I have always been fascinated by history. As a child Egypt captured my imagination with Rome following soon there after. I wondered, as many are doing today with recent discoveries, how their civilizations appeared to rise from nowhere. I realized, as I matured, there were antecedents, cultural organizations designed by their peoples if you will, from past experiences, that formed from a small group to follow a leader that expanded their beliefs and grew in power over time. For Egypt it was when the upper and lower Nile civilizations merged. However, no single man or woman did this, they needed "followers" that believed in their vision to achieve a goal.
A similar event happened in China when the Emperor Qin united the seven kingdoms of China around 210 B.C. into it's first dynasty. He is immortalized with the discovery of the Terra Cotta Soldiers near X'ian, China in 1974, an accidental discovery by a farmer plowing a field. What was a mythical legend became reality in an instant.
My recent epiphany was the realization that no movement anywhere can happen without followers. There would be no Christians, Muslims, political parties, MAGA, sports, Nazi's if these movements didn't have followers. With that in mind, how many movements of one kind or another haven't ripened and matured? And what happens when these same movements falter? I think the case of Elon Musk and Tesla is a case in point. People will follow you or believe in a movement... until they don't.
What draws followers to leaders - political, religious, or social, isn't always logical or policy or even self interest. It's power, presence and the promise of meaning. People will follow those who give them something they want or need, even if they can't artculate it. Often, even when presented with the facts they will reject them especially if it doesn't match their own beliefs or "their" leaders beliefs.
They will follow a leader in times of chaos (in their minds) who offers clear, simple answers. That these answers are often simplified and even wrong, the delivery will sway followers. Hitler, building on an belief the Jews were taking over the world was able to clearly project a simple solution. While he never clearly articulated what that solution was, he convinced probably the most advanced nation on earth the glory days would return to Germany if only he could get rid of the Jews and Communists.
People crave community and belonging. Leaders often form movements that make followers feel part of something bigger. An excellent example would be the Chinese Communist parties constant monitoring of its people that quells anything that threatens "social stability." Many religious entities do the same thing and are unprepared when a threat to it's power occurs. The pedophile scandal has rocked the Catholic church worldwide. They are not alone. Similar events happened in the Baptist Church and Boy Scouts.
When things go wrong, the Great Depression of 1929, the Pearl Harbor attack, 9/11, the people want a strong leader that "leads" them to a solution. They will follow a leader who is strong, confident, who claims to offer truth or salvation. And in following their leader, they often feel they are doing something righteous or patriotic. I wonder.
I just helped a Chinese citizen apply for and become an American citizen. He got a book to study possible citizenship questions, has worked here for 13 years so could read, write and speak English. These are all tested during your interview. While I knew many of the 100 questions answers, I admit I missed a few. I have since asked friends these same questions and most couldn't answer one. This gives me pause. They all can vote. Are they taking the time to read, consider and explore the issues? Or do they just vote the party line? Are they just followers? Is watching endless football games worth more than protecting, no defending, your government? Ancient Rome had the circus. We all know what happened to Rome despite all its achievements. Can it happen here?
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