Context:
Former U.S. Secretary of State on the growing threat of fascism: “If one were to draft a script chronicling fascism’s resurrection, the abdication of America’s moral leadership would make a credible first sense.”
In The News:
“Instead of mobilizing international coalitions to take on world problems, he touts the doctrine of “every nation for itself” and has led America into isolated positions on trade, climate change, and Middle East peace. Instead of engaging in creative diplomacy, he has insulted United States neighbors and allies, walked away from key international agreements, mocked multilateral organizations and stripped the State Department of its resources and role. Instead of standing up for the values of a free society, his oft-vented scorn for democracy’s building blocks has strengthened the hands of dictators. No longer need they fear United States criticism regarding human rights or civil liberties. On the contrary, they can and do point to Trump’s own words to justify their repressive actions.”
Support From Peace Science:
People power is the best response to tyranny, fascism, and other forms of government repression. Key capabilities of successful resistance movements are:
- Ability to unify people
- Operational planning
- Nonviolent discipline
References:
- Will We Stop Trump Before It’s Too Late? By Madeleine Albright for the New York Times, April 6, 2018.
- “The Checklist for Ending Tyranny”. By Ackerman, P., & Merriman, H. In Mathew Burrows and Maria J. Stephan (eds.), Is Authoritarianism Staging a Comeback?, Washington, DC: The Atlantic Council, 2015.
