Obviously an op-ed, but still interesting.

Albaby poo-poo'd the idea that we came too close to losing our democracy. I still think we did. It wasn't the institutions that held up (or, rather, not only the institutions), but it was key individuals that valued democracy over partisanship. Like Pence and McConnell. I may not like either of them, but we at least agree that democracy and the peaceful transfer of power is more important than any political party.

But what if key individuals decide differently the next time they are faced with this kind of choice? What if they have come to believe that the country is in such dire straits ' has reached a state of apocalyptic decadence ' that democracy is a luxury we can no longer afford?

...

Some will undoubtedly suggest we shouldn't be unduly alarmed about such trends. These are just a handful of obscure writers talking to one another, very far removed from the concerns of Republican officeholders and rank-and-file voters.

But such complacency follows from a misunderstanding of the role of intellectuals in radical political movements.

As long as individuals in power, and the institutions we have, respect democracy over partisanship, we'll muddle through. Likely with a lot of rancor, but we'll manage. Right now, however, a growing number on the right appear NOT to be doing that. Like our current speaker. That is dangerous. I said three years ago, and I'm saying it now. You don't have to have a majority to seize power. Hitler didn't (not even close). But he had enough, and some key players that enabled it. Once he had the power, he eliminated all means of removing him.