The Authoritarian Cycle
Why Principles Evaporate When Power Appears
Many political actors claim to champion liberal principles—free speech, individual autonomy, tolerance—yet abandon them upon gaining power. Why does this cycle occur so predictably?
Political groups often invoke principles instrumentally. When out of power, universal liberal values such as free speech are advantageous tools, useful for building alliances and winning public sympathy. But once they gain authority, those same values become obstacles, restricting their ability to enact preferred policies or silence opposition.
When a group is out of power, advocating for universally appealing liberal principles helps form broad coalitions against incumbents. Upon achieving dominance, priorities shift from coalition-building to coalition-maintenance, leading groups to restrict previously championed liberties in favor of advancing their narrower interests.
Both the political left and right demonstrate this cycle. Left-wing groups, historically champions of free expression, frequently embrace censorship when holding institutional power, rationalizing it as necessary to combat harmful or dangerous ideas. Conversely, right-wing groups, long professing fidelity to limited government, often adopt authoritarian measures against opponents when dominant, claiming it as necessary for social stability or national security.
True principled behavior—consistently upholding values regardless of short-term political advantages—is inherently costly. It demands sacrificing expediency, enduring discomfort, and tolerating dissent. Thus, genuine principled actors are rare, yet indispensable.
Without principled centrists or liberals, political landscapes devolve into competing authoritarianisms, each justifying abuses by citing their opponents’ excesses. Principled actors provide stability, reduce transactional friction, and uphold crucial norms of accountability and transparency.
Ultimately, breaking this authoritarian cycle requires valuing principles as terminal goals, not merely instrumental tactics. Only then can a stable liberal order persist beyond cycles of power.