Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"Group B (resistance), defined as the threat to the members of the 'real' nation, rallies to oppose the regime. The challenge for Group B is that they may appear hyperbolic to those less engaged (Group C). The warnings, while accurate, are too dire for many to grasp, and hard to imagine. Thus, as the nationalistic attacks increase, Group B's reactions escalate, affirming the fears of Group A. This self-fulfilling prophecy is cyclical and polarizes the groups even further.

"How Group C responds ultimately determines the fate of democracy. When the economy is strong, history shows the incumbent party tends to get rewarded, enabling the incumbent to pursue autocratic power consolidation. When it's weak, the fundamentals work against the incumbent, and fear and voter suppression are the only options they have left. If the incumbent party wins subsequent elections pursuing this strategy, democratic backsliding unfolds as the barriers to consolidation of power are removed."

-- Oren Jacobson, "How Modern Democracies Die: Is America Next?", 2020-09-24