America’s Drift Toward Executive Dominance and Cultural Decay
Introduction: The Unraveling of a Republic
Throughout history, no political entity has successfully pulled back from the brink once it has reached a state of cultural and institutional decay. The United States, once a bastion of Enlightenment thought, deliberative governance, and institutional checks and balances, now finds itself caught in a downward spiral. The slow erosion of legislative power, the increasing dominance of the executive branch, and the rejection of expertise in favor of populist sentiment have all but sealed its fate. Let me be clear: this began long before Trump. What follows is not an argument for recovery, but an examination of what comes next.
The Cultural Decay Behind Political Collapse
A constitutional republic relies on an informed, rational citizenry that values reason, debate, and institutional stability. The United States has shifted away from these principles, embracing trends that undermine its own foundations:
1. Anti-Science and Mystical Thinking
While modern society enjoys the benefits of technology, the cultural shift away from scientific thinking began in earnest in the 1960s with the hippie/youth movement. The rise of New Age beliefs, alternative medicine, and pseudoscience eroded trust in rigorous research, favoring “intuitive” knowledge over empirical evidence. This weakening of critical thinking has had long-term consequences, fostering susceptibility to conspiracy theories and irrational decision-making.
2. Anti-Elite Sentiment
The Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and corporate environmental and economic cover-ups permanently damaged public trust in authority. The belief that institutions serve only themselves led to a rejection of expertise and governance, allowing populists to seize power by portraying themselves as champions of the “everyman” against corrupt elites. This trend is not confined to one political side; both the left and right have embraced rhetoric that demonizes intellectuals and institutions.
3. Anti-Expert Knowledge and the Death of Discourse
The devaluation of expertise means that policy decisions are increasingly dictated by those with no understanding of the complexities involved. Civil discourse, once the foundation of a functioning democracy, is now replaced with tribalism, personal attacks, and the dismissal of inconvenient truths. Both major political factions contribute to this degradation, each accusing the other of blind ignorance while ignoring their own failings.
4. Anti-Education and the Cult of the “Strong Man”
A long-standing American ideal is rugged individualism, celebrated in both popular culture and national identity. This has led to a deep suspicion of intellectualism and formal education. In this narrative, only those “untainted” by diligent study and years of experience can clearly see problems and take decisive action—often through violence or authoritarianism—to restore a mythical past. This glorification of simplistic, forceful solutions is reinforced in films and other forms of popular entertainment, political rhetoric, and even in the rise of authoritarian leaders who promise to “cut through the red tape” and impose order.
5. Pro-Conspiracy Theories and the Need for Villains
The rejection of institutional trust fuels conspiracy thinking, which in turn justifies authoritarian control. The belief in shadowy cabals and grand plots encourages the public to seek simplistic, authoritarian solutions rather than engaging with the complexity of governance.
The Collapse of Enlightenment Liberalism
The Enlightenment principles that once shaped the United States—free inquiry, rational debate, constitutional balance—have been replaced with emotional reasoning, populist rhetoric, and authoritarian tendencies. The political spectrum now mocks these principles, prioritizing loyalty over logic, and outrage over discourse.
This shift mirrors historical collapses:
- The Roman Republic fell to Caesarism when deliberative governance was replaced with populist demagoguery.
- The Weimar Republic disintegrated as tribal polarization and economic instability destroyed public trust.
- Napoleon’s France arose from the ashes of a revolution that rejected rational governance in favor of military order.
The Inevitable Outcome: What Comes Next?
If the United States cannot reverse course—and history suggests it cannot—what follows? Four main possibilities emerge:
1. A Soft Autocracy (Managed Democracy)
Elections will continue, but they will serve as formalities rather than true expressions of the people’s will. The executive branch will consolidate power, the judiciary will be reshaped to align with political agendas, and the legislature will become a rubber-stamp body. Opposition will be tolerated only to the extent that it maintains the illusion of democracy. This model is already visible in Russia, Turkey, and Hungary—and is increasingly recognizable in the U.S.
2. A Rapid Collapse into Chaos
Some republics do not transition smoothly into autocracy but instead collapse into civil disorder. Deepening partisan hatred, economic instability, institutional distrust, and fragmented law enforcement could lead to a contested election triggering a constitutional crisis, mass unrest, or even secessionist movements. If this path is followed, the result will not be governance but internal strife.
3. A New Empire
When republics fail, charismatic strongmen often rise to offer “stability” in exchange for total power. Figures like Julius Caesar, Napoleon, and Hitler did not seize power by force alone—they were welcomed by societies desperate for order. If the U.S. reaches a breaking point, the emergence of a leader who consolidates power indefinitely is a likely scenario.
4. Balkanization: The Breakup of the United States
The final possibility is that the U.S. does not transition into autocracy or collapse into chaos, but simply fractures. Just as Rome’s Western Empire fragmented into separate kingdoms, or the Soviet Union disintegrated into independent states, America may reach a point where its regional divides become irreconcilable. Would Texas, California, and the Deep South want to remain under the same government indefinitely? If national unity fails, regional governance may take its place.
The Final Question: What Should We Do?
If America is past the point of no return, then the question shifts from “How do we fix it?” to “How do we prepare?”
- If a soft autocracy is coming → Learn how to operate within the system while maintaining intellectual independence.
- If civil chaos is coming → Build local networks, avoid ideological conflicts, and ensure self-sufficiency.
- If America fractures → Be ready for economic and political shifts, as some regions will thrive while others collapse.
It is no longer about saving the system—it is about navigating what comes next.
Conclusion: The Last Gasp of the Republic
Most Americans will believe everything is fine until the institutions that held the country together are suddenly gone. Historically, republics do not fall in a single moment; they erode over time until an event—usually a contested election, an economic collapse, or an internal conflict—pushes them over the edge.
The United States is already at the point where the warning signs are clear. The only question left is whether its collapse will be slow and controlled, or sudden and violent.
The republic as envisioned in 1789 is not coming back. The only thing left to do is decide how to survive what comes next.
A Note for Those Who Still See Hope
While I do not personally believe that any course correction will prevent America’s decline, I recognize that not everyone shares this perspective. There are those who remain committed to salvaging the system, and if hope still exists, it would lie in these measures:
- Strengthening Congress – Restoring legislative power by repealing term limits, reasserting oversight of executive agencies, and incentivizing deliberative policy-making.
- Reining in Executive Orders – Passing legislation to limit executive orders to their original constitutional intent.
- Restoring Judicial Independence – Protecting courts from political manipulation, particularly at the state level.
- Educating Citizens on Constitutional Principles – Many Americans are unaware of how their government is supposed to function. Civic literacy is a key defense against creeping autocracy.
For those who still believe in a path forward, this is where the fight would begin.