Are Western Democracies on the Brink of a Regime Change?

There are clear signs that a large part of the democratic West may be on the brink of a de facto regime change. While political change is inherently unpredictable, nevertheless the anti-liberal and authoritarian tendencies are clearly recognizable. Unless we see a major course correction, we appear to be heading in the direction of a new type of regime, characterised by a much more intrusive style of governance, a more far-reaching surveillance and police state, and a more half-hearted, utilitarian attitude to civil rights.

The signs of change are abundantly clear to anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear:

1. The Turn to Surveillance and Control Over Private Choices

First, a turn toward ever more intrusive forms of surveillance and control over our private choices – how we behave at home, what we wear on our faces, where we eat and drink, what substances we put into our body. This naturally requires a more aggressive and expansive police State. We have already seen the growth of unc…