Politics
Out of context: Reply #24464
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- drgs0
Why is this book not cited non-stop?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It…
It Can't Happen Here, 1935 political novel by Sinclair Lewis.
In 1936 Senator Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip, a charismatic and power-hungry politician, wins the election as President of the United States on a populist platform, promising to restore the country to prosperity and greatness, and promising each citizen $5,000 a year
Though having previously foreshadowed some authoritarian measures in order to reorganize the United States government, Windrip rapidly outlaws dissent, incarcerates political enemies in concentration camps, and trains and arms a paramilitary force called the Minute Men, who terrorize citizens and enforce the policies of Windrip and his "corporatist" regime.
One of his first acts as president is to eliminate the influence of the United States Congress, which draws the ire of many citizens as well as the legislators themselves. The Minute Men respond to protests against Windrip's decisions harshly, attacking demonstrators with bayonets. In addition to these actions, Windrip's administration, known as the "Corpo" government, curtails women's and minority rights, and eliminates individual states by subdividing the country into administrative sectors.
The government of these sectors is managed by "Corpo" authorities, usually prominent businessmen or Minute Men officers. Those accused of crimes against the government appear before kangaroo courts presided over by "military judges".
Despite these dictatorial (and "quasi-draconian") measures, a majority of Americans approve of them, seeing them as necessary but painful steps to restore American power. Others, those less enthusiastic about the prospect of corporatism, reassure themselves that fascism cannot "happen here", hence the novel's title.
- There was another "alternate history" book like this recently, in which Charles Lindbergh is the one who defeats FDR.yuekit
- https://en.wikipedia…yuekit
- I'm going to have to read this one.Continuity
- could be good, but it's also 82 years old. if it hasn't been cited before...********
- yep, added to my list a few weeks back. creepy innit?jaylarson