AI Says...
We are living in an era marked by a regression of democratic principles and the emergence of a new class of leaders who have either already destroyed the checks and balances that limited their grip on power or are actively working to dismantle them. From Vladimir Putin to Xi Jinping, and figures like Donald Trump or even Elon Musk, the concentration of power in the hands of individuals who consider themselves above institutions threatens the future of nations, individuals, and even life itself. This phenomenon generates a deep sense of despair, as if the structures meant to protect societies had collapsed under the weight of the ravenous ambition of a few.
Montesquieu and the Collapse of Checks and Balances
In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu put forth the fundamental idea of the separation of powers as a guarantee of political freedom. Yet today, we are witnessing the reversal of this foundational principle of modern democracies, leaving citizens powerless in the face of increasingly impervious systems of control.
Putin has succeeded in crushing all opposition in Russia, consolidating his rule through tailor-made constitutional reforms and ruthless repression of dissent. Xi Jinping has broken with the tradition of term limits, granting himself lifelong power, making China more authoritarian than ever. In the United States, Trump weakened democratic institutions by attacking judicial and media independence, while figures like Elon Musk amass influence greater than that of some states.
These dynamics illustrate a trend where checks and balances are either annihilated or bypassed by actors who place themselves above the rules. This dissolution of balancing mechanisms leaves a democratic void, fueling a climate of resignation where citizens struggle to envision pathways to reclaim their power.
Can We Hope for Salvation Through Biology?
In the 1990s, journalist El Kadi Ihsane theorized that only biology could defeat tyranny. In Algeria, he argued that the entrenched power of the generals, too deeply rooted to be challenged, could only be undone by their aging, illness, and death.
But today, this hope seems futile. On the one hand, medical advances have extended the lifespan of these autocrats, allowing them to cling to power longer than ever. On the other hand, their grip is so strong that they meticulously plan their succession, often through networks of loyalists or political dynasties — North Korea being an extreme example.
Even more alarming, these figures do not hesitate to wield their destructive power long before biology catches up with them. Putin launched a war in Ukraine that reshaped global geopolitical balances. Musk, with his control over strategic companies like SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), influences global discourse and shapes public perception of reality. The speed at which these individuals can reshape the world order crushes any hope that time might naturally erode their influence, fostering a collective sense of helplessness, where concepts like justice and accountability feel out of reach.
Where to Find Hope?
In the face of this dark tide, hope cannot rest on passively waiting for the biological decline of tyrants. It lies instead in societies' ability to reinvent themselves, to resist, and to innovate — despite the overwhelming sense that the game is rigged.
Civic Resistance: Even in authoritarian regimes, protest movements persist. In Iran, Russia, and China, citizens risk their lives to challenge power. Every act of defiance, even when silenced, creates a crack in the edifice of despotism.
The Rise of New Political Actors: Figures like Volodymyr Zelensky demonstrate that it is possible to oppose autocrats' destructive ambitions with resilience. Yet, these figures remain vulnerable, and their success depends on people's ability to support alternatives — even when all seems lost.
Technology and Information: While figures like Musk can shape public opinion, alternative networks and grassroots initiatives strive to counter these narratives and re-inform populations. However, these resistance bubbles remain fragile against the dominance of digital monopolies.
The Role of Nature Itself: Beyond human biology, climate crises, pandemics, and ecological shocks remain forces greater than any tyrannical will. No power can escape nature’s laws, and this intrinsic limit serves as a reminder that even the most ruthless regimes are not invincible.
Ultimately, while this era is marked by the brutal ascent of tyrannies, it is not devoid of levers of resistance. Biology alone will not save societies, but history shows that even the most oppressive regimes eventually collapse. The challenge lies in whether this cycle of destruction will drag us into irreversibility before that happens. This existential vertigo, this feeling of being suspended on the edge of the abyss, makes the search for hope more vital than ever.
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