In "It Can't Happen Here," Sinclair Lewis explores the notion that widespread dissatisfaction can inadvertently bolster centralized authorities. He describes how people's general discontent can be a source of energy for supporting a totalitarian regime, even when they may not agree with its individual policies or actions. This paradox demonstrates the potential for authoritarianism to thrive amid public frustration.
The author highlights a psychological dynamic where individuals, feeling unfulfilled or marginalized,...