I have a current friend who remembers Mussolini the same way, and echoes the same verbiage you describe and that Ruth quotes in the essay title today. She vividly remembers the newspaper headlines of when he died. There is a longing, a nostalgia for that 'greatness' of strong heritage and nationalism.
For Italy, I don't understand the acceptance of nationalism if they are a Christian country. I had conversation in an elevator the other day, with someone defending the concept of needed U.S. nationalism (with regard to Ukraine), I just had to state my belief system is that we are all brothers and sisters in this. We're all in the same crayola box, just different colors. We better learn to look out for all the crayons in the pack if there is to be beauty in life.
I look around my apartment building and I'm not seeing any Native Americans here . . . (if I hear someone make a nasty-immigration comment).
Our psychological defense mechanisms typically repress bad memories such that positive memories become refined and rise to top of mind unless we make a conscious and concerted effort to retain balanced memories. That's a key purpose of studying history but few are willing and able to do that.
In talking with people in Eastern Europe who had recollections of the Soviet era, I heard much on the same theme. "Everyone had steady employment (we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us) and there was little or no (overtly observable snatch and run type) crime. Not like today."
What always fascinated me Ruth was how Trump was able to corrupt those around him and virtually the entire GOP into a leader cult. Many are copying and emulating his authoritarian playbook like Ron DeSantis in Florida. (Save people like Liz Cheney Mitt Romney, Adam Kinzinger etc.)
Trump is successful because he is charismatic and a gifted demagogue. While many bow down to him and supplicate for his endorsement, he is trying to mastermind a historic and shocking comeback to power. To that end, he has been working tirelessly to get his loyalists into key positions of power in Republican politics all over the country. If the party succeeds in taking back power in the November midterms, Trump will be well positioned to secure his party's nomination for President in 2024. After that what happens next to American democracy is anybody's guess?
Completely agree that it's fascinating how someone so ignorant, so inarticulate, so physically unattractive, and just so...gross, has managed to seduce and emotionally capture so many people and an entire political party. I will never get it, no matter how much it is analyzed. He is some kind of idiot savant when it comes to manipulation.
As good as Trump is in a performative way his demagoguery is not fooling most of the people most of the time. But it is fooling those in the base of the Republican party most of the time and they are passionate and enthusiastic in their allegiance and worship of him. He is Darth Vader and he controls the Republican party.
Agree, we are the more quiet majority. We need to educate citizens on forms of governance and lure of empty charisma. It's a siren screaming. We need every citizen to understand they need to vote.
Leaders reflect those they lead …. you make, JW, a fairly damning, and sadly accurate, appraisal of millions of Americans … in part, due to decades of devaluing education, in general, and history, in particular….
Bring back the study and value of history and its patterns. Human nature doesn't change, only the circumstances. The patterns are repeatable, we should note.
Agree. Even when I would discuss this with women (2016) in the church basement of an evangelical church -- discussing his infidelities, numerous wives, lack of loyalty, obscene comments of women -- they could still defend him (vs. Hillary Clinton). He was the strongmen, as Ruth describes. These women I speak of are sensitive to the concept of women outside the kitchen (in corporate or business), that women chose other paths. These women are force to be reckoned with. In that way, I think they are fading with advanced age --- but still present and stubborn now, ever hero worshipping a strongman who flatters and validates their under performance (under performance in their eyes only). Dicey and delicate. It would be a treasure to figure out how to move the needle with this demographic. They are good people, citizens and have cared for their families with thankless sacrifice but have blinders on, and are defensive.
This mindset of women also includes a subset that is younger, more now middle-aged. This group includes women who maybe have lived comfortably economically and maybe only worked part-time, in less professional roles. This younger group seems uncomfortable that they maybe have not participated at a higher level in the economic-participation. They may have been room moms, school volunteers and many good roles in society. But when a discussion comes up politically they reflexively revert to defense almost a shame-defense, when no one is discussing in that tone at all. Women need to love upon each other and respect all the wide contributions that make up the lovely tapestry of womanhood. This defensive posture they erect prevents true, fruitful conversation about ways for us all to live abundantly better.
I agree with you J.W. I find donald trump to be particularly repulsive - across the board. I can’t listen to him or look at him any longer than it takes to turn a page or switch a channel. (Same with a few others in his cult.) His gleeful malevolence is written on his face, broadcast through every gesture and action and it turns my stomach, sometimes literally.
However, I do understand how he draws people to him and why people who once stood against him choose to bow down. Hate sells. Blaming others sells. Add in power and greed (corruption for money & power) and it can be an attractive intoxicating cocktail - for those who crave that power, even if just by association, and those who are feeling the pinch of all the various injustices we have in our society.
I came to my understanding of authoritarianism through a childhood steeped in a particularly vile tea of extreme misogyny, racism and bigotry that was taught at every meal and beaten into my siblings and I - all compounded by the hate and fear based religious cult our mother choose to join. (After military service I went to college to study all of that - to learn the why behind such human behavior - individuals and societies.)
Generally speaking, humans prefer the easy route in life and nothing is easier than holding hate in one’s heart, feeding it, stoking it and spreading it as far as possible - views shared are easier to hold onto. Changing one’s views, truly examining personal beliefs, venturing out into society to learn and think, standing up for others instead of solely oneself - all of this takes time, mental discipline, moral courage and much effort. Hate is far easier - and it feeds on itself once embraced.
Even though I think humanity in general is a damn mess and will never rise above the attraction to the awful (hate, blame, corruption, greed, power) I do think working against all of this awfulness is necessary and always worthwhile no matter the effort. It may seem odd for me to hold such different views but my life’s experiences taught me both. We have to try to be better than where our knee-jerk nature wants to take us.
Yep! Much upside if “we try to be better than where our knee-jerk nature wants to take us”. Author, therapist BRITT FRANK, in her latest THE SCIENCE OF STUCK, presents latest practical, personal methods developed by those using somatic experience research. Fascinating 1hr interview with David McRaney on his latest You Are Not So Smart podcast
Thank you MSNBC and CNN. I wonder if viewer / citizens / employers/ corporations could influence the other networks to balance their coverage? Employers, business, entertainment industry, corporations have alot of skin this game if we lose our democracy.
Thank you for the very interesting lesson/story. The resemblance to what Netanyahu in Israel did and will continue to do if back in power, is striking. As well as the motivations powering his actions.
Berlusconi was usually portrayed in US media as a wealthy playboy clown. With his media empire in Italy, he could influence his public profile. Imagine if Trump had his own media empire. Oh, I forgot, he does. See News Corp and its Fox News. It's the same playbook. I believe Berlusconi, even under indictment, had a second term. Italian governance post WWII has been one huge merry-go-round of instability. Is this our future?
If only the twice impeached would be indicted -- without the indictment the argument against lawlessness on America's street corners is a steeper climb. So many have slid off 'the good road' onto the gravel. When everyday people slip, it's a bad ending for their lives, they regret -- I have seen it. We have continue to hold out a hand to help them back up onto the good road. For our sake and theirs.
I wrote a longer comment but it was deleted when I hit Post.
The shortened version - humanity will never rise above its love of hate, blame, greed and power. Hate & blame are far easier to hold & feed than the work of examining our beliefs, looking for common ground, learning to accept that which is different or what we don’t understand and working for the collective good - from small towns to globally. Our history proves our penchant for destruction - of each other and the very planet we all live on.
Having said that, I still believe it is worthwhile to fight for justice, equality and positive change for all - ‘all’ meaning humans, the natural world, environment and planet.
Agree, Kasumii. It does seem that most humans have these ugly traits hardwired into the animalistic side of our brains. It sometimes makes me despair, as it then becomes logical to think that nothing will change (war, genocide, hyper-capitalist destruction). But then on the flip side, I think how, as a gay person, I wouldn't want to live in any other time. Because we have made progress, and as you say, it is indeed worthwhile to fight for justice and equality...it really does matter. I can't imagine what my life would be like in the 19th century (or the 1950s, 60s, 70s for that matter!).
Hi J.W. Thanks for your reply. You are correct - we have definitely made progress. Despair over our multiple current problems/disasters can make it easy to forget the progress made. I think it is important to feel both - gratitude for progress made and still enjoyed and despair over what people can and are doing to hurt others and the planet for the usual soup of blame, hate, greed and power. As long as we use the despair to move us to action - all of which matters - it is good to feel it. Denial and hope without action will get us nowhere fast.
Thanks for making this point. Most of us recognize progress, but there are ugly traits hardwired into human brains; we can never take positive change for granted.
The psychology of fascism is visible all around us today. Unfortunately, in the US it is abetted by our first-past-the-post election system, which generates our current two-party "system" in which every election is a referendum not on policies, but on whether the "other party" will take over and eliminate "my party." Europe in general does not have this problem. (See Lee Drutman, _Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multi-Party Democracy in America_ [2022], and his "Fix Our House" campaign and website.)
Thank you Ruth for connecting the dots again. The lure of charisma is poison. Narcissism is such a wicked web that attracts innocents like a moth to a flame. Engaging with a narcissist involves your mental wit into a lifelong or long chess game of hourly moves and counter-moves. Because it engages your intellect non-stop, it's like magnet puzzle. You feel engaged mentally and that always feels good, you almost self-flatter that you're always thinking of the chessboard. I think it would wise if people understood the destruction of this personality-type. (good read: Disarming the Narcissist, Wendy Behary, LCSW, 3rd edition). Too much charm and allure is a blaring siren -- my dad said to me and I ignored and followed the flame. My dad's words were golden wisdom. let us educate others on basics of good and healthy living. Let us learn to disarm and hold accountable the everyday 'hiccups' of budding narcissists around us and stamp out the flames and embers before they learn to rage.
I was in the Rome the year after Trump was elected and found myself apologizing about him to a cab driver. The driver said, "No need to apologize, we had Berlusconi." They knew what was to come.
It is interesting to contemplate exactly what it is that attracts so many voters to the former president, Donald Trump. Many people find it appealing to follow what appears to be a strong leader. Many voters have at best a rudimentary understanding of most of the issues of the day.
The sales adage "The fear of loss is a greater motivator than the anticipation of gain" comes to mind. Most people are not very creative nor industrious. They have a job that almost meets their needs. Throw in the idea that usurpers are on the doorstep and will take what little they have, now you have an ardent cult following. The base is built on fear, not prosperity, and most people live in that world.
The term "mass psychosis" instantly jumped out at me -- that seems like the essence of today's GOP.
drinking the Jim Jones kool-aid blindly without question, going over a cliff
I have a current friend who remembers Mussolini the same way, and echoes the same verbiage you describe and that Ruth quotes in the essay title today. She vividly remembers the newspaper headlines of when he died. There is a longing, a nostalgia for that 'greatness' of strong heritage and nationalism.
For Italy, I don't understand the acceptance of nationalism if they are a Christian country. I had conversation in an elevator the other day, with someone defending the concept of needed U.S. nationalism (with regard to Ukraine), I just had to state my belief system is that we are all brothers and sisters in this. We're all in the same crayola box, just different colors. We better learn to look out for all the crayons in the pack if there is to be beauty in life.
I look around my apartment building and I'm not seeing any Native Americans here . . . (if I hear someone make a nasty-immigration comment).
Thanks for sharing this - it's vital for people to realize this is a universal issue.
Our psychological defense mechanisms typically repress bad memories such that positive memories become refined and rise to top of mind unless we make a conscious and concerted effort to retain balanced memories. That's a key purpose of studying history but few are willing and able to do that.
In talking with people in Eastern Europe who had recollections of the Soviet era, I heard much on the same theme. "Everyone had steady employment (we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us) and there was little or no (overtly observable snatch and run type) crime. Not like today."
Agree ... and those people walked around like zombies. Souls-deadened, creativity dried, innovation stopped.
What always fascinated me Ruth was how Trump was able to corrupt those around him and virtually the entire GOP into a leader cult. Many are copying and emulating his authoritarian playbook like Ron DeSantis in Florida. (Save people like Liz Cheney Mitt Romney, Adam Kinzinger etc.)
Trump is successful because he is charismatic and a gifted demagogue. While many bow down to him and supplicate for his endorsement, he is trying to mastermind a historic and shocking comeback to power. To that end, he has been working tirelessly to get his loyalists into key positions of power in Republican politics all over the country. If the party succeeds in taking back power in the November midterms, Trump will be well positioned to secure his party's nomination for President in 2024. After that what happens next to American democracy is anybody's guess?
Completely agree that it's fascinating how someone so ignorant, so inarticulate, so physically unattractive, and just so...gross, has managed to seduce and emotionally capture so many people and an entire political party. I will never get it, no matter how much it is analyzed. He is some kind of idiot savant when it comes to manipulation.
As good as Trump is in a performative way his demagoguery is not fooling most of the people most of the time. But it is fooling those in the base of the Republican party most of the time and they are passionate and enthusiastic in their allegiance and worship of him. He is Darth Vader and he controls the Republican party.
Agree, we are the more quiet majority. We need to educate citizens on forms of governance and lure of empty charisma. It's a siren screaming. We need every citizen to understand they need to vote.
Leaders reflect those they lead …. you make, JW, a fairly damning, and sadly accurate, appraisal of millions of Americans … in part, due to decades of devaluing education, in general, and history, in particular….
Bring back the study and value of history and its patterns. Human nature doesn't change, only the circumstances. The patterns are repeatable, we should note.
Agree. Even when I would discuss this with women (2016) in the church basement of an evangelical church -- discussing his infidelities, numerous wives, lack of loyalty, obscene comments of women -- they could still defend him (vs. Hillary Clinton). He was the strongmen, as Ruth describes. These women I speak of are sensitive to the concept of women outside the kitchen (in corporate or business), that women chose other paths. These women are force to be reckoned with. In that way, I think they are fading with advanced age --- but still present and stubborn now, ever hero worshipping a strongman who flatters and validates their under performance (under performance in their eyes only). Dicey and delicate. It would be a treasure to figure out how to move the needle with this demographic. They are good people, citizens and have cared for their families with thankless sacrifice but have blinders on, and are defensive.
This mindset of women also includes a subset that is younger, more now middle-aged. This group includes women who maybe have lived comfortably economically and maybe only worked part-time, in less professional roles. This younger group seems uncomfortable that they maybe have not participated at a higher level in the economic-participation. They may have been room moms, school volunteers and many good roles in society. But when a discussion comes up politically they reflexively revert to defense almost a shame-defense, when no one is discussing in that tone at all. Women need to love upon each other and respect all the wide contributions that make up the lovely tapestry of womanhood. This defensive posture they erect prevents true, fruitful conversation about ways for us all to live abundantly better.
I agree with you J.W. I find donald trump to be particularly repulsive - across the board. I can’t listen to him or look at him any longer than it takes to turn a page or switch a channel. (Same with a few others in his cult.) His gleeful malevolence is written on his face, broadcast through every gesture and action and it turns my stomach, sometimes literally.
However, I do understand how he draws people to him and why people who once stood against him choose to bow down. Hate sells. Blaming others sells. Add in power and greed (corruption for money & power) and it can be an attractive intoxicating cocktail - for those who crave that power, even if just by association, and those who are feeling the pinch of all the various injustices we have in our society.
I came to my understanding of authoritarianism through a childhood steeped in a particularly vile tea of extreme misogyny, racism and bigotry that was taught at every meal and beaten into my siblings and I - all compounded by the hate and fear based religious cult our mother choose to join. (After military service I went to college to study all of that - to learn the why behind such human behavior - individuals and societies.)
Generally speaking, humans prefer the easy route in life and nothing is easier than holding hate in one’s heart, feeding it, stoking it and spreading it as far as possible - views shared are easier to hold onto. Changing one’s views, truly examining personal beliefs, venturing out into society to learn and think, standing up for others instead of solely oneself - all of this takes time, mental discipline, moral courage and much effort. Hate is far easier - and it feeds on itself once embraced.
Even though I think humanity in general is a damn mess and will never rise above the attraction to the awful (hate, blame, corruption, greed, power) I do think working against all of this awfulness is necessary and always worthwhile no matter the effort. It may seem odd for me to hold such different views but my life’s experiences taught me both. We have to try to be better than where our knee-jerk nature wants to take us.
Yep! Much upside if “we try to be better than where our knee-jerk nature wants to take us”. Author, therapist BRITT FRANK, in her latest THE SCIENCE OF STUCK, presents latest practical, personal methods developed by those using somatic experience research. Fascinating 1hr interview with David McRaney on his latest You Are Not So Smart podcast
Your essay in January, 2017, Ruth, nailed Trump at the outset. I am glad your commentary is front and center on MSNBC and CNN. Keep it up!
Thank you MSNBC and CNN. I wonder if viewer / citizens / employers/ corporations could influence the other networks to balance their coverage? Employers, business, entertainment industry, corporations have alot of skin this game if we lose our democracy.
I am new to the blog (but read the book "Strongemen"). Glad I came here. Great writing. And so important.
Thank you for the very interesting lesson/story. The resemblance to what Netanyahu in Israel did and will continue to do if back in power, is striking. As well as the motivations powering his actions.
Stay alert friends in Israel.
Berlusconi was usually portrayed in US media as a wealthy playboy clown. With his media empire in Italy, he could influence his public profile. Imagine if Trump had his own media empire. Oh, I forgot, he does. See News Corp and its Fox News. It's the same playbook. I believe Berlusconi, even under indictment, had a second term. Italian governance post WWII has been one huge merry-go-round of instability. Is this our future?
If only the twice impeached would be indicted -- without the indictment the argument against lawlessness on America's street corners is a steeper climb. So many have slid off 'the good road' onto the gravel. When everyday people slip, it's a bad ending for their lives, they regret -- I have seen it. We have continue to hold out a hand to help them back up onto the good road. For our sake and theirs.
I wrote a longer comment but it was deleted when I hit Post.
The shortened version - humanity will never rise above its love of hate, blame, greed and power. Hate & blame are far easier to hold & feed than the work of examining our beliefs, looking for common ground, learning to accept that which is different or what we don’t understand and working for the collective good - from small towns to globally. Our history proves our penchant for destruction - of each other and the very planet we all live on.
Having said that, I still believe it is worthwhile to fight for justice, equality and positive change for all - ‘all’ meaning humans, the natural world, environment and planet.
Agree, Kasumii. It does seem that most humans have these ugly traits hardwired into the animalistic side of our brains. It sometimes makes me despair, as it then becomes logical to think that nothing will change (war, genocide, hyper-capitalist destruction). But then on the flip side, I think how, as a gay person, I wouldn't want to live in any other time. Because we have made progress, and as you say, it is indeed worthwhile to fight for justice and equality...it really does matter. I can't imagine what my life would be like in the 19th century (or the 1950s, 60s, 70s for that matter!).
Stay focused, working and dedicated so we keep those important rights. Life without them is unthinkable.
Hi J.W. Thanks for your reply. You are correct - we have definitely made progress. Despair over our multiple current problems/disasters can make it easy to forget the progress made. I think it is important to feel both - gratitude for progress made and still enjoyed and despair over what people can and are doing to hurt others and the planet for the usual soup of blame, hate, greed and power. As long as we use the despair to move us to action - all of which matters - it is good to feel it. Denial and hope without action will get us nowhere fast.
Thanks for making this point. Most of us recognize progress, but there are ugly traits hardwired into human brains; we can never take positive change for granted.
Let's fight hard to register voters May, June, July, Aug, Sept & Oct 2022. It's our only shot at a good life.
I agree Jan.
The psychology of fascism is visible all around us today. Unfortunately, in the US it is abetted by our first-past-the-post election system, which generates our current two-party "system" in which every election is a referendum not on policies, but on whether the "other party" will take over and eliminate "my party." Europe in general does not have this problem. (See Lee Drutman, _Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multi-Party Democracy in America_ [2022], and his "Fix Our House" campaign and website.)
Thank you Ruth for connecting the dots again. The lure of charisma is poison. Narcissism is such a wicked web that attracts innocents like a moth to a flame. Engaging with a narcissist involves your mental wit into a lifelong or long chess game of hourly moves and counter-moves. Because it engages your intellect non-stop, it's like magnet puzzle. You feel engaged mentally and that always feels good, you almost self-flatter that you're always thinking of the chessboard. I think it would wise if people understood the destruction of this personality-type. (good read: Disarming the Narcissist, Wendy Behary, LCSW, 3rd edition). Too much charm and allure is a blaring siren -- my dad said to me and I ignored and followed the flame. My dad's words were golden wisdom. let us educate others on basics of good and healthy living. Let us learn to disarm and hold accountable the everyday 'hiccups' of budding narcissists around us and stamp out the flames and embers before they learn to rage.
I was in the Rome the year after Trump was elected and found myself apologizing about him to a cab driver. The driver said, "No need to apologize, we had Berlusconi." They knew what was to come.
It is interesting to contemplate exactly what it is that attracts so many voters to the former president, Donald Trump. Many people find it appealing to follow what appears to be a strong leader. Many voters have at best a rudimentary understanding of most of the issues of the day.
The sales adage "The fear of loss is a greater motivator than the anticipation of gain" comes to mind. Most people are not very creative nor industrious. They have a job that almost meets their needs. Throw in the idea that usurpers are on the doorstep and will take what little they have, now you have an ardent cult following. The base is built on fear, not prosperity, and most people live in that world.
Thanks for this important message; hope you will share it with the general public.