That time we had authoritarianism in Minnesota during World War I

By: Greg Gaut

Outlets: Minnesota Reformer

Published: March 18, 2026

Words: 1,508

Last Updated: 3 days, 1 hour ago

Body Text Preview

How do democratic countries fall prey to authoritarian demagogues?

Although every case is unique, politicians seeking to subvert democratic rule often follow a similar playbook. They create fear by talking about a catastrophe facing society, fostered by internal enemies, who happen to be their political adversaries. Often, they claim these opponents are in cahoots with foreigners. They demand unquestioning unity in the face of this supposed threat. They dehumanize their opponents, which justifies efforts …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us