Author Wolf shows that there are ten classic steps would-be dictators always take when they wish to close down an open society, and shows how each of those ten steps is underway in the United States today. Our Constitution was built to protect civil liberties and develop a careful system of checks and balances which protect our freedom from tyranny. Wolf argues that the escalation of executive power has eroded these core values and systems, limiting the ability of our Congress to make laws, and of our courts to interpret them--a scenario that our Founding Fathers foresaw and warned against.--From publisher description.
Contents
Introduction: Ten steps -- The founders and the fragility of democracy -- Invoke an external and internal threat -- Establish secret prisons -- Develop a paramilitary force -- Surveil ordinary citizens -- Infiltrate citizens' groups -- Arbitrarily detain and release citizens -- Target key individuals -- Restrict the press -- Cast criticism as "espionage" and dissent as "treason" -- Subvert the rule of law -- Conclusion: The patriot's task.
