John Maynard Keynes warned that the austerity of the 1930’s would lead to the rise of authoritarianism, as increasingly desperate people believed ever simpler explanations from extremist liars. But for that to work there has to be another factor in place first, a loss of faith in liberal democracy.
We are seeing increasing signs of that today on both sides of the Atlantic, the conspiracy theories and lies by Trump’s supporters have convinced 1/2 of all Republican supporters that the attack on the Senate in January either didn’t happen or was a false flag operation by Black Lives Matter. In the UK the continued attacks on the EU and Remainers as the consequences of Brexit become clear, is another attempt to blame anyone but the ones who campaigned for it, negotiated it and championed it in the first place.
But there is also a deeper malaise, sleaze used to bring government’s down. But one that has been in power for more than a decade, has a huge majority and which knows it will be in power for another 10 years minimum can shrug it off.
Its supporters in the press sweep it under the carpet, it can browbeat the broadcast media and is helped immensely by previous scandals. When a large percentage of the electorate believes that all politicians are only in it for the money, sleaze is not a scandal it’s normality.
https://jonty.substack.com/