The Authoritarian Impulse and Mob Rule — Market Mad House

The 6 January 2021 Trump Riot at the US Capitol illustrates the genuine dangers of authoritarianism that mob rule generates.

The greatest danger from the riot is not the mob of childish cosplayers; nor their buffoonish leader, but our response to the violence. History shows there are two responses to such outbursts that can increase the danger.

First, we can pretend nothing has changed and we can continue business as usual. Frighteningly, this is the response brain-dead politicians; such as US Representative Ken Buck (R-Colorado), favor.

The Do Nothing Danger

Instead of inquiring into the violence’s cause, or strengthening defenses, Buck repeats culture war clichés. Incredibly, Buck blames Madonna, Robert De Niro, and Kathy Griffin for the violence in a 13 January response to Democratic impeachment efforts.

To explain, Buck is trying to continue politics as usual by blaming leftist celebrities, Billboard reports. I suspect Buck does not understand what is happening, and the danger he faces. Instead, the Representative makes the all-too human mistake of continuing normal behavior during a paradigm shift.