How has authoritarianism changed in the 21st century compared to the 20th?

Authoritarianism in the 21st century is characterized by a different style than 20th-century examples like military coups. The erosion of democratic norms is more subtle, involving the weaponization of legal systems and the quiet ceding of congressional power, rather than overt force.

Which institutions are most crucial for checking authoritarianism in the US?

The speaker identifies the rule of law and the Justice Department, Congress, and the Defense Department as key institutions. Their failure to maintain independence and constitutional authority makes them vulnerable to being subverted for political gain.

Why don't more Americans seem concerned about the current political climate?

Despite evident corruption and norm erosion, many people experience an 'eerie normality' in their daily lives, such as continued access to media and stable routines. Abstract scandals, like financial dealings, may not register as immediate threats compared to overt oppression.

Is Trump being prosecuted during the Biden administration proof of authoritarianism?

While there's a 'gray area,' the speaker argues it's not Biden personally directing a hunt for a prosecutor. The longer timeline for investigating January 6th cases under Garland, as opposed to the speed of Trump's politically motivated prosecutions, suggests a difference in approach.

Why is blatant corruption seemingly more acceptable than hypocrisy?

Trump's shamelessness means he doesn't acknowledge corruption as a negative, unlike hypocrisy which people find infuriating. While hypocrisy signals adherence to norms (even if pretended), shamelessness in corruption bypasses these standards entirely, making it a perceived 'superpower' for some.

What role does social media play in public reactions to scandals and apologies?

Social media amplifies outrage, turning public apologies into spectacles that resemble 'cultural revolution confessions' rather than acts of atonement. The focus shifts to punishing perceived weakness, making shamelessness a more effective strategy for retaining power.

We're Already Living Under Authoritarianism (feat. George Packer)

Sam Harris

Science & Technology3 min read24 min video

Nov 17, 2025|117,345 views|2,752|832

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Key Moments

TL;DR

US democracy is eroding into authoritarianism, losing checks and balances, and normalizing corruption.

Key Insights

The US is exhibiting authoritarian characteristics, not through overt force, but through subtle institutional decay.

Key institutions like the Justice Department, Congress, and the military are failing to provide checks on executive power.

Corruption has reached unprecedented levels and is normalized due to shamelessness and a lack of public alarm.

Hypocrisy, once a political failing, has been replaced by brazen corruption, which some find more palatable.

The public's apathy towards democratic collapse is partly due to the persistent facade of normality in daily life.

Apologies in the public sphere are often perceived as weakness, leading to further attacks rather than redemption.

THE SUBTLE SLIDE INTO AUTHORITARIANISM

George Packer argues that the United States is already living under a form of authoritarianism, diverging from traditional 20th-century models. This shift isn't marked by overt military takeovers or mass repression, but by the insidious erosion of democratic norms and institutions from within. The article highlights that in the 21st century, the decay of democracy manifests differently, often masked by a persistent veneer of normalcy that makes widespread public recognition of the collapse difficult.

THE CRUMBLING PILLARS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Packer identifies critical institutions that are failing to check unchecked power. The Justice Department, once independent, is increasingly used as a political weapon by the executive branch to target opponents, a stark departure from post-Watergate norms. Congress has ceased to function effectively, abdicating its constitutional powers of taxation and spending to the president, particularly evident in the Republican party's passive acceptance of executive overreach. The Defense Department is also at risk, with potential for the president to wield it as a partisan tool, exemplified by politically motivated firings of military leaders.

UNPRECEDENTED CORRUPTION AND PUBLIC INDIFFERENCE

A striking element of this authoritarian drift is the normalization of corruption. Unlike past scandals that generated significant public outcry, current levels of corruption, involving direct financial gains for political figures and their families through questionable deals and foreign payments, are met with relative apathy. This stands in stark contrast to the intense scrutiny applied to lesser transgressions by previous administrations, suggesting a profound desensitization to serious ethical breaches in public life.

THE POWER OF SHAMELESSNESS OVER HYPOCRISY

The discussion explores how the political landscape has shifted from a concern with hypocrisy to an acceptance of blatant corruption, primarily due to the superpower of shamelessness. Trump, by refusing to acknowledge norms or ethical standards, avoids the charge of hypocrisy, which was once a significant political liability. This brazenness, rather than being a disqualifier, becomes a shield, making his actions seem more acceptable to some because they are openly displayed, unlike the perceived sneakiness of hypocrisy.

THE PHANTOM OF NORMALCY

A core reason for the public's apparent lack of alarm is the persistence of daily life's outward normality. Despite the profound institutional decay, citizens can still access information, commute to work, and engage in their routines largely unimpeded. This eerie stability creates a disconnect, making it difficult for many to grasp the abstract nature of the democratic collapse or to perceive the magnitude of the changes unfolding, leading to a state of cognitive dissonance where alarming events are downplayed or ignored.

APOLOGY AS WEAKNESS IN THE MODERN ARENA

The public sphere, especially influenced by social media, has transformed the act of apology from a path to atonement into a confession of weakness. When public figures apologize, it often triggers intensified outrage rather than redemption, leading to a 'cultural revolution' style of public shaming. Politicians who survive scandals tend to be those who deny wrongdoing or ignore criticism, highlighting that in contemporary politics, shame and self-reproach are seen as liabilities, while shamelessness offers a strategic advantage for retaining power.

DEFIANCE IN THE FACE OF TRANSPARENCY

The Jeffrey Epstein case is identified as a potential sticking point, an issue that even the MAGA movement struggles to dismiss or reframe. This suggests that certain revelations, even within a climate of widespread apathy and institutional decay, can still resonate and potentially serve as a catalyst for greater public awareness or accountability, though the extent of this impact remains uncertain in the current political environment.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Companies

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

The speaker points to the use of the Justice Department as a personal police force by the president, the erosion of Congress's power to tax and spend, and instances of the defense department being used for partisan purposes. These are seen as qualitative breaks from previous norms.

Topics

Presidential Power Justice Department Congress Military Public Apathy Shamelessness

Mentioned in this video

conceptJanuary 6th

The events of January 6th serve as a case study for the slow pace of legal proceedings against Trump, which the speaker contrasts with the speed of prosecutions against political enemies under Trump's administration.

bookAmerica's Zombie Democracy

The title of George Packer's article that argues the US is currently living in an authoritarian state.

conceptMAGA

The political movement associated with Trump, discussed in the context of its response to criticisms and its potential push towards authoritarianism.

personAl Franken

His resignation from political life is cited as an example of a politician who apologized and was subsequently removed, contrasting with those who ignore criticism and retain power.

companyFSG

Publisher of George Packer's novel, noted for still producing beautiful, physical books.

bookThe Emergency

George Packer's latest novel, described as an unnerving Orwellian fable that is both extraordinarily good and alarming.

personPete Hegs

Mentioned in the context of the defense department, accused of firing senior military leaders based on political dislike.

personJames Comey

Former FBI Director against whom the Justice Department filed charges, which the speaker views as a politically motivated prosecution under Trump.

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