How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them

by Jason F. Stanley

In book 8 of Plato’s Republic, Socrates argues that people are not naturally led to self-governance but rather seek a strong leader to follow. Democracy, by permitting freedom of speech, opens the door for a demagogue to exploit the people’s need for a strongman; the strongman will use this freedom to prey on the people’s resentments and fears. Once the strongman seizes power, he will end democracy, replacing it with tyranny. In short, book 8 of The Republic argues that democracy is a self-undermining system whose very ideals lead to its own demise.

I think this may be true for a number of people. Once the strongman starts preying of resentment and fear, more are attracted to the dogma and early believers become more entrenched. However, I believe self-governance and the ideals of equity and justice appeals more strongly in others. But how many on each side? Is there a dialog that can happen between the two?