State Security Forces Or Paramilitaries Need Not Apply

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/liberal-hyperbole-trump-coup.html

An interesting article but, as often happens, one particular point has especially irritated me. The author, Eric Levitz, makes a point by misdefining a word.

>To left-wing contrarians, meanwhile, describing Trump’s antics as a “coup” was nearly as absurd as Rudy Giuliani’s legal theories. This was not a violent seizure of power aided by state security forces or paramilitaries.<

Lexicolatry defines coup as: ‘A violent or illegal change in government.’  Note that a coup does not need to be violent. Any illegal overthrow of the government is also a coup.

I know this may seem like a minor offense, but to me the misuse of words is an extremely serious matter; especially when this abuse of language is intended to make some important point.  It is especially irritating that this author declares those he is criticizing are committing an “absurdity” by accurately utilizing a term which he inaccurately defines.

(Or, as I am more inclined to put it, sloppy language leads to sloppy thinking.)

I have numerous serious issues with the article. For example, Trump is not, as it suggests, a momentary “presentism” oddity. He’s the culmination of at least 40 years of Republicans’ determined efforts to destroy democracy in America. The author seems unaware of this fact. I also am offended by experts who declare that our democracy is strong. Our democracy is very near death and the Republicans are determined to put it in its grave. The fact that we squeaked by this time has left us all the weaker.

Essentially, I found the entire article to be a clear example of denialism. It is determined effort to refuse to face reality. This has allowed Republicans as a party to undermine democracy at every level of government. “It can’t happen here!” Is a cry that should be familiar to anyone aware of the history of fascism.   In reality, it not only can happen here, it has been happening for decades and it is continuing to happen now. A slow motion coup remains a coup.

Well the author accurately points out failures on the part of Trump’s attempts, he ignores the many successes. Nearly half of American voters believe this nonsense and have already surrendered their dedication to democracy. That is no small thing!

As I anticipated, Republicans are using this lack of confidence in democracy to press forward even more gerrymandering and voter restriction measures. The racists, whichever party was their home, have been doing this since the days of Reconstruction. It is not an example of  “presentism”.

I can go on pointing out the many flaws in this article, but honestly, I find them too irritating. I can only be reminded again of the growth of fascism in Italy, Germany, and even America. “He’s just a politician.”  “It’s just a phase.”  And let’s never forget Fukuyama’s famous conviction that democracy in the world was so strong that we had reached the end of history.

It can happen here. It is happening here. Refusing to face that fact will allow it to happen here.

Final note: the fact that the author later says that a figurative coup could be perceived as taking place does not ignore the fact that he misdefined the word in making one of his foolish points.