So, What is Inverted Totalitarianism?
A cycle of violence, hate, policy battle and media frenzy is taking our democracy to a surreal place.
The American civic order is a complex order these days, and it is increasingly important for critical thinkers and theorists to describe this weird new world so that we can understand it. What’s really blown my mind this week is the means by which a republic can become imperial while looking democratic and free. This concept of totalitarianism, conceived by Sheldon Wolin, describes how what appears to be a democratic system of government actually functions as a hegemonic dictator: inverted totalitarianism.
At its core are two main principles; the first being a unilateral foreign policy where preemptive strikes are publicly accepted. This precedent was set when George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq despite the opposition of key allies and regional neighbors. Even those who enlist fully expect to be sent to anywhere in the world. Think about how strange that is for a moment — does an Icelandic grunt expect this? Does the US play the role of world police or Viking menace?
The second core principle is the deceptive appearance of a democratic system. The Senate is a built-in mechanism to regulate the whims of Congress; after Citizens United, where corporations are allowed to essentially buy out politicians, the average person now knows their vote is practically powerless. This “democracy” is managed by elite forces (a common sentiment which Trump successfully exploited) which keep the public opinion in check. A Supreme Court monitors laws across the nation and strikes down decisions it disagrees with by majority vote. Just now, the retirement of Justice Kennedy is triggering another game of chess, where Trump’s choice of replacement will likely have legal implications for decades.
The Electoral College is a great example of the second principle, where presidents are chosen despite losing the popular vote. Liberal cities where millions condense to live and work together — engines of progress — are politically isolated. Popular culture is structured so that the poor are detested and the rich and famous are revered. This system is composed of a huge swath of both surface and deep culture, of subtle social biases against minorities all the way up to the life-long Supreme Court Justices explicitly codified into the US Constitution. According to inverted totalitarianism, especially given the 21st century’s democratic backsliding, political science is used as a tool to maintain balance and control. It is laughable to think that we defend freedom when the common person’s voice is increasingly silenced, suppressed, or overruled.
It’s almost impossible to read or even look at the headlines of news without a horrible feeling forming in the gut. I am deeply ashamed of what our country is doing. Formerly a contemporary issues teacher, I have usually found an explanation for everything and try to weave it into my historical understanding, but now I find myself exhausted. Many others find themselves drained from too many calls for advocacy and activism; liberals suffer from fatigue and burnout, not knowing what sustainable resistance looks like. And thus, countless numbers of civically-minded people become disenchanted and turn away from a public life to focus on personal pursuits. Self-development is no doubt something we should all strive for but a singular focus on self is unhealthy. It would be a shame if America collapsed into solipsism.
Justice Kennedy is going to retire while the Republican cabal in charge puts Giuliani in his seat, batting away any reference to Merrick Garland. Seth Meyers shares a perfect example of this phenomenon earlier this week here. So it really doesn’t matter what you do, everybody. Take a chill pill and hypnotize yourself with your smartphone. Your betters have it all handled.
It’s always cool to learn new terms, even when they’re depressing! Maybe one day this knowledge will help bring it into consciousness, and form it into a new meme. Maybe.
