglittleornoabilitytorestrain
ormoderatethemarealslavetothegreatestfawning,amanwhothroughouthisentirelife...is
fulloffear,overflowingwithconvulsionsandpains.Soundfamiliar?Trumpisasmercurialandas
unpredictableandasemotionalasthedailyTwitterstream.Andwearecontemplatinggivinghim
accesstothenuclearcodes.

ThosewhobelievethatTrumpsugly,thuggishpopulismhasnochanceofevermakingittothe
WhiteHouseseemtometobemissingthisdynamic.Neofascistmovementsdonotadvance
graduallybypersuasiontheyfirsttransformthetermsofthedebate,createanewmovement
basedonuntrammeledemotion,takeoverexistinginstitutions,andthenruthlesslyexploitevents.
Andsocurrentpollnumbersareonlyreassuringifyouignorethepotentialimpactofsudden,
externaleventsaneconomicdownturnoraterrorattackinamajorcityinthemonthsbefore
November.Ihavenodoubt,forexample,thatTrumpissincereinhisdesiretocuttheheadoff
ISIS,whateverthatcanpossiblymean.ButitremainsafactthattheinterestsofISISandthe
Trumpcampaignarenowperfectlyaligned.Fearisalwaysthewouldbetyrantsgreatestally.

AndthoughTrumpsunfavorablesareextraordinarilyhigh(around65percent),heisalready
showingsignsofchanginghistune,pivoting(fitfully)tothemorepresidentialmodeheenvisages
deployinginthegeneralelection.Isuspectthiswill,tosomefoolsonthefence,comeasakindof
relief,andmayopentheirmindstohimoncemore.Tyrants,likemobbosses,knowthevalueofa
smile:Preciselybecauseofthefearhesalreadygenerated,youdesperatelywanttobelieveinhis
newwarmth.Itspartofthegoodcopbadcoproutinethatwillbefamiliartoanyonewhohas
studiedthepresidencyofVladimirPutin.

Withhisappealtohisownbaselockedup,Trumpmaywellalsoshifttomoremoderatestanceson
socialissueslikeabortion(http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/trumpsays
abortionlawsshouldtbechanged.html)(healreadywantstoamendtheGOPplatformtoaless
draconianposition)orgayandeventransgenderrights
(http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/trumpopposesnorthcarolinabathroom
bill.html).Heisconsistentinhisinconsistency,because,forhim,winningiswhatcounts.Hehas
hadarealcaseagainstTedCruzthatthesenatorhasnobaseoutsideideologicalconservative
quartersandisevenlesslikelytowinageneralelection.Morepotently,Trumphasaworryingly
strongargumentagainstClinton(http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/trumpvs
clintongameisonfornovember.html)herselforcrookedHillary
(http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/clintonbrushesofftrumpsnewcrooked
insult.html),ashenowdubsher.

Hispropositionisasimpleone.RememberJamesCarvillescorequestioninthe1992election:
Changeversusmoreofthesame?ThatsentimentonceelectedClintonshusbanditcouldalso
electheropponentthisfall.IfyoulikeAmericaasitis,voteClinton.Afterall,shehasbeena
memberoftheAmericanpoliticaleliteforaquartercentury.Clinton,moreover,hasshownno
abilitytoinspireorrallyanyonebutherlongtimeloyalists.Sheislostinthenewmediaandhas
struggledtoputawaya74yearoldsocialistwhoisbarelyamemberofherparty.Herown
unfavorablesareonly11pointslowerthanTrumps(farhigherthanObamas,JohnKerrys,orAl

Goreswereatthispointintherace),andthemoreshecampaigns,thehigherherunfavorablesgo
(includinginherownparty).ShehasaGoreproblem.Theideaofwelcomingherintoyourliving
roomforthenextfouryearscanseem,attimes,positivelymasochistic.

Itmaybethatdemographicswillsaveus.Americaisnolongeranoverwhelminglywhitecountry,
andTrumpssignatureissueillegalimmigrationisthesourceofhisstrengthbutalsoofhis
weakness.Nonetheless,itsworthnotinghowpollingmodelshaveconsistentlymisreadthe
breadthofhissupport,especiallyinthesepastfewweekshewilllikelybendoverbackwardto
includeminoritiesinhisfallcampaignandthoseconvincedhecannotbringawholenewswathof
whitevotersbackintothepoliticalprocessshouldremember2004,whenKarlRovehelped
engineerantigaymarriagestateconstitutionalamendmentsthatincreasedconservativevoter
turnout.AllTrumpneedsisasliverofminorityvotesinspiredbythenewenergyofhiscampaign
andtheallegeddominanceoftheObamacoalitioncouldcrack(especiallywithoutObama).
ThroughouttheWestthesepastfewyears,fromFrancetoBritainandGermany,thepollshave
keptmissingthepowerofrightwinginsurgency.

WereTrumptowintheWhiteHouse,thedefensesagainsthimwouldbeweak.Hewouldlikely
bringaGOPmajorityintheHouse,andRepublicansintheSenatewouldbesubjectedtoalmighty
popularfuryiftheystoodinhisway.The44stalemateintheSupremeCourtwouldbreakin
Trumpsfavor.(Inlargepart,ofcourse,thiswouldbeduetotheGOPsunprecedenteddecisionto
holdavacancyopenforthepeopletodecide,anothermassivehyperdemocraticbreachinour
constitutionaldefenses.)AndifTrumpspoliciesarecheckedbyotherbranchesofgovernment,
howmighthereact?JustlookathisresponsetotherulesoftheGOPnominationprocess.Hesnot
interestedinrules.AndhebarelyunderstandstheConstitution.Inonerevealingmomentearlier
thisyear,whenaskedwhathewoulddoifthemilitaryrefusedtoobeyanillegalordertotorturea
prisoner,Trumpsimplyinsistedthatthemanwouldobey:Theywontrefuse.Theyrenotgoingto
refuse,believeme.Helateramendedhisremark,butitspeaksvolumesabouthisapproachto
power.DickCheneygaveillegalorderstotortureprisonersandcoercedWhiteHouselawyersto
cookupabsurdlegaldefenses.TrumpwouldmakeCheneysembraceofthedarksideand
untrammeledexecutivepowerlookunambitious.

Inhis1935novel,ItCantHappenHere(http://www.amazon.com/CantHappenHere
SignetClassics/dp/0451529294),SinclairLewiswroteacounterfactualaboutwhatwouldhappen
iffascismasitwasthenspreadingacrossEuropeweretotriumphinAmerica.Itsnotagood
novel,butitremainsaresonantone.TheimaginedAmericanfascistleaderasenatorcalledBuzz
WindripisaProfessionalCommonManButhewastheCommonMantwentytimes
magnifiedbyhisoratory,sothatwhiletheotherCommonerscouldunderstandhiseverypurpose,
whichwasexactlythesameastheirown,theysawhimtoweringamongthem,andtheyraised
handstohiminworship.

Hewasvulgar,almostilliterate,apublicliareasilydetected,andinhisideasalmostidiotic.I
knowthePressonlytoowell,Windripopinesatonepoint.Almostalleditorshideawayin
spiderdens,menwithoutthoughtofFamilyorPublicInterestplottinghowtheycanputover
theirlies,andadvancetheirownpositionsandfilltheirgreedypocketbooks.

Heisobsessedwiththebalanceoftradeandpromisesinstanteconomicsuccess:Ishallnotbe

contenttillthiscountrycanproduceeverysinglethingweneedWeshallhavesuchabalanceof
tradeaswillgofartocarryoutmyoftencriticizedyetcompletelysoundideaoffrom$3000to
$5000peryearforeverysinglefamily.Howeverfantasticalandemptyhispromises,he
nonethelessmesmerizesthepartyfaithfulatthenominatingconvention(heldinCleveland!):
SomethingintheintensitywithwhichWindriplookedathisaudience,lookedatallofthem,his
glanceslowlytakingtheminfromthehighestperchedseattothenearest,convincedthemthathe
wastalkingtoeachindividual,directlyandsolelythathewantedtotakeeachofthemintohis
heartthathewastellingthemthetruths,theimperiousanddangerousfacts,thathadbeen
hiddenfromthem.

Andalltheeliteswhostoodinhisway?Crippledbytheirownfailures,demoralizedbytheir
crumblingstature,theyfirstmockandthencave.Asonelonejournalistlamentsbeforethe
election(hefindshimselfinaconcentrationcampafterward):Ivegottokeepremembering
thatWindripisonlythelightestcorkonthewhirlpool.Hedidntplotallthisthing.Withallthe
justifieddiscontentthereisagainstthesmartpoliticiansandthePlushHorsesofPlutocracyoh,
ifithadntbeenoneWindrip,itdbeenanotherWehaditcoming,weRespectables.

And,81yearslater,manyofusdid.AnAmericanelitethathaspresidedovermassiveand
increasingpublicdebt,thatfailedtoprevent9/11,thatchoseadisastrouswarintheMiddleEast,
thatallowedfinancialmarketstonearlydestroytheglobaleconomy,andthatisnowsobitterly
dividedtheCongressiseffectivelymootinaconstitutionaldemocracy:WeRespectablesdeserve
acomeuppance.ThevitalandvalidlessonoftheTrumpphenomenonisthatiftheelitescannot
governbycompromise,someoneoutsidewilleventuallytrytogovernbypopularpassionand
bruteforce.

Butelitesstillmatterinademocracy.Theymatternotbecausetheyaredemocracysenemybut
becausetheyprovidethecriticalingredienttosavedemocracyfromitself.Thepolitical
Establishmentmaybebatteredanddemoralized,deferentialtothealgorithmsofthewebandto
themonosyllablesofagifteddemagogue,butthisisnotthetimetogiveuponAmericasnear
uniqueandstabilizingblendofdemocracyandeliteresponsibility.Thecountryhasenduredfar
harshertimesthanthepresentwithoutsuccumbingtorankdemagogueryitavoidedthefascism
thatdestroyedEuropeithaschanneledextraordinaryoutpouringsofdemocraticenergyinto
constitutionalorder.Itseemsshockingtoarguethatweneedelitesinthisdemocraticage
especiallywithvastinequalitiesofwealthandelitefailuresallaroundus.Butweneedthem
preciselytoprotectthispreciousdemocracyfromitsowndestabilizingexcesses.

AndsothoseDemocratswhoaregleefullypredictingaClintonlandslideinNovemberneedtoboth
checktheircomplacencyandunderstandthattheTrumpquestionreallyisntacauseforpartisan
Schadenfreudeanymore.Itsmuchmoredangerousthanthat.Thosestillbackingthedemagogue
oftheleft,BernieSanders,mightwanttoreflectthattheircritiqueofClintonsexperienceand
expertiseandtheirfacileconflationofthatwithcorruptionisonlyplayingintoTrumps
hands.ThatitwillfalltoClintontotemperherpartysambitionswillbeuncomfortabletowatch,
sinceherwillingnesstocompromiseandequivocateispreciselywhatmanyAmericansfindso
distrustful.Andyetshemaysoonbeallwehavelefttocounterthethreat.Sheneedstograspthe
lethalityofherfoe,moderatethekindofidentitypoliticsthatunwittinglyempowershim,makean
unapologeticcasethatexperienceandmoderationarenotvices,addressmuchmoredirectlythe

anxietiesofthewhiteworkingclassandDemocratsmustlisten.

Moretothepoint,thoseRepublicansdesperatelytryingtousethelongstandingrulesoftheirown
nominatingprocesstothwartthismonsterdeserveourpassionatesupport,notourdisdain.Thisis
notthemomenttoremindthemthattheypartlybroughtthisonthemselves.Thisisamomentto
offersolidarity,especiallyastheoddsareincreasinglystackedagainstthem.TedCruzandJohn
KasichfacetheirdecisivebattleinIndianaonMay3.Buttheyneedtofighton,withanytacticat
hand,allthewaytothebitterend.TheRepublicandelegateswhoaretryingtoprotecttheirparty
fromthewhimsofanoutsiderdemagogueare,atthismoment,doingwhattheyoughttobedoing
topreventcivilandracialunrest,aninternationalconflict,andaconstitutionalcrisis.TheseGOP
eliteshaveeveryrighttodeploywhateverrulesorproceduralroadblockstheycanmuster,and
theyshouldrefusetobeintimidated.

AndiftheyfailinIndianaorCleveland,astheylikelywill,theyneed,quitesimply,todisowntheir
partyscandidate.Theyshouldresistanytemptationtoloyallybackthenomineeortositthis
electionout.TheymusttakethefighttoTrumpateveryopportunity,unitewithDemocratsand
Independentsagainsthim,andbepreparedtosacrificeoneelectioninordertosavetheirparty
andtheircountry.

ForTrumpisnotjustawackypoliticianofthefarright,orarivetingtelevisionspectacle,ora
Twitterphenomandbizarreworkingclasshero.Heisnotjustanothercandidatetobeparsedand
analyzedbyTVpunditsinthesamebreathasalltheothers.Intermsofourliberaldemocracyand
constitutionalorder,Trumpisanextinctionlevelevent.Itslongpasttimewestartedtreatinghim
assuch.

*ThisarticleappearsintheMay2,2016issueofNewYorkMagazine.

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