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The Swiss Exception
How a small country has (so far) avoided the global descent into mindless populism
For anyone who’s been paying attention to global affairs, the years since 2015 have been deeply discouraging. Commencing with Brexit and then continuing with Trump, nation after nation has fallen into the trap of pandering to humanity’s worst instincts. The roll-call of populist/nationalist nations is now terrifying: UK, USA, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, China, Brazil, Poland, and multiple nations across Africa. Standing in the wings waiting to join are France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Austria, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and several other African nations.
The collapse of civilization is always the same: one or more cynical demagogues claims that the nation faces an existential threat from some group; that group is then demonized; the populace is urged to back the “strong leader” who will save the nation from this fabricated threat; lies replace facts and absurd promises gull the simple-minded. An us-versus-them mentality is established and reason is turned into treason.
Most people, meanwhile, continue with their lives blithely unaware of the fact civilization is coming to an end. No doubt ordinary Roman citizens also went about their lives as the Empire collapsed around them. After all, the daily chores and responsibilities don’t go away…
