No that’s not a spelling error, it’s just another way of writing a word in the essence of how i see it. As Zimbabwe’s opposition leader seeks refuge at a foreign embassy, Phil Hall at The Guardian has written a very interesting article that is alarming. His contention is that what we are seeing in the UK is what others have experienced when their own countries slid into totalitarian or authoritarian rule.

Only the utterly foolish think it can’t happen to us. Just because we haven’t seen it in our lifetime is no reason to be naive. No dictator ever knocked on the door nicely overnight - this kind of thing is a slow slippery slope that’s very comfy and comes in the guise of “security”. As Phil writes, “Perhaps those of us who have lived for a time under dictatorships can spot some of the warning signs:”

• Inconvenient elections are avoided in the name of getting on with the job.
• Leaders of the opposition are character-assassinated by the state media.
• Institutions like the legislature begin to lose their independence and traditional role.
• Citizens are increasingly afraid to speak openly on certain issues.
• Citizens are observed and monitored on cameras and the government can tap into their conversations at will.
• Governments can snatch anyone from their homes or off the street and detain them without trial on charges of treason or terrorism.
• Ethnic and religious minorities are persecuted and are made into scapegoats.
• The state increasingly intervenes in family and community life in an attempt to control citizens’ behaviour.
• The focus of discussion moves away from the issues and into a narrative of political rivalries and gossip spreads.
• Governments use bread and circuses to shut people up and distract attention away from their increasing political impotence.
• Public spaces for demonstrations are closed down and restricted.
• Large and ridiculous monuments are built to impress the citizens.
• Individuals have to carry ID with them at all times and the government holds large amounts of information on every citizen.

More: Is Britain On the slippery slope to dictatorship?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/22/civilliberties