Authoritarians never mention what happens after the “strong leader” consolidates power.
The corruption that inevitably follows.
The silencing of dissent.
The capture of institutions by cronies.
The erosion of rights for anyone outside the favored group.
But these are the consequences of a populace who have stopped caring enough to participate.
‘Most of all, it needs a critical mass of citizens who deeply and genuinely care about democratic values - as lived commitments, not abstract concepts they can hand wave away.’
It is definitely what is needed and it is needed right now, not only in US.
Exactly right. This is a global problem and a global project.