By Andrés T. Tapia (the views here are mine alone)
My recent Tweetstorm on @AndresTTapia:
1/ Beginning thread on #AuthoritarianPlaybook: First, tap into deep seated legitimate despair (i.e., economic displacement)
2/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Next, stoke deepest fears by exaggeration & sense of imminent cataclysmic danger (i.e., terrorism)
3/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Find scapegoats (i.e., stealing of jobs by darkskinned immigrants & countries)
4/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Demonize the scapegoats (i.e., “rapists,” “criminals,” “terrorists”)
5/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Exaggerate, distort & lie.
6/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: When challengd on facts, doubledown self-righteously on ExaggerationDistortionLies + accuse accusers of being true perps of same
7/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Make a mortal enemy of anyone who questions their POV (i.e., the Press, the opposition party, protestors)
8/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Demand loyalty above all else. And reward it handsomely (i.e., pay to play, zero tolerance of dissent by staff)
9/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: String along reluctant allies w/promise of supporting cherished policies if w/hold criticism & investigations of wrongdoing (Congress Rs)
10/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Delegitimize democratic results proving opposition to ruler (i.e., “vote fraud,” “paid protestors,” “fake polls”)
11/ #AuthoritarianPlaybook: Promise to be sole savior that will address all problems (“I alone can save you,” joint session of Congress speech. /END
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