Could the US ever become a dictatorship?

**Count of Montesano** · February 28, 2008, 07:24 PM

I'm in a hot debate on another forum, and have been called an idiot liberal and un-American for suggesting that the USA could ever become a dictatorship. I counter with things I find very troubling, from the sweeping powers the executive branch has been given under the Patriot Act, to the massive wiretapping program, to how the US continues to condone torture. I don't want to ever see America slip into tyrrany, but there seems to be a lot of people asleep at the wheel even in the best of times. I seriously worry what could happen if the American economy plummeted into a depression, there was a massive terrorist attack on several major cities at once, or we had a massive pandemic with millions dead.

What drives me the craziest is this idea that Americans are morally superior and never have to worry about things that happen in places like Kenya, Thailand, Pakistan, etc. As a student of history and politics, I know too well that it could happen here. In fact, that it almost DID happen here on several occassions. I recognize I might be paranoid, but I do see troubling signs.

**Farnan** · February 28, 2008, 07:29 PM

Well the current bills are far less dictoral than the Sedition Act of 1917, so I don't have too much fear for those laws.

Also hopefully enough soldiers still believe in the oath:

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

(Any order by a dictator is invalid according to this oath...)

**Kiljan Arslan** · February 28, 2008, 07:33 PM

I have faith that they do.

**Pontifex Maximus** · February 28, 2008, 07:49 PM

We won't.

**The10thLegion** · February 28, 2008, 08:25 PM

the people wont except it.

**Red_Praetoria** · February 28, 2008, 08:51 PM

I have alot of faith that the US military would not back a dictator.

**PointOfViewGun** · February 28, 2008, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Red_Praetoria

I have alot of faith that the US military would not back a dictator.

Military is not that autonomous in U.S.A., it would follow any kind of system but the public would not.

**danzig** · February 28, 2008, 08:51 PM

Dictatorship? No extremely unlikely if only due to the massive differences people have. Now more authoritarian IS possible but crossing that line would be very, very unlikely.

**Vladimir Lenin** · February 28, 2008, 10:00 PM

All things are possible.

So yes the U.S COULD become a dictatorship.

I however find it incredibly unlikely.

**Earl of Rochester** · February 28, 2008, 10:17 PM

Political systems tend to follow political cultures. That is why in so many places that lack a democratic culture democracy fails and is why in a dictatorship in America is so unlikely.

We are not a nation-state, and we have a very short history, the only thing that unites us is our Constitution. While we may not be very civically active as a country, we are possibly the most deeply rooted in Democracy. Without it we simply have no foundation for our country.

**Big War Bird** · February 28, 2008, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Earl of Rochester

Political systems tend to follow political cultures. That is why in so many places that lack a democratic culture democracy fails and is why in a dictatorship in America is so unlikely.

We are not a nation-state, and we have a very short history, the only thing that unites us is our Constitution. While we may not be very civically active as a country, we are possibly the most deeply rooted in Democracy. Without it we simply have no foundation for our country.

Phantom +rep for you for the most thought post.

The only thing that could really do it would be the systematic undermining of elections for an extended period of time and noone neither noticing nor caring.

Given that poltical parties make sport of accusing each other of fraud for the most trival of issues, how likely do you think that is?

**Tiwaz** · February 28, 2008, 11:15 PM

Dictatorship? Yes. Not in near future, but in some time it's possible. Specially once USA slips from position of reigning superpower and economy goes down.

If charismatic president manages to convince people that they are under great threat, someone like Bush but more charisma and brains, and that HE is the one thing that keeps nation together...

Americans, as humans that they are, will flock like lemmings to support him. And then it is question of how far that president takes it. Once he secures support of armed forces it is pretty much done deal.

**danzig** · February 29, 2008, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Tiwaz

Dictatorship? Yes. Not in near future, but in some time it's possible. Specially once USA slips from position of reigning superpower and economy goes down.

If charismatic president manages to convince people that they are under great threat, someone like Bush but more charisma and brains, and that HE is the one thing that keeps nation together...

Americans, as humans that they are, will flock like lemmings to support him. And then it is question of how far that president takes it. Once he secures support of armed forces it is pretty much done deal.

But in the end it wont work, yes initially an attempt could be made but its doomed to failure given the general mistrust (almost border line paranoia at times) of American politicans and difference of views by the population. The line to manipulate the American people is very, very narrow mainly due to how easily we turn against something when it doesnt go "right". Also how in do you get the military to back you? Volunteer service I think its all but impossible to get them to support it. The level of manipulation would be so great you are right it would have to be someone brilliant to pull it off but to sustain it would be nearly impossible.

So then what about authoritarian governments? Something with the aspects of the government in 1984?

Something like the aspects of Russia's government?

That is more likely then a "pure" dictatorship, the US of course isnt immune to these things but I do think it is harder for such things to have lasting impact on a country so big.

**Tajir** · February 28, 2008, 10:17 PM

Yes.

**Kiljan Arslan** · February 28, 2008, 10:28 PM

PLus theres the fact that we own a hell of a lot of guns.

**Fingon NL** · March 12, 2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Kiljan Arslan

PLus theres the fact that we own a hell of a lot of guns.

So what you're gonna do with handguns against airplanes?

Still it is highly unlikely indeed.

**Da Skinna** · February 29, 2008, 12:04 AM

So then what about authoritarian governments? Something with the aspects of the government in 1984?

Something like the aspects of Russia's government?

It's a bit hubristic (sic) to think things happening all over the world and all across history can't repeat itself in America sometime in the future?

**Captain Arrrgh!** · February 29, 2008, 07:22 AM

Wait and see...Wait and see....

**Ulf** · February 29, 2008, 07:53 AM

I distincly remember a clause in the constitution saying that if the current government failed to meet the requirements, the american people could change the established government to better suit their needs (or something along those lines). That sounds like a good "out" to create a dictatorship to me.