Which road to despotism?

Firstly, I'd like to say that I think that it's actually pretty unlikely that a true despotism will form. America may have its bad points (of which anyone who reads mefi and isn't named ParisParisimus is aware), but it's a long road from a more conservative democracy to an actual despotism. Remember, you can still say, "I think Bush is a moron" in a public place, and although some might get offended and yell at you, the police won't drag you off that night and shoot you in the head.

That being said, if America does go into despotism, I think this is the probable chain of events: 1. More terrorism. Note I mean real terrorism, not a government conspiracy.

The X-Files to the contrary, our government couldn't conceal a Snickers bar much less a major conspiracy without getting caught. The government just isn't very competent at keeping secrets. If it was, Russia wouldn't have been able to swipe the Bomb so easily.

2. More terrorism leads to increased anger and xenophobia. There's been ... more.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.