In H. Beam Piper’s Space Viking, a character astutely observes:
“Every society rests on a barbarian base. The people who don’t understand civilization and wouldn’t like it if they did. The hitchhikers. The people who create nothing, and who don’t appreciate what others have created for them, and who think civilization is something that just exists and that all they need to do is enjoy what they can understand of it—luxuries, a high living standard, and easy work for high pay. Responsibilities? Phooey! What do they have a government for?” – Captain Harkaman, Space Viking
Sound familiar? That’s because this is precisely the mindset that defines the MAGA movement. They wrap themselves in the flag while setting fire to the institutions that built the country they claim to love. They chant about greatness but reject the responsibilities that true greatness demands. And, like history’s most infamous demagogues, they follow a leader who weaponizes their grievances, fueling their belief that all their problems stem from an “enemy” rather than their own failures.
This isn’t the first time civilization has had to deal with this. The rise of the MAGA movement is eerily reminiscent of the conditions that led to the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1930s Germany.
The MAGA Phenomenon: A Modern Barbarian Horde
The MAGA movement, an acronym for “Make America Great Again,” has morphed into a political force that challenges established norms and institutions. britannica.com
MAGA adherents, like the Germans who voted Hitler into power, often exhibit a profound disconnect from the principles of democracy and governance. They aren’t interested in policy debates or economic realities. They want a leader who will validate their fears, punish their perceived enemies, and promise them an effortless return to a mythical “golden age.”
In 1933, Hitler didn’t seize power through a military coup—he was elected. His base was composed of disillusioned, resentful people who felt humiliated by Germany’s loss in World War I, frustrated by economic instability, and eager to blame scapegoats—be they Jews, communists, or intellectuals. His message was simple: Germany didn’t fail; it was betrayed. And only he could make Germany great again. History rhyming?
The MAGA movement thrives on the same fuel: grievance, nostalgia, and the belief that an entire class of people—immigrants, minorities, “elites”—are the reason for their suffering. It’s why Trump’s rallies are more like religious revivals than political events. They aren’t about policy; they are about affirming tribal identity and punishing the opposition.
Like Hitler’s supporters, MAGA diehards don’t care about democracy unless it serves their leader. That’s why they cheered when Trump tried to overturn an election, why they stormed the Capitol on January 6, and why they keep insisting he is the “real” president even after multiple court rulings and recounts. They are not defending democracy; they are laying the groundwork for its destruction.
A Disdain for Civic Responsibility
Piper’s barbarians are described as those who “create nothing, and who don’t appreciate what others have created for them.” gutenberg.org
Similarly, the MAGA base thrives on the benefits of a functioning government—roads, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, public schools—while simultaneously demanding that the government be “dismantled” in the name of “freedom.”
In 1930s Germany, the Nazi base similarly rejected the responsibilities of citizenship. The Treaty of Versailles was blamed for Germany’s woes, but instead of working toward real solutions, Hitler’s supporters turned to scapegoating, propaganda, and street violence. Instead of rebuilding, they demanded retribution. They believed their “strongman” would return their country to greatness—just as MAGA supporters insist Trump is the only one who can “save America.”
Both movements despise intellectuals and embrace conspiracy theories. Whether it’s MAGA’s obsession with QAnon, their belief that Democrats drink the blood of children, or Hitler’s propaganda blaming Jews for Germany’s problems, the patterns are identical. An uninformed, angry, desperate base is fed a steady diet of lies and fear, and before long, they are willing to destroy democracy to save their illusion of it.
The “brown shirts” who eventually became the feared and lawless German SS, started much the same as the Proud Boys and the other “homegrown militias” who participated in the January 6th attempted coup. So, ask yourself, why did Trump free these American “brown shirts”? What plans might he have for them?
The Allure of Demagoguery
The quote continues, describing individuals who believe “civilization is something that just exists and that all they need to do is enjoy what they can understand of it.” gutenberg.org
This mindset renders the MAGA crowd susceptible to demagoguery. Leaders like Trump exploit this by presenting oversimplified solutions to complex problems, often scapegoating marginalized groups and stoking xenophobic sentiments. The recent CPAC event, where Elon Musk was celebrated for his role in dismantling federal agencies, exemplifies this trend. theguardian.com
The crowd’s jubilation at such actions underscores a preference for destructive spectacle over constructive discourse.
The Erosion of Democratic Norms
Perhaps most concerning is the MAGA faction’s erosion of democratic norms. Piper’s barbarians shirk “responsibilities,” questioning, “What do they have a government for?” gutenberg.org
This abdication of civic duty is precisely what led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic in Germany.
In the early 1930s, German conservatives thought they could control Hitler. They believed they could use him to energize the right-wing base while maintaining order. But once Hitler had the backing of the masses, he bulldozed over his allies, seized absolute power, and eliminated democracy entirely. Sound familiar? Since Trump can’t murder immigrants like Hitler did, he’s sending them off to a gulag and letting El Salvador’s dictator “eliminate the problem.”
Are today’s Republicans and Billionaires making the same mistake with Trump?
They might think they can rein him in, but history suggests otherwise. Once a leader successfully convinces a significant portion of the population that he alone is the state, democracy is already dead. The Nazi Party had one-third of the vote when Hitler took office. That was all it took. Today, the hard-core MAGA movement represents about 10% of American voters. But Trump got in with HALF THE VOTES! If that doesn’t make your hair stand on end, it should.
Conclusion: A Call to Defend Civilization
Civilization doesn’t just “exist.” It must be actively maintained, defended, and fought for. When the barbarian base begins to dictate national policy, the collapse isn’t far behind. MAGA is more than a political movement—it is an authoritarian cult, one that has already tried to overthrow democracy once and will not hesitate to do so again.
The question is, will we fight back before history repeats itself, or will we become the next civilization to crumble under the weight of its own barbarian base?
Final Thought:
History doesn’t repeat itself exactly—but it rhymes. And right now, the echoes of the past are deafening.
Comments?
What do you think of Piper’s quote? How do you see the MAGAs? Are they Patriots or Hitchhikers? Comment below…
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