Could Covid-19 kill off the era of the strongman?

[Soph0571]

Graphic mine

I have said from the beginning you cannot gaslight a virus. As the bodies pile up in the homes of the strongman and the wannabe strongman, because they may talk the talk of being at 'war' with the virus, but have no clue about how to handle the pandemic other than bluster and bullshit and bollocks, the question has to be at what point the populace says, enough. Particularly when for the majority the economic consequences are going to be so devastating. People will put up with many things for the supposed security that a strongman offers, but if their kids start to starve and die... Vive la Révolution?!?!

[DonaldsRump]

1. Excellent! n/t

[Cirque du So-What]

2. While I agree with this assessment

I don't gleefully anticipate revolution. Whether it more resembles France ca 1789 or Spain ca 1936, the results are never good for the citizenry.

[empedocles]

6. But, the Black Plague was good for the serfs

'The Black Death was one such occurrence that killed almost half of the population in England. This plague left very few people who could work in the field. There was a greater demand for serfs and this opportunity was ideal for serfs to re-bargain the agreements they had with their lords.
Serfs in the Middle Ages - The Finer Times

www.thefinertimes.com/serfs-in-the-middle-ages

[Jedi Guy]

3. I very much doubt that Covid-19 will kill off the era of the strongman.

The simple reason is that there really isn't an "era of the strongman." That phenomenon has been around as long as human civilization, and will persist for that same reason. It's baked in or hardwired, to a certain extent. It comes and goes in waves based on the circumstances of the time.

In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, I think it's actually more likely that strongmen will rise. Perhaps not here, but definitely elsewhere in the world. Hell, it's been happening in Russia for years and will continue to happen. It's happening now in Hungary, as Orban uses the pandemic to gather more power to himself.

When people are scared and uncertain, as in a recession/depression in the wake of a once-in-a-generation event, that's a fertile breeding ground for strongmen to do their thing.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

4. So true

The strongman mentality has to stop.

The president is not meant to be the nation's harsh, abusive daddy that creates illusory " security.". There is no security in licking boots of a capricious strongman abuser.
Too many individuals issues get projected on the offices of power .

[Orrex]

5. People still dump truckloads of money on failed apocalyptic preachers

So, no, the era of the "Strong" man is far from over.

I'd love for Ms. Lewis to be correct, but history and human nature don't really give me much optimism in this.

[Celerity]

7. so far it is ushering in a new era of strongmen, especially in certain parts Europe

one of several articles and OP's I have posted on the subject, and unfortunately not the last

NYT : Poland and Hungary Use Coronavirus to Punish Opposition

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213333586

[superpatriotman]

8. Call me a cynic

I fear consolidation of power as hopelessness spreads. Right wing nationalism is rising.

[skip fox]

9. I was thinking of something a bit more subtle like

the virus might make more Americans believe that collective action at certain times is infinitely more valuable than individual assertions of self. As Americans we live in a culture which values self-reliance and individualism over government and science.

World War II did this for my father's generation.

And now, with climate change threatening mankind's existence, would be a perfect time to start valuing experience and government.

Climate Change will make the coronavirus look like having to spend an afternoon with a boring cousin.

[Vogon_Glory]

10. While I can see the ousting of Trump and Brazil's Bolsonaro

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and North Korea’s Kim still look safe for now.