Dictatorships are built on narratives. To stop them one must break their narrative, which is an iterative process—they’ll change the narrative to explain away new developments, but if you force them to keep making changes faster than their adherents can absorb them, their shared reality will fall apart.
I feel this is really the most important answer here. We must break the false narratives that they use to hold power.
And nothing does that better than video evidence. Fortunately, virtually every cell phone still in existence can record video.
but the problem now is we are in the age of “ai” & fake videos.
They will just claim everything is fake (while claiming their own fake videos are real and the only Truth).
Nothing can ever be perfect. We have AI detection capabilities to identify faked videos. You’ll never convince 100% of any group of anything. We still have to sway as many people as possible. Not every voter is a conspiracy nut.
Ding Ding Ding! This right here. Unfortunately, they say one thing one day, and the opposite the other, and know their followers will latch onto the answer they want to believe/be true. It is exactly how religions work too.
They’ve given up on narratives and now say lots of conflicting things to overload your brain.
after all other options are exhausted civil disobedience is the only thing left
examples would include handing about abortion pills in illegal states
Yes, this makes sense! Hopefully while doing so one could build a coalition that includes more and more people.
In my opinion, it depends on the kind of dictatorship and your status of power. I assume that you’re an average US american looking at the election rn - then there isn’t really anything we can do here. The system is simply too strong, and Donald Trump has too much institutional authority to be stopped.
However, I ask you to keep in mind that dictatorship isn’t an authoritarian monolith and that we as common citizens have a possibility to influence and undermine authoritarian governments. Nazi Germany immediately comes to mind; many citizens disobeyed the government, may have leaked information or sabotaged important projects, even into the highest ranks (Stauffenberg and Schindler are prime examples). A dictatorship is only as effective as the bearers of power in a certain region. For example, police officers, but also common citizens (just keep in mind that a significant amount of Germans provided shelter for Jewish people).
It seems from my perspective that the authoritarian train cannot be stopped. So I’d do my best now to prepare for what is to come. Educate yourself about the key political players in your concrete region, if you decide to stay. Understand who holds the essential components of power - the council, the police officers, school district. Who supplies the common goods? Especially local producers often are connected strongly to the people and can be a major influence in the region. With this knowledge, you will be able to in turn exercise influence yourself and be able to help yourself and people who will be victims of Project 2025. We have a certain strength here - we know what it coming. Many people don’t. Use this knowledge for the good. Even if you cannot stop a “global” transition to the authoritarian regime which is to come, you can mitigate its effects on the local community by participating and influencing the bearers of decisions.
I hope it makes sense. If you disagree, feel free to reply - I’d love to get more input on this topic. If any further questions arise, don’t hesitate to ask :)
Nice try FBI
Damn
Username checks out.
At least 30,000,000 people protesting non violently for a year, hoping no war will erupt. This might help
“Protesting” isn’t what we need. We need them running for office, whether that is president, senator, congressperson, or even for the local school board: a lot of those lower officers will move up over time.
Just like the remnants of the Tea Party took over the GOP, we need a “Guillotine Party” to redirect the Democrats to focus on the robber baron billionaire class.
That’s the next step. But running for office is far from being enough without an engaged base, and you get this by sustained protests and other non violent means. Especially if you’re facing a regime with fascist aspirations. Soon it might be too late
Yes, if that many people would do that it could make a huge difference
You say that as if dictators, by their nature, aren’t going to sneak up on us. The question, sadly, should be what we would do once one reveals themselves, and the answer to that is in a battle of wit VS law.
According to the german constitution germans are not only allowed but required to kill unelected heads of government.
Although I’m Swiss, I would do the same. Every Swiss person has to enter the Military and it’s a societal contract that our militia is there to keep the democracy alive.
A lot of authoritarian governments are/were elected though.
yeah, but the Moment they change the laws into “only we can get elected” they are a legitimate target
Join the resistance. Evil must be opposed.
How though
For now I just donated to a group opposing the Christian national takeover of our institutions. If Trump decides to actually go for dictatorship there will be a resistance.
And when/how would you know it was time to do this thing you’re ready to do?
You wouldn’t. Everyone would keep being brainwashed into accepting reality. It’s happening now.
Sorry, couldn’t hear you over the sound of the boiling water in this pot
Nope, not today, glowie.
Dictatorships seem to hit the first stage through votes, so by the time that happens it usually means a majority are in favor of such a transition of power.
Don’t think there is a way of changing it unless population that ushered it in changes.
Resign
I guess, it depends on the dictatorship. For example if it’s the one being formed in the US currently, here are some ideas: https://theintercept.com/2024/11/14/trump-agenda-organize-protest-movement/
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Why follow a particular course of action?
Or why try to stop a dictatorship?