Sinclair Lewis
A political novel written in 1935, “It can’t happen here” is quite amazingly (almost) prescient about how an authoritarian regime could happen in the USA. Based on a populist platform that promises prosperity and a return to traditional values, Buzz Windrip first beats his (fellow) Democrat Roosevelt and then his Republican opponent.
But though it all begins with a perfectly democratic victory, the Chief, as he is known, soon begins a “corporatist” regime with its own paramilitary force called Minute Men, and systematically starts dismantling individuals and structures that oppose him. Funnily enough, most of the public continues to support the “Corpos” despite their dictatorial moves, and when those who don’t bring up the spectre of Fascism, they’re told “It can’t happen here”.
Our view of all this is largely through Doremus Jessup, editor of the Fort Beulah Daily Informer, and a liberal who dislikes communism as he does Fascism. He criticises the government even as things begin to change drastically around him. It all seems like a joke until his own family is affected and his life begins a journey downhill. The book from then on focuses on his struggles against the government. Jessup’s mental conflicts around his selfish interest of keeping his family safe, and his own sense of moral obligation to call out the evil regime is very realistic.
The overall narrative manages to blend satire and pragmatism and evokes a sense of fear of how possible the scenario is. While I found it difficult to get some references to real personalities and events, the book itself is as much an excellent piece of satire as it is a sharp and disturbingly real warning to the threat of authoritarian regimes. Definitely a good read!
P.S. The name Windrip is apparently a little Easter egg – win drip – which is how it happened.
