Elections and Fragility of Government
After participating in an extraction of Americans from a war-torn country, I studied events leading to government instability. Peaceful protests led to unrest, riots, destruction, violence, kidnappings, and killing until reaching a point where the host government could no longer guarantee safety of foreigners or its citizens. As a rebel leader in a war game I implemented such destabilizing practices. That experience showed me how fragile government can be. I posit a terrorist leader has placed assets in various cities through our southern border. Open-border immigration is unlawful and dangerous. Removing illegal immigrants is lawful to protect society.
Democracy, according to Greek Philosophers, works as long as people are responsible and accountable for their actions, accept and abide by the rule of law, and the state does not abuse its power. To reference Larry Diamond, a political sociologist, democracy consists of four key elements: (a) a political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections by its citizens; (b) active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life enlightened by an unbiased free press; (c) protection of the human rights of all citizens, and (d) rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.
As long as the governed believe conditions are acceptable they comply. Dissatisfaction starts small and takes time to develop into action, but eventually when a sufficient mass loses faith in government, nonpeaceful means of change are initiated (American Rebellion). Distrust, anxiety, and panic set in, people side with a common ideology, leading to revolution and civil war and some migrate elsewhere (6.7 million Syrians migrated and millions of Afghans).
What leads to rebellion? Divisive issues develop pitting segments of society against each other; immigration, safety, economics, religion, discrimination and politics. More specifically: loss of unifying national pride (immigration without assimilation); economically haves vs. have-nots; socialism vs. capitalism; unbearable selective taxation; deprivation of individual and religious rights; inequality under the law (leaders vs. governed, police brutality or worse no policing and vigilantism); military-civilian divide; state’s rights vs. federal government (border protection, sanctuary cities, voting laws) and calls for secession (California).
An underground guerilla force develops (Antifa?) led by socialists and financiers. Small demonstrations turn into larger protests and become violent, leading to widespread riots, inflicting harm and disrupting a civil way of life (Minnesota). Police kill protestors to control violent demonstrations. Civil rights are violated by identifying, harassing, and jailing protest leaders. Squashing a rebellion is made more difficult when encountering an armed citizenry willing to fight. Will military or police kill its citizens in mass to quell a revolution (Mubarak in Egypt, Assad in Syria, Tiananmen Square, Iran)? The Egyptian coup mantra was “power of the people is greater than people in power.” Maniacal Leaders (Ayatollah, Amin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Hussein, Pol Pot) erred in believing “power comes from holding people in fear and controlled speech.”
Communication is crucial in controlling the message with propaganda and censorship. Some say this role is being filled by media and big tech. Rather than presenting both sides of an issue to inform, media presents a controlled “on message” thread of biased opinions. Some will seek to influence the public through elected office (Democratic Socialists) or as educators (woke culture).
An alternative leader emerges to rally around. A trigger is needed to ignite a revolt; assassinating or imprisoning someone who becomes a martyr for the cause, a mass killing, economic depression, loss of faith in elections, unsafe living conditions and restrictions on freedom.
The Ottoman conquests created a cultural divide. Varied cultures did not assimilate reducing the strength of the Empire. When attacked the lack of national pride to fight for a common cause led to its decline. (reference point: Quinnipiac survey March 14, 2022)
There have been more coup attempts than years the U.S. has been a country (Cuba, Lebanon, Iran, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Venezuela). As our society follows similar patterns there is cause for concern. Cancel culture is a cancer. Faith in institutions is declining. Are we to fear our government? Are we in a constitutional crisis and is a silent coup being waged? Prosecution for political purpose is an abuse of power. It has been said “Show me the man and I will show you the crime.” Financial pressure and protecting family members will cause anyone to yield to the prosecutor. It happened in Missouri removing a governor, to a military general and others. Who wins in dividing the country; political leaders, media, corporations, China, Russia? Is it more sinister? Is this about political power at any cost? We need to figure it out for our country to survive.