Saturday, January 9, 2021

The Founding Father's feared 'mob rule.'

"In vain they seek to hide behind the flag and the Constitution. In their blindness they forget what the flag and the Constitution stand for. Now, as always, they stand for democracy, not tyranny; for freedom, not subjection; and against a dictatorship by mob rule and the over-privileged alike."

"A group experience takes place on a lower level of consciousness than the experience of an individual. This is due to the fact that, when many people gather together to share one common emotion, the total psyche emerging from the group is below the level of the individual psyche. If it is a very large group, the collective psyche will be more like the psyche of an animal, which is the reason why the ethical attitude of large organizations is always doubtful. The psychology of a large crowd inevitably sinks to the level of mob psychology. If, therefore, I have a so-called collective experience as a member of a group, it takes place on a lower level of consciousness than if I had the experience by myself alone.”
― C.G. Jung, The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious

     When the United States was being formed many leaders such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton feared that democracy could easily descend into 'mob rule.' Consequently they planned that only The House Of Representatives would be chosen by direct election.  The encouragement by trump toward the attack on the Capital, which we witnessed a few days ago, is the very thing they feared. They tried to steer a course between monarchism on the one hand and mob rule on the other.
     I don't think there is any chance that trump can orchestrate a coup. Not becasue he doesn't want to but because he's too inept. The real danger is a charismatic leader arises, pushes him out of the way, and leads a more dangerous attack on democracy in  America. I think trump is finished as a significant force but the animosity that he's engendered will live on. More violence can be expected.

Takk for alt,

Al


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