With a neo-fascist regime in the US a real possibility, it’s time for Irish political class to consider how “The Emerald Isle” might deal with such a scenario
Anybody keeping an eye on US society and politics now will see that it is a land on a knife edge.
You had the feeling, watching the riot/invasion at the US parliament buildings at The Capitol on January 6th 2021, that an unopened door or a half minute delay either way might have meant a very different outcome. Blood on the floor, shootings, and yes, hangings.
It felt like the dynamic of a revolution, and still does. That celebratory and terrifying swarm made me think of the mob that invaded the Tuileries Palace and nearly cornered Marie Antoinette, but for a backdoor escape, one of the earlier events of the French Revolution(1). Until her later demise.
And following things since, it is clear that this is a contested country, not just a contested election. The top down lying has spawned local activists spreading that message, with local discussion, rural and urban, right across the country (2) – it is clear that regime change is a real possibility in the USA. It looks like there is a conservative neo-fascist revolution underway in our beloved US of A.
Our forefathers travelled there away from hunger and tyranny, as to a land of opportunity, a land of laws. We called it the Land of Liberty. That this land could soon be a land of tyranny, is a clear possibility, with its laws the whim of a puppet fascist, or demagogue, or tyrant.
We in Ireland have led a charmed life in relation to this great world power. Related to it’s presidents. Feted in it’s halls and welcomed in its chambers.
At times, as during the Iraq war, we have turned away from moral action, and spoken out of both sides of our mouths. We didn’t want to alienate a Bush Government beating the drums of war.
But I doubt that such two-facedness will be an realistic option if Uncle Sam becomes Godfather Sam.
Like many other political blocks and countries, it’s time for the Irish political class to consider how it might survive or cope with such a regime. We are tied to its economy and beholden to it’s politics more than many others.
While doing everything in our power and influence, to support those who back science, reason, and the rule of law, we need to be looking at our options, strategising how we might deal with such a development, whether it’s about
Diversifying our economy
Putting away receipts from Corporation Tax into a rainy day fund
Committing to a stronger more united Europe, as an alternative to the USA-led Nato alliance.
There may even be a value in being public about some of this, as a signal to progressive and persuadable others over there how seriously all this looks from the outside.
(1) Listening to Mike Duncan’s series on the French Revolution, disabused you of the idea of it being one being one big event. It was a series of events that played out over a number of years.
(2) Election deniers have taken their fraud theories on tour — to nearly every state https://www.npr.org/2022/06/30/1107868327/trump-election-fraud-jan-6?sc=18&f=1001
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