Fascism

 In light of recent events, this came to mind. Bertrand Russell's comments on the beginnings of fascism.

"The first step in a fascist movement is the combination under an energetic leader of a number of men who possess more than the average share of leisure, brutality, and stupidity. The next step is to fascinate fools and muzzle the intelligent, by emotional excitement on the one hand and terrorism on the other".--Bertrand Russell

Interpretation and context

"Fascinate fools": This refers to manipulating a certain segment of the population with emotional appeals and propaganda. This "fascination" plays on their brutishness and ignorance, distracting them with spectacle and excitement.

"Muzzle the intelligent": At the same time, the movement suppresses or silences those who are intelligent and skeptical. This is achieved through fear and terrorism, preventing critical thought from challenging the emotional narratives used to rally the "fools".

This quote is an early analysis of the mechanics of fascism, with Russell observing how irrationality and force are used to seize and consolidate political power.