The Post-Rule-of-Law Society: Signs of Collapse and Paths to Resistance

 

Welcome to the beginning of the post-rule-of-law society. Since I posted that original prediction two months ago, America has seen the assassination of a Health Insurance CEO and a veteran bombing a Tesla outside Trump Tower. 

These events are not isolated. They are all symptoms of a system in collapse, where the foundations of law, order, and trust in institutions have eroded. Each act of violence, each instance of lawlessness, is a reflection of deeper fractures in the social contract that binds a society together. When citizens no longer believe that justice is impartial, that leaders are accountable, or that systems are fair, they begin to act outside the boundaries of those systems. These actions, whether driven by despair, anger, or a loss of faith in peaceful solutions, are not random—they are the inevitable outcome of a society failing to address its core inequities and uphold the principles that sustain it.

When a convicted criminal, who incited a violent attack on our Capitol four years ago, not only gets away with his crimes but is elevated to the highest office in the land, it undermines law and order overall. It can be argued that the post-rule-of-law society really began when the Supreme Court aided him in getting away with crimes by granting him unprecedented and unnecessary legal "immunity" (Trump v United States 2024). Legal immunity is unnecessary unless you intend to act outside the law. 

Government is only legitimate when it operates with the consent of the governed. Governmental systems only function when the people trust them and are not openly resisting them. When people stop trusting the government in general and specific government institutions like the courts, violence becomes inevitable. People will seek redress for their grievances, even if there is not a peaceful way to do so, even if the only redress available is vengeance.   

The damage is already done but things can get worse. For example, if Trump does pardon all the January 6th rioters, it will solidify the perception of arbitrary, partisan justice, accelerating the descent into chaos.

When the law is not applied equally and the wealthy are allowed to live above it, the law becomes nothing more than a tool to control the poor, stripping it of justice and making rebellion not only understandable but inevitable.

This is not even new information. All I am pointing out is that the destabilization is already visible. Historians have noted the phenomenon I am describing in an article titled, "History shows that societies collapse when leaders undermine social contracts" (Link) - 
"This pattern of amoral leaders destabilizing their societies goes way back—the paper uses the Roman Empire as an example. The Roman emperor Commodus inherited a state with economic and military instability, and he didn't rise to the occasion; instead, he was more interested in performing as a gladiator and identifying himself with Hercules. He was eventually assassinated, and the empire descended into a period of crisis and corruption. These patterns can be seen today, as corrupt or inept leaders threaten the core principles and, hence, the stability of the places they govern. Mounting inequality, concentration of political power, evasion of taxation, hollowing out of bureaucratic institutions, diminishment of infrastructure, and declining public services are all evidenced in democratic nations today."

Hope is not lost. Fascist regimes can be resisted, and nations can rebuild stronger. Start by organizing within your community—join advocacy groups or form your own. Study the successes and failures of resistance movements, from the French Resistance of World War II to the White Rose Society of 1930s Germany. Resist oppression with peaceful noncompliance whenever possible, but prepare for tougher measures if necessary. And above all, cultivate the ideas that will guide your community through rebuilding when the dictator is removed. Imagine a better world and then work toward that vision. That is how all progress is made. 

 

Ways To Heal The Political Divide in America

I asked ChatGPT how we can heal the political divide in America and this is what it said:

In recent years, the political divide in America has grown to a level that many find alarming. With the upcoming presidential election on the horizon, it is more important than ever to find a way to bridge this gap. Here are a few ways that we can work to heal the political divide in America: 1. Embrace Open-Mindedness: One of the main reasons for the political divide is the tendency for people to become entrenched in their own beliefs. We need to be open to the idea that the other side may have valid points and be willing to listen to what they have to say. It is important to remember that we can disagree without being disagreeable. 2. Focus on Common Ground: Instead of dwelling on areas of disagreement, focus on finding common ground. This can be anything from shared values to mutual interests. Focusing on the things that we can agree on will help to build understanding and respect. 3. Find Compromise: Compromise is essential to bridge the political divide. We must be willing to give and take in order to reach a consensus that works for everyone. It is important to remember that compromise is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength and a willingness to work together. 4. Respect the Process: Elections are an essential part of our democracy and should be respected. We must remember that the outcome of the election is the will of the people, and we should respect the process and accept the results. 5. Have Conversations: We need to be willing to have meaningful conversations about our differences. We must be willing to have open dialogue and be respectful of one another’s views. The more we talk, the more we can understand each other and the closer we can come to bridging the divide.

These are just a few ways that we can work to heal the political divide in America. We must remember that we are all Americans and that we all have a responsibility to work together to make our country a better place.