True. Maybe all governments everywhere are moving toward totalitarianism?

@GlyndonD they are.

Wealth is power, as it concentrates oligarchy and authoritarianism will follow, enabled by technology.

@WileEQuixote , I think our unsustainable debt and unfunded liabilities will eventually destroy our currency and the world's economy before the two major parties compromise ourselves into a totalitarian state. But the people will turn to a totalitarian dictator's promises of restoring the good life of yesteryear. They will not learn their lesson and move to the opposite of totalitarianism -- libertarianism. That's the way it goes, every single time.

@GlyndonD we're already a plutocratic oligarchy, but they've hidden their castles behind manicured gates so the masses on their phones never noticed

@WileEQuixote I think even the wealthy will not escape the coming meltdown. Society has been made dependent on the government, and when the trough is suddenly empty, with no way to fill it, there will be mass revolt and mass rioting.

I'm watching The Walking Dead, and taking good notes...

@GlyndonD They will. Google around about their private armies, their private islands, their private bunker fortresses. Trust me, they'll be fine.

@WileEQuixote You can't support a private army or bunch of servants for long if you're off the grid (power, water, food, whatever). Those cloistered peasants will soon revolt, and slaughter and pillage the king.

@GlyndonD nah, just like in medieval times, loyalty to one's feudal lord will bind them.

In fact, for most, it'll be all they have left.
Some misbegotten notion of honor, service, loyalty.
Never underestimate the power of service and the craving for command.

@WileEQuixote But you have to feed your minions, and provide for their future. They will expect a good pension, too.

@GlyndonD There's food in the bunker. And power/control is its own payment.

@WileEQuixote It would have to be a very big bunker.

We're getting there without the need of a figure, unfortunately.

I would agree with that.

Yes, totalitarian regimes need mysticism. "Have faith in me" is the common theme. Faith in mistaken ideas leads to destruction, despite the rational application thereof.

america attacked many of them : libya syria iraq venezuela cuba. and yet to me they look totally authoritarian and are supposedly without religion ?

@markdevenish Libya, Syria and Iraq are all Muslim countries. Cuba and Venezuela are both Catholic countries. Don't quite understand what any of that has to do with America attacking, not to mention that we have not attacked Venezuela that I know of.

Yes many fascist states were actually Catholic.

Hitler thought that god was on his side. And so does every sect in every sectarian war.

I agree. Saying it doesn't make it so.

I'm posting to a website, not writing my thesis.

@GlyndonD you still need some sort of evidence or ablity to back your claim

@GlyndonD - The statement you make is a highly interesting to anyone interested in cultural anthropology, so for me to quote it to someone else without knowing if it's true or not is irresponsible... that's all. I'm not accusing you; only asking you to back up what you say.

@Hominid The most significant totalitarian governments the past century have been officially atheist. Do I have to name them? I reject your request.

@Fulishsage No I don't -- you get what you pay for.

@GlyndonD You don't play well, do you? That's fine.

@GlyndonD so I just consider it made up and move on.

like poland

At the moment, yes. Before that, it was Obama, and before that...

Given the Evangelical worship of Trump and his sudden embracing of all things Christian (except of course fidelity, kindness, adultery, sympathy and most other so called Christian values) for the purpose of political expediency, he is the perfect dictator and example of what I stated earlier in this thread. With religion on his side, it makes it much easier to baffle the unquestioning masses. Con men and women love the true believers, they are so easily led!