Autocracies
We all know a democracy involves a government responsive to the will of a majority of its citizenry. Autocracies are much more nebulous though they have a common characteristic. A small group of insiders rule the nation using a figurehead they select to issue their rules. Often the power goes to the “leader’s” head, converting him to a dictator. I used the “him” advisedly since they seem always to be male.
Autocracies come in many forms:
Monarchs with their nobles (royalties before they were stripped of authority)
A military dictator with high-ranking generals (Genghis Kahn for example)
The Pope with Vatican officials
The Ayatollah with senior religious leaders
A political leader with supporting oligarchs (Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Putin, ad nauseum)
The leader of a revolution with his lieutenants (Castro)
An emperor with his palace entourage (Japan, Roman empire)
I’m sure you can think up more types and examples. These cliques almost always become very rich at the expense of their exploited population. Their form of government is efficient because things get done without lengthy arguing or dissenting voices. They could even be good for all if they didn’t fall victim to greed or power. The general population suffers more with each passing year until the regime is finally overthrown.
Overthrow can be by a bloody revolution as happened in France, Russia, and America). It can be via a World War involving many nations as in the case of Nazi Germany, Japan, and Italy. They can be almost bloodless as it was in England, Canada, and India. It may involve one autocracy taking over another, such as when the Ayatollah theocracy deposed the Shah of Iran. It may not even involve the government as when unions were created to end the industrial reign of railroad, mining, and manufacturing tycoons.
Democracy in the United States is facing its greatest threat since conception. Is it inevitable that our democracy will deteriorate into autocracy? 2,000 years ago, Plato said yes. He believed there is roughly a two-hundred-year cycle in which a democracy is overtaken by an autocracy that impoverishes the populace until the downtrodden revolt and re-establish a government of the people, for the people. He seems right in concept though far too restrictive in his time estimate.
How does all this relate to America today? Well, power is already in the hands of a relatively small group of corporate leaders and rich individuals. They own many media outlets, and a strong propaganda machine is in place. They have gained control of the Republican Party which now should be renamed the Autocratic Party. They have manipulated the presidential election system to enable a win with 47% or less of the popular vote. Their only large mistake to date was selecting a corrupt, unintelligent narcissist as their mouthpiece. They probably won’t make that mistake in the 2024 Democratic/Autocratic election.
Sadly, the myth they have created is believed by a significant percentage of the people being exploited. Not just believed, fervently believed. Effective propaganda accomplishes two things; namely, make people believe its story and then close their mind to argument or even discussion. The human brain is wired for that form of exploitation. Over millions of years, human survival depended on uniting behind a strong leader. Worked fine when all the leader got was adulation, perhaps more than one partner, but not a palace, four mansions, private jets, and billions salted away in secret bank accounts.
Can the process be reversed or is it too late? In America, we still have a House of Representatives, and recently they have tried to protect voting rights and improve the general economy. But each measure is blocked by a Senate with a razor thin Democratic majority. The will of the people remains thwarted. Only with a solid majority of Democrats over Autocrats in both House and Senate can a reversal be successful. That’s why 2024 is so pivotal to democracy in America.
