How to Fix It with John Avlon S2 Ep44: Are We Really Headed for a Second Civil War?
Oct 5, 2025
Barbara F. Walter, a political scientist and author of How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them, joins to discuss America’s tumultuous political climate. She highlights the alarming signs of democratic decline and how leaders can manufacture crises to seize power. Walter suggests crucial reforms, like regulating social media algorithms and empowering citizen action through peaceful resistance. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she also identifies sources of hope in American civic resilience and the importance of local reforms.
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Why Charlie Kirk's Killing Felt Different
- Charlie Kirk's murder shocked many and prompted questions about a civil war, but the national reaction mattered more than the killing itself.
- Unlike past shootings, partisan leaders quickly used the event as a battle cry rather than a unifying moment.
Manufactured Emergencies As A Power Tool
- Authoritarian-leaning leaders often craft or amplify emergencies to justify sweeping powers like martial law.
- Those manufactured crises let them bypass democratic institutions and seize control through force or fear.
Why Now May Not Be A Reichstag Moment
- Charlie Kirk's murder did not create broad personal threat perception, making it unlikely to produce a Reichstag-style emergency now.
- Effective emergency pretexts usually occur closer to elections when leaders face urgent time pressure.
