There has been an upswing in people noting that the Republican Party, and about 30% of Americans, are acting like cultists when it comes to Trump.
This is, of course, depressing in that cult members are not swayed by rational argument. Or at least, they think they are being rational, when in fact they have lost all objectively. Getting them out of a cult mindset usually takes a long time.
On the other hand, I was musing idly while in traffic this morning, cults, whether they be of religious or political nature, rarely last all that long, as far as the big picture of history goes. The tensions, power plays and rivalry within them eventually cause a break up, with members finally giving up and looking for another key to life. Think of the various Indian gurus gone bad, or your dictators with former public acclaim who end up on the end of a rope.
What's unique about the current situation is the role of the internet and private media (principally, of course, Rupert Murdoch) in prolonging cult worship and the complete lack of objectivity that is key to a cult's existence.
It would be more interesting if it weren't so worrying, this matter of how long modern communications and media can keep a political cult alive. But I guess I remain somewhat optimistic that the dam wall will break, and the disgust with which history will view the enablers of the cult will be long lasting.
No comments:
Post a Comment