In my recent opinion piece, SO, WHAT’S YOUR “PLAN B” IF THE TABLES ARE TURNED ON DEMOCRACY?, I urged readers to consider the lessons of history ~ particularly, the rise of Nazism in Germany ~ and contemplate what measures they might take before or in the event of an authoritarian takeover of democracy.
Many responses to my article were positive, but several readers raised legitimate concerns that, in the final analysis, the recommendations that I referenced ~ like protecting a free press, defending voting rights, promoting civic engagement, and ensuring governmental transparency ~ while important, amounted to the same old stuff.
They asked for a “PLAN B” that is more aggressive and more empowering for those deeply concerned about the future of our freedoms!
Fair request!
So, I’ve dug deeper into my own sense of history (poli sci major!) and politics...and, I’ve examined the range of current resistance strategies.
On the one hand, there are ample examples throughout modern history, here and abroad, of acts of individual courage (often at great personal risk and sometimes fatal) in resistance to authoritarianism and oppressive regimes: Mahatma Gandhi (India), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Germany), Vaclav Havel (Czechoslovakia), Lech Walesa (Poland), Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar), Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan), Wei Jingsheng (China), Andrei Sakharov and Alexei Navalny (Russia). In the United States, we’ve had our share of noble heroes who demonstrated remarkable courage in the face of systemic injustice: Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, Daniel Ellsberg, Harvey Milk, Fred Korematsu, and Malcolm X.
It takes a lot of guts to speak truth to power in the way that these individuals did…and, it may seem a lot to ask of everyday Americans to do the same…on their own. But, as the late John Lewis reminded us, we don’t need to act alone:
“Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
Here’s the thing for those who find the challenge daunting: Remember that resistance is often most effective when it’s a collective effort.
Acting as a community of good troublemakers can amplify our impact.
So, whether you’re flying solo or a member of an established network, expand your reach, and realize shared strength in strategies and initiatives that create or build on the following types of actions:
rapid response networks of legal experts, tech professionals, and activists who can swiftly respond to anti-democratic actions and provide real-time legal challenges, fact-checking, and counter-narratives to disinformation campaigns
digital defense initiatives that can detect and counteract manipulative and disruptive tactics such as deepfakes, bot activity, and online propaganda
maintaining independent news outlets to ensure that diverse and truthful voices remain heard
strategic civil disobedience that challenges authoritarian measures directly
training (e.g., workshops, online courses) that empowers communities in nonviolent resistance, digital security (safeguarding assets, data, and systems from unauthorized access), and legal rights
creating safe havens and support networks for whistleblowers, journalists, and activists.
The bottom line
I understand that, in these times of uncertainty, even these more “aggressive” strategies may feel daunting. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by these challenges. But, I’m an avowed fan of history: It teaches us that the survival of democracy has always depended on the courage and commitment of ordinary people who choose to act…and to act together. By coming together as communities of resistance, even in the most threatening of times, we can create a powerful force for change.
So, it’s not really about finding a single, perfect “Plan B,” but it’s about building a resilient and adaptable strategy that can respond to the threats as they arise. The risks are real, but so are the rewards of standing up for what’s right.
Thank you for sharing, Herb! Yes, communities of resistance bring the force of a collective punch. And traction. Driving uphill on a snowy day we were always able get home safely with the weight on the rear axle. Keeping in mind the way to go is not always clear, but the way to NOT go may be, and that contrast shows us the choice. You rock.