Connection Across Time

It is interesting to study the rise of dictators right before the second world war. All of the dictators seem to have started off in a relatively insignificant party. That would have made it easier to gain complete control of the party. The real challenge then lies in getting support for the party after control over that party has been gained by an individual. This support will only come during hard times. It was the economic troubles in Europe that brought Hitler and Mussolini to power.

While I doubt that there is any threat of a dictator coming to power in the United States, I wonder how bad the economy has to get in order to allow a third party a strong foothold in our country. I know that there are other parties around in the US, but they are overwhelmingly crushed by the popularity of the Republicans and the Democrats. Instead, other minor parties support the candidates of one or the other. Economic hardships just are not bad enough right now to cause any revolution of this system. We may be facing some of the worst times I have ever seen, but I am sure it does not match the difficulties of the Great Depression at all. Another thing that makes it difficult for a third party to gain power is the change in media. As the 20th century progressed, the media became a more integral part of society. It is expensive to advertise effectively. No third party can stand up to the raw financial power the two main parties possess. I do not know how the rest of the world functions in terms of elections (at least in those countries that do hold elections), but it seems incredible to think about how a small party, such as the fascists, could gain so much power.