trump and maga fetishize violence and vulgar displays of force as short cuts and cheat codes, a cargo cult authoritarianism that apes the aesthetic registers and signifiers of power in the hopes it magically materializes
I do think while violence is a method of securing power, it's similar to jump scares in movies. The more frequent use innoculates the viewer to its effect.
Masked ICE goons seizing people does provoke fear, but seeing it again and again easily gives way to anger and contempt as the shock wears off, and that's why intelligent authoritarians use violence sparingly in favor of policies that bring people to favor or neutrally tolerate the regime. But with fascists, the violence IS the policy.
trump and maga fetishize violence and vulgar displays of force as short cuts and cheat codes, a cargo cult authoritarianism that apes the aesthetic registers and signifiers of power in the hopes it magically materializes
I do think while violence is a method of securing power, it's similar to jump scares in movies. The more frequent use innoculates the viewer to its effect.
Masked ICE goons seizing people does provoke fear, but seeing it again and again easily gives way to anger and contempt as the shock wears off, and that's why intelligent authoritarians use violence sparingly in favor of policies that bring people to favor or neutrally tolerate the regime. But with fascists, the violence IS the policy.
Yes, 'Strong' has always been his go-to purr-word, as surely as 'fake' and 'false' mean 'I donʼt want to hear it.'.
…or, increasingly, 'I will hurt you for saying that.'.
Another great Arendt quote.
Flailing, lashing out.