The Authoritarian Moment

Freedom of speech is the bedrock of democracy—when it's silenced, democracy is at risk.

1. America's Freedom of Speech Is Under Siege

Freedom of speech, a cornerstone of democracy, is deeply imperiled in America today. A recent poll by the Cato Institute revealed that over 60% of Americans are hesitant to speak openly about their beliefs, fearing backlash. This chilling effect impacts people across the political spectrum, including 64% of moderates and 77% of conservatives, while only those who self-identify as "strong liberals" feel free to express themselves.

The suppression of dissent isn't confined to personal conversations. It is also rampant in institutions like social media platforms. Parler, a social media app launched to encourage free expression, was deplatformed after accusations of enabling Capitol protests on January 6, 2021. Even President Trump faced bans from major social platforms despite having explicitly called for peaceful protest. Simultaneously, figures from oppressive regimes, like Iran's supreme leader, still freely use these platforms.

These actions demonstrate a problematic double standard by Big Tech and threaten a foundational principle of democracy—open debate and dialogue. The inconsistency reveals a broader agenda to silence dissent by only allowing viewpoints that align with certain ideologies to prevail.

Examples

• Over 60% of Americans report self-censorship due to fear of backlash.
• The sudden removal of Parler from app stores by Google, Apple, and Amazon in January 2021.
• President Trump’s permanent ban from social media despite peaceful protest advocacy.

2. Higher Education Shaped by Woke Ideology

American universities, once forums for exploring diverse viewpoints, are transforming into echo chambers for "woke" ideology. Faculty surveys at Harvard and Yale demonstrate overwhelming liberal bias, with less than 2% at Harvard and 9% at Yale identifying as conservative. Conservative perspectives are virtually absent in classrooms.

This intellectual homogeneity means students are increasingly exposed to activism rather than critical thinking. Professors who challenge this orthodoxy often face backlash. For instance, at Evergreen State College, liberal professor Bret Weinstein faced outrage for proposing merit-based, rather than race-based, faculty positions. Similar instances of stifling dissent occurred when Erika Christakis at Yale encouraged tolerance regarding Halloween costumes—leading to her resignation.

Universities’ departure from intellectual plurality threatens the future of open debate. Instead of fostering independent thinkers, institutions seem more focused on cultivating activists fluent in "wokabulary" like microaggressions and trigger warnings.

Examples

• 83% of Harvard faculty and 75% of Yale faculty identify as liberal.
• Bret Weinstein’s forced resignation for opposing race-based faculty policies.
• Erika Christakis’s departure after controversy over Halloween costume comments.

3. Corporations Bow to Cancel Culture

American corporations have transitioned from maintaining apolitical stances to becoming platforms for woke agendas. Companies like Ben & Jerry’s now take strong positions on social justice, even when their core business has no connection to the issues at hand. Fear of public backlash or cancellation drives this shift.

At Cisco, employees were terminated for saying, “All Lives Matter,” revealing how corporate environments increasingly punish dissent. Even academics, like Tomáš Hudlický, faced severe consequences for criticizing diversity hiring initiatives in academic journals—a stark illustration of how cancel culture infiltrates not only businesses but other professional domains.

These examples illustrate how corporate and workplace policies are not just about protecting profits but about aligning with prevailing ideologies. The result: work environments that discourage open discussion, creating more division rather than fostering meaningful dialogue.

Examples

• Ben & Jerry's released the statement, “We must dismantle white supremacy.”
• Cisco’s firing of employees who expressed "All Lives Matter."
• A chemistry article criticizing diversity hiring led to its retraction and professional fallout.

4. Science Is Influenced by Political Narratives

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific discourse itself was influenced by political ideology. While strict quarantine rules closed businesses and prohibited gatherings, different standards were openly applied for Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests following George Floyd's death. Political goals seemed to override consistent scientific advice that discouraged mass gatherings at the time.

Over 1,000 public health experts signed letters supporting these protests, calling them "vital to public health." At the same time, other protests—like those advocating for lifting lockdowns—were dismissed as dangerous and irresponsible. This revealed how science was employed selectively to align with specific ideological narratives.

This inconsistency erodes trust in science, as it renders the field vulnerable to the influence of political agendas. Instead of objective observation and analysis, the narrative becomes one more battleground for advancing ideology.

Examples

• Scientists backed BLM mass protests amidst the pandemic.
• New York City’s mayor allowed BLM rallies but banned other gatherings.
• Public health letters claimed BLM marches were “essential to public health.”

5. Censorship in the Name of Safety

Under the guise of protecting society, censorship has increasingly claimed moral justification. Many institutions and tech platforms argue that restricting speech prevents harm, but this rationale often results in selective enforcement. Instead of fostering protection, it stifles dissent and diversity of voice.

This was clearly visible during controversies surrounding politically themed media or books. Many of these practices implicitly promote the narrative of moral superiority while sidelining or outright quashing opposing perspectives. The emphasis on "safe spaces" now extends to digital platforms, workplaces, and newsrooms.

Such censorship creates an environment where challenging ideas are avoided—a dangerous trend in a democratic nation valuing free expression and robust debate.

Examples

• “Safe spaces” frequently replace open forums for discussion on campuses.
• Selective platform bans, like demonetizing disagreeable YouTube channels.
• Calls to pull ‘controversial’ books from literature curricula.

6. The Risks of "Feelings Over Facts"

Today's political discourse often prioritizes subjective feelings over objective facts, threatening intellectual discussion. For example, there is a trend of equating hurt feelings with actual harm, leading to policies and punishments that prioritize comfort over truth.

Universities are a prime example of this struggle, where students may demand professors be removed for stating well-documented scientific facts. For instance, a claim like "men are taller than women on average" leads to backlash due to perceived offense, regardless of empirical evidence.

This normalization of prioritizing emotions over reality prevents society from addressing complex, nuanced issues. Open discussion, informed by factual evidence, is the balance necessary for progress.

Examples

• Students walking out of lectures due to presentations of biological realities.
• Professors fired for stating disagreements with popular opinions.
• Emotional arguments guiding policymaking without logical scrutiny.

7. America's Silent Majority Must Act

The principles laid out by the Founding Fathers remain relevant today. They believed freedom was worth fighting for. The silent majority of Americans, who remain quiet due to fear of backlash, can reclaim their voice by invoking those same ideals.

By engaging in reasoned debate and openly embracing diverse opinions, the silent majority can push back against authoritarian top-down control. Staying silent in the face of creeping censorship only enhances its grip on society.

Action begins with calmly but firmly refusing to accept oversimplified narratives and choosing to participate actively in political and social spheres.

Examples

• Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson modeled active dissent.
• Town halls promoting open community dialogue over woke ideology.
• Peaceful protests advocating free speech without violent rhetoric.

Takeaways

1. Stop supporting companies, media, or institutions that promote censorship or one-sided narratives by withholding your money and attention.
2. Find and support independent thinkers and platforms that encourage diverse opinions and open discussion.
3. Exercise your voice—publicly and personally—by calmly introducing alternative points of view when conversations reflect one narrative.