Listened to a podcast with a person who lived in the ussr when it fell and was comparing it to current day America. Basically they were saying that people are becoming more cynical and don't really believe in the project any more and are waiting for something to come along and fundamentally change things.

With gorbachev it was a turn to democratic liberal capitalism, with trump its a turn to autocratic neo-mercantalism.

Both could bring down the great empires of the twentieth century.

[–] Denjin@lemmings.world 11 points 2 weeks ago

The idea is called Hypernormalisation. Everyone knows what they're being told is a lie, most don't care, some do but a powerless to do anything about it, the rest are actively perpetuating the lie.

Excellent documentary about it by Adam Curtis which is watchable here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr7T07WfIhM

[–] Isaac@waterloolemmy.ca 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

trump its a turn to autocratic neo-mercantalism.

Yea there's that, also the rounding up minorities for a nationalistic reason... if only the English language offered some word for that. Squashing undesirables/enemies due to nationalism with rhetoric like them poisoning the blood, being vermin, etc. I seem to recall a history lesson or two if only I could remember. I feel it's some odd word no one knows how to use anymore, I think it rhymes with plascism.

[–] sharkfucker420@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

With gorbachev it was a turn to ~~democratic~~ liberal capitalism, with trump its a turn to ~~autocratic neo-mercantalism~~ fascism.

Nothing about Russia after the USSR is democratic, not even the dissolution. As for the US, yeah its just fascism, fits the mold quite well.

[–] Grapho@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago

not even the dissolution

Especially not the dissolution. They had a referendum to attempt to legitimize the dissolution, which failed in a landslide, and then they ignored it and did it anyway.