Hard Problems

Hard Problems

A Global Authoritarian Realignment is Here, And Democracy Could Lose

If the bad guys win, we all lose

Marcus Tisdale's avatar
Marcus Tisdale
Aug 12, 2025
∙ Paid

As Trump orders troops on the streets of DC, in the midst of a historic downturn in crime, I am reminded of a particularly stinging quote on the nature of authoritarianism:

Processions, meetings, military parades, lectures, waxwork displays, film shows, telescreen programs all had to be organized; stands had to be erected, effigies built, slogans coined,…

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