The erosion of democratic norms

[Somerville]

I grew up in Bermuda and graduated from high school there before we moved back to the States. To keep up with what's happening on the island(s) I subscribe to The Royal Gazette. Today, an editorial opinion column was published that noted what seems to be an "erosion" of what used to be seen as normal in the political scene.

Bermuda’s democratic heritage should be a point of pride; after all, we have the world’s third-oldest continuous parliament. This legacy means nothing, however, when leaders act like democracy is optional.

We began embracing real accountability, transparency and fairness only in recent years, and now this administration is hellbent on tearing down these principles. These are the very principles they frequently accuse the United Bermuda Party and One Bermuda Alliance of failing to uphold during their respective times in government. They brazenly disrespect the checks and balances meant to keep them honest — muzzling the media, crushing dissent, weaponising institutions of power and entrenching a patronage system that rewards loyalty over the public good. This isn’t a slow fade or a minor slip-up; it’s a full-on assault on our democracy. A power grab that reeks of authoritarian rule. It’s an illiberal contempt for the people of Bermuda that the Progressive Labour Party claims to support.

The tilt toward authoritarianism in Bermuda seems to be mirroring what is happening in the USA. YES, I see that in Bermuda, it is a left-wing political party that is acting in a bad manner. Such regression to authoritarian rule can carried out by those of any political lean as can be seen in the US. Reading the column, I noted that a website was mentioned, and linked, so I clicked on the link and found an Australian website - The Commons Library.

What are the Top 10 Elements of the Authoritarian Playbook?​

1. Divide and rule: Foment mistrust and fear in the population.
2. Spread lies and conspiracies: Undermine the public’s belief in truth.
3. Destroy checks and balances: Quietly use legal or pseudo-legal rationales to gut institutions, weaken opposition, and/or declare national emergencies to seize unconstitutional powers.
4. Demonize opponents and independent media: Undermine the public’s trust in those actors and institutions that hold the state accountable.
5. Undermine civil and political rights for the unaligned: Actively suppress free speech, the right to assembly and protest and the rights of women and minority groups.
6. Blame minorities, immigrants, and “outsiders” for a country’s problems: Exploit national humiliation while promising to restore national glory.
7. Reward loyalists and punish defectors: Make in-group members fearful to voice dissension.
8. Encourage or condone violence to advance political goals: Dehumanize opposition and/or out-groups to justify violence against them.
9. Organize mass rallies to keep supporters mobilized against made-up threats: Use fearmongering and hate speech to consolidate in-group identity and solidarity.
10. Make people feel like they are powerless to change things: Solutions will only come from the top.

Seem familiar?

 

[ModernDiogenes]

It is a global issue with democracies. It can be corrected. It requires a desire of a sufficient critical mass for that to take place.

In the a sense of that critical mass a smaller but more vocal and vastly more aggressive faction supporting other than democracy can influence negative change.

 

[Craig234]

It is a global issue with democracies. It can be corrected. It requires a desire of a sufficient critical mass for that to take place.

Sufficient critical mass is vague. A bit more specific is that our huge concentration of wealth is a powerful weapon against democracy and behind the weakening of it.

 

[ModernDiogenes]

Sufficient critical mass is vague. A bit more specific is that our huge concentration of wealth is a powerful weapon against democracy and behind the weakening of it.

That was the case in the last Gilded Age. It is so again this time around.

 

[aociswundumho]

All governments move towards authoritarianism. As TJ put it:

The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.

And that is exactly what the political left wants.

 

[Somerville]

All governments move towards authoritarianism. As TJ put it:



And that is exactly what the political left wants.

I didn't know that Trump and Musk were lefties.

If the move toward authoritarian government is a leftie thing, why is the Trump administration acting in such a manner?

 

[CLAX1911]

I live in a constitutional republic so I'm not bothered by this.

 

[Jay59]

I grew up in Bermuda and graduated from high school there before we moved back to the States. To keep up with what's happening on the island(s) I subscribe to The Royal Gazette. Today, an editorial opinion column was published that noted what seems to be an "erosion" of what used to be seen as normal in the political scene.

The tilt toward authoritarianism in Bermuda seems to be mirroring what is happening in the USA. YES, I see that in Bermuda, it is a left-wing political party that is acting in a bad manner. Such regression to authoritarian rule can carried out by those of any political lean as can be seen in the US. Reading the column, I noted that a website was mentioned, and linked, so I clicked on the link and found an Australian website - The Commons Library.

Seem familiar?

It does.

The Democrat's playbook concerning Trump from before the 2016 election.

Divide and rule: Foment mistrust and fear in the population. Division at levels not seen since the 1800s.​

Spread lies and conspiracies: Undermine the public’s belief in truth. Russia collusion was the first. The second volume of the Mueller report is another.​

Destroy checks and balances: Quietly use legal or pseudo-legal rationales to gut institutions, weaken opposition, and/or declare national emergencies to seize unconstitutional powers. Attempted with limited success. All Republican Supreme Court nominations were savagely attacked.​

Demonize opponents and independent media: Undermine the public’s trust in those actors and institutions that hold the state accountable. Is there a name the left has not called Trump. Fascist is the simplest.​

Undermine civil and political rights for the unaligned: Actively suppress free speech, the right to assembly and protest and the rights of women and minority groups. There was extensive censorship.​

Blame minorities, immigrants, and “outsiders” for a country’s problems: Exploit national humiliation while promising to restore national glory. Blame MAGA​

Reward loyalists and punish defectors: Make in-group members fearful to voice dissension. Elitism rules. Make derogatory remarks about former votes.​

Encourage or condone violence to advance political goals: Dehumanize opposition and/or out-groups to justify violence against them. BLM burned down three cities but was "mostly peaceful.​

Organize mass rallies to keep supporters mobilized against made-up threats: Use fearmongering and hate speech to consolidate in-group identity and solidarity. BLM again.​

Make people feel like they are powerless to change things: Solutions will only come from the top. That has been the plan for decades. Intimidate any dissent with accusations of racism or sexism.​

 

[aociswundumho]

I didn't know that Trump and Musk were lefties.

Trump was a registered democrat for eight years. He supports confiscating firearms without due process. He is pro-labor in the same way FDR was - supports private unions, but is against public unions. He's also a protectionist, which is left wing, while the right supports free markets and free trade.

If the move toward authoritarian government is a leftie thing, why is the Trump administration acting in such a manner?

Name the specific policies of Trump moving the USG towards authoritarianism and I'll try to address them.

 

[eohrnberger]

"The erosion of democratic norms"
Some of the most notable of which would be:

It looks like Obama did spy on Trump, just as he apparently did to me

The Obama administration spied on a range of journalists, elected officials and others.

thehill.com

Fox News reporter secretly monitored by Obama administration: court documents

Agents monitored James Rosen's movements in and out of the State Department, searched his personal emails and cell phone records

www.cbsnews.com

Why the Government Surveillance of Fox’s James Rosen Is Troubling

For one, it suggests that there may be other previously undisclosed examples of government surveillance of journalists.

www.motherjones.com

Or breaking 'norm' and spying on members of congress?

A Brief History of the CIA's Unpunished Spying on the Senate

President Obama's choice to lead the intelligence agency has undermined core checks and balances with impunity.

www.theatlantic.com

And lastly, the breaking of the norm by covering up and gaslighting about Ol' Joe's infirmities for the longest time after it had already become obvious to anyone with a pair of working eyes and ears.

 

[Somerville]

It does.

The Democrat's playbook concerning Trump from before the 2016 election.

Divide and rule: Foment mistrust and fear in the population. Division at levels not seen since the 1800s.​

Once again- a right-leaning person shows their lack of historical knowledge

Spread lies and conspiracies: Undermine the public’s belief in truth. Russia collusion was the first. The second volume of the Mueller report is another.​

"Spread lies and conspiracies" - in my opinion is a better description of rightie media. There was collusion and the Mueller report showed it to be true

Destroy checks and balances: Quietly use legal or pseudo-legal rationales to gut institutions, weaken opposition, and/or declare national emergencies to seize unconstitutional powers. Attempted with limited success. All Republican Supreme Court nominations were savagely attacked.​

Hmm, I seem to remember some Democratic nominations being blocked for a reason that Repubs no longer saw as valid when Trump was President. Pointing out issues with the past acts of SCOTUS nominees is not seen as savage attacks by rational persons.

Demonize opponents and independent media: Undermine the public’s trust in those actors and institutions that hold the state accountable. Is there a name the left has not called Trump. Fascist is the simplest.​

I. . . and what did the right call Obama? Or accusing old Sleepy Joe as being senile and not actually acting as President

Undermine civil and political rights for the unaligned: Actively suppress free speech, the right to assembly and protest and the rights of women and minority groups. There was extensive censorship.​

For some reason, I don't remember a Democratic administration ordering the military academies to remove certain books from their libraries, or supporting groups that demanded books be removed from not only school libraries but also public libraries. Also, I don't remember a Democratic president banning reporters and press agencies from the White House.

Blame minorities, immigrants, and “outsiders” for a country’s problems: Exploit national humiliation while promising to restore national glory. Blame MAGA​

YES

Reward loyalists and punish defectors: Make in-group members fearful to voice dissension. Elitism rules. Make derogatory remarks about former votes.​

Which party is pushing a court case in North Carolina that is an attempt to remove 60,000 voters from the rolls, following a loss in a recent election?

 

[Somerville]

Encourage or condone violence to advance political goals: Dehumanize opposition and/or out-groups to justify violence against them. BLM burned down three cities but was "mostly peaceful.​

Provide the names of the three cities that were "burned down" - or not, your choice.

Organize mass rallies to keep supporters mobilized against made-up threats: Use fearmongering and hate speech to consolidate in-group identity and solidarity. BLM again.​

"fearmongering and hate speech"

We watched 20 Trump rallies. His racist, anti-immigrant messaging is getting darker.​

A POLITICO analysis of more than 20 of his rallies and campaign events shows Trump has demonized minority groups in all of them.

Trump loyalists spew racist, vulgar attacks at Harris and Democrats at New York City rally​

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/27/politics/trump-rally-madison-square-garden-vulgar-attacks/index.html

Make people feel like they are powerless to change things: Solutions will only come from the top. That has been the plan for decades. Intimidate any dissent with accusations of racism or sexism.​

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/27/politics/trump-rally-madison-square-garden-vulgar-attacks/index.html
When an accusation is an accurate description of the words and acts being spewed out to an adoring crowd, maybe it will cause at least a few Trump cultists to rethink their support. Why were the pages describing the heroic acts of people of colour deleted from multiple government websites?

Today - Harriet Tubman reference removed from National Park Service’s Underground Railroad web page
15 Mar 2025 - Arlington Cemetery strips content on black and female veterans from website

 

[Jay59]

Once again- a right-leaning person shows their lack of historical knowledge

Or your do.

"Spread lies and conspiracies" - in my opinion is a better description of rightie media. There was collusion and the Mueller report showed it to be true

The Russia Collusion was a hoax and was so proven.

hmm, I seem to remember some Democratic nominations being blocked for a reason that Repubs no longer saw as valid when Trump was President. Pointing out issues with the past acts of SCOTUS nominees is not seen as savage attacks by rational persons.

You are leaving the realm of sanity.

I. . . and what did the right call Obama? Or accusing old Sleepy Joe as being senile and not actually acting as President

That's right.

The right claimed Biden was incompetent--for good reason.

For some reason, I don't remember a Democratic administration ordering the military academies to remove certain books from their libraries, or supporting groups that demanded books be removed from not only school libraries but also public libraries. Also, I don't remember a Democratic president banning reporters and press agencies from the White House.

Not recognizing Democratic censorship.

You were in deep.

YES

Glad you agree.

Which party is pushing a court case in North Carolina that is an attempt to remove 60,000 voters from the rolls, following a loss in a recent election?

Republicans.

Was it justified?

Oh. It was justified. What was your point?

 

[Somerville]

Denial of reality does appear to be required for membership in the Trump/Musk cult

 

[markdc]

All governments move towards authoritarianism. As TJ put it:



And that is exactly what the political left wants.

Aspects of human nature, such as self-interest, herd mentality, and the need for sustenance and security, ensures that people will always be inclined toward Authoritarianism, especially in times of political, economic, and social change or instability.
Most people are happy to have liberty, but they will always value their personal interests (i.e. the welfare of themselves and their loved ones) more, and if the latter is threatened, or perceived to be threatened, liberty will go right out the window. If people are facing physical danger, unemployment, or starvation and they feel that those in power aren’t adequately meeting their needs, they will turn to leaders who they believe will alleviate their situation, including tyrants and demagogues.
To quote William E. Borah, the Progressive Republican Senator from Idaho who served during the Great Depression: “The people can’t eat the Constitution.”

Mark

 

[j brown's body]

All governments move towards authoritarianism. As TJ put it:



And that is exactly what the political left wants.

As seen in Trump's leftist government.

 

[j brown's body]

"The erosion of democratic norms"
Some of the most notable of which would be:

It looks like Obama did spy on Trump, just as he apparently did to me

The Obama administration spied on a range of journalists, elected officials and others.

thehill.com

Fox News reporter secretly monitored by Obama administration: court documents

Agents monitored James Rosen's movements in and out of the State Department, searched his personal emails and cell phone records

www.cbsnews.com

Why the Government Surveillance of Fox’s James Rosen Is Troubling

For one, it suggests that there may be other previously undisclosed examples of government surveillance of journalists.

www.motherjones.com

Or breaking 'norm' and spying on members of congress?

A Brief History of the CIA's Unpunished Spying on the Senate

President Obama's choice to lead the intelligence agency has undermined core checks and balances with impunity.

www.theatlantic.com

And lastly, the breaking of the norm by covering up and gaslighting about Ol' Joe's infirmities for the longest time after it had already become obvious to anyone with a pair of working eyes and ears.

Two James Rosen links? Is the list that short?

 

[L88]

I grew up in Bermuda and graduated from high school there before we moved back to the States. To keep up with what's happening on the island(s) I subscribe to The Royal Gazette. Today, an editorial opinion column was published that noted what seems to be an "erosion" of what used to be seen as normal in the political scene.


The tilt toward authoritarianism in Bermuda seems to be mirroring what is happening in the USA. YES, I see that in Bermuda, it is a left-wing political party that is acting in a bad manner. Such regression to authoritarian rule can carried out by those of any political lean as can be seen in the US. Reading the column, I noted that a website was mentioned, and linked, so I clicked on the link and found an Australian website - The Commons Library.


Seem familiar?

Very much so, the 2 political parties in this country have been operating like this since 1980. It's only intensified year after year.

 

[eohrnberger]

Two James Rosen links? Is the list that short?

I guess the significance of Obama's administration spying on both congress and the free press escapes you, when a Democrat does it.
Typical.

 

[j brown's body]

I guess the significance of Obama's administration spying on both congress and the free press escapes you, when a Democrat does it.
Typical.

You gave 2 examples. One repeated itself.

You do realize Trump is a convicted felon and lucky he’s not on trial now while Manifort did go to prison.

 

[eohrnberger]

You gave 2 examples. One repeated itself.

You do realize Trump is a convicted felon

DRINK!

and lucky he’s not on trial now while Manifort did go to prison.