Dictators love to blame ‘The Boogeyman’
Jack Snyder illustration
President Donald Trump recently cast the Democrats as “the party of hate, evil, and Satan.” This incendiary language serves a dual purpose: it presents an easy target for political scapegoating while deflecting attention away from critical issues afflicting the nation. This tactic of blaming an enemy — real or imagined — has become a hallmark of authoritarian regimes throughout history and is a dangerous practice that undermines democratic discourse.
Throughout the modern era, despots have utilized the art of scapegoating to consolidate their power and distract citizens from the consequences of their harmful policies. Adolf Hitler infamously targeted Jews and communists, portraying them as the root of Germany’s troubles during a period of economic despair and social unrest. His propaganda fueled hatred that would have catastrophic consequences, culminating in the genocide of millions. In Iran, the Ayatollah has perpetuated the myth of the “Great Satan” to rally the populace against external threats, conveniently ignoring domestic failures and dissent. Similarly, Vladimir Putin has used the specter of “neo-Nazis” in Ukraine as justification for aggressive military action, framing Russia’s invasion as a defensive measure against Western influence.
Trump’s allegations against Democrats fit squarely into this playbook. Instead of addressing the complex and multifaceted issues faced by the American people — issues like healthcare, economic inequality, and climate change — he offers a simplified narrative that casts political opponents as the source of the nation’s ills. This strategy not only polarizes this deeply divided nation further but also erodes the very fabric of democratic debate. By labeling opponents with terms suggesting evil and malevolence, Trump taps into the primal fear of the “Other” — a tactic that has proven effective for authoritarian figures across the globe.
This type of rhetoric serves several dangerous functions. First, it legitimizes hostility towards those who hold differing views, creating an atmosphere where meaningful conversation and compromise become nearly impossible. Second, it fosters an environment of fear and paranoia, where citizens are compelled to choose sides in a manufactured moral war, often at the expense of critical thinking and truth. In doing so, it distracts from genuine issues that require collective effort and understanding.
History teaches us that when leaders scapegoat a perceived enemy, they often do so to mask their failures or to justify increasingly authoritarian measures. As the political landscape grows more contentious, we must remain vigilant against the rise of similar tactics that may threaten civil liberties and democratic principles. Authoritarianism thrives when citizens become distracted and disengaged, rendering them more susceptible to manipulation.
The implications of this trend extend far beyond political rivalries; they touch upon the fundamental freedoms that underpin American democracy. When political discourse devolves into demonization rather than debate, the very essence of our society is at stake. We risk losing the freedoms we once enjoyed, including the right to express dissent, criticize our leaders and engage in robust discussion about our future.
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Moreover, the language of hate employed by leaders like Trump not only fosters division but also emboldens extremist elements within society. As we have witnessed in recent years, such incendiary rhetoric can encourage acts of violence and further entrench societal divides. The potential for political violence in an atmosphere where “the enemy” is portrayed as evil should give us all pause.
The challenge before us is to reject this narrative of division and hatred. As citizens, we must seek to reclaim the discourse by fostering understanding and empathy across political divides. It is our responsibility to engage with and listen to those we disagree with rather than resort to scapegoating. We must remember that a thriving democracy requires robust debate, careful discourse and a commitment to the truth.
As we navigate an increasingly polarized landscape, we must be wary of leaders who, like dictators before them, wield “the boogeyman” as a political weapon. This is a clarion call to engage in our democracy, to question narratives that seek to divide us and to hold our leaders accountable for the use of fear mongering as a tool for political gain.
The strength of our democracy lies not in evading or blaming external threats, but in confronting the challenges we face collectively. If we do not take care to resist the allure of scapegoating, we may find ourselves slipping further away from the freedoms and democratic principles we hold dear. Let us stand united against tyranny — even when it wears the guise of populism — and insist on a political discourse that uplifts rather than demonizes, that seeks solutions rather than victors in a manufactured war. The choice is ours, and the future of our democracy depends on it.
(David Crane lives in Maggie Valley and is an internationally known attorney who is leading a team working on setting up a Special Tribunal for Ukraine on the Crimes of Aggression against Vladimir Putin.)
