Twentieth century history has too many examples of how dictators have come to power and then abused it, to the detriment of millions. The journeys of these self-serving men have been well documented and provide lessons for future generations: an extreme minority, convinced of righteousness by their demagogue leader, abetted by sympathetic media owners, makes the most noise and sets the political agenda, which it pursues with little inhibition to achieve absolute power.
What is less well understood is how or why ordinary citizens with families, jobs, pets and hobbies saw and let this happen. In Germany, for example, only some 11% of the people belonged to the Party which gained power in 1933 with less than half the vote, while the rest lost any representation and any alternative future.
Remember Bavaria in the 1930s
Remarkable books by two English women, born half-a-century apart, offer extraordinary insights into how national socialism crept into the fabric of communities and individuals’ lives. Each takes a town in Bavaria in the 1930s as their petri dish. Crooked Cross, a novel by Sally Carson was written in 1933, even before Hitler became chancellor of Germany, and is based on her lived experience. Her insights into what was about to happen are extraordinary.
A Village in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd is non-fiction history, based on detailed research long after the events concerned. From these two complementary narratives, dispassionate and humane, we learn much about the journey of ordinary citizens towards radicalisation or submission at the hands of the ruthless.
One egregious skill of the would-be tyrant is the identification of grievances genuinely felt by citizens. These can be used to ascribe blame and thence to target those so selected as culpable for the woes of the nation. A political party is created to present these confected notions to the rest of the populace.
Such a party is promoted and recruited from local communities, its members being neighbours and friends, employees and family of others, as with other democratic parties: legitimate, seemingly benign, normalising a party presence in media and elections, local or national. So far, so democratic.
Risking democracy
Even when in minority or opposition, such a party will want to be seen to make a difference to gain popular support. From here on, it will have two key differentiations from other parties. First, the local representatives, emulating the national lead, will start to challenge the norms established for democratic bodies, with bullying tactics and antisocial behaviour. Second, a private army of thugs is encouraged to lead the assault on the chosen victims, delivering that difference.
As these parallel strands of bullying elicit impunity through the weakness of the authorities, so they will expand, ultimately neutralising opposition. Some more unaffected citizens may join the party, seeing it as representing change for the better, that is a new social order, or they may simply sniff an advancement opportunity. Most shrink fearfully into smaller lives: they are the silent majority. Thus the ruthless minority gains unrestrained power in a previously tranquil if neglected community. Democracy is lost.
The story of Bavaria in the 1930s depicted by these authors heralds what is beginning in the USA today. It could be our own tomorrow. A far Right party with a racist leader; a toe-hold in parliament; seats on local authorities; political norms challenged; anonymous funders; semi-detached but sympathetic hate-spreading bullies active; apathy to politics abounds (even in the heavily publicised Gorton and Denton by-election turnout was less that half of the electorate). The elements are coming into place.
We must not retreat to smaller lives
Much blame is justifiably levelled at leaders of minorities abusing their power but who gifts that power or lets this happen? All the people bear some responsibility. In a democracy, we the people elect not only the government but the opposition and local authorities. We are now watching ever more successful attempts by the far-Right to achieve a foothold at all levels.
How often is the racism or hatred propounded by its mouthpieces challenged? The main response so far has been for more centrist established parties to copy rather than to stand against the gratuitous racist, anti-immigration platform.
We, the majority, must not retreat to smaller lives, remain silent in the face of racism nor risk our way of life by negligence. If political opposition is required, whether at local or national elections, let us find and elect those who really offer it. Let us have the courage ourselves not to stand idly by in our daily lives. Why claim to prefer democracy while letting it wither?
We must demand fair voting, decency in public life and leaders who stand up to self-seeking bullies. We must demand a vision for the future in which we all share. We must vote. What is the use of a majority if it is silent? We have been warned.
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