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In a deeply divided democracy, an aspiring authoritarian seizes new powers, often by declaring “emergencies” when none exist. This is only possible after he cobbles together a strong alliance of far-right forces in the military, conservative religious nationalists, a few massively wealthy oligarchs, and some centrists spooked by the specter of “socialism.” Freedoms are curtailed, institutions are undermined, and critics become “enemies of the people.” Before long, troops are in city streets—and not too long after that, democracy is gone, and an authoritarian reigns in its place.

This openly occurred in Spain in the 1930s with the rise of Gen. Francisco Franco. It’

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