In public policy discussions, using economic crises as an excuse to suggest that authoritarianism may be seen as a reasonable way to govern usually involves the following strategies and arguments. These methods have been used by certain leaders or regimes in history to consolidate power and implement centralized policies: 1. **Argument for emergency**: - **Describing the severity of the crisis**: Emphasizing the huge threat that economic crises pose to national security, social stability, and the well-being of the people, claiming that only through the concentration of power can they be effectively dealt with. - **Emphasizing the urgency of time**: Arguing that during a crisis, there is no time for traditional democratic procedures and extensive consultations, and that quick action must be taken. 2. **Advocacy for efficiency and decisiveness**: - **Centralized decision-making**: Arguing that authoritarian systems can formulate and implement policies faster and more effectively, avoiding possible delays and disagreements in democratic systems. - **Reducing bureaucracy**: Arguing that by reducing procedures and limiting opposition voices, resources can be mobilized and reforms can be implemented more effectively. 3. **National interest first**: - **Unified will**: Claiming that authoritarianism can gather the strength of the whole society and form a unified national will to deal with external and internal threats. - **Sacrifice individual freedom**: Prioritize national interests and believe that certain restrictions on individual freedom are necessary during times of crisis. 4. **Citation of historical precedent**: - **Emphasis on successful cases**: Citation of some countries in history that adopted strong governance during economic crises and eventually recovered as the rationale for authoritarianism. - **Avoid historical mistakes**: Claim that if strong measures are not taken, the mistakes of some countries that lost control during crises may be repeated. 5. **Propaganda and control of public opinion**: - **Information control**: By controlling the media and information flow, shaping the public's perception of the necessity of authoritarianism and reducing opposition voices. - **Inciting nationalist sentiment**: Using nationalist sentiment, attributing the economic crisis to external or internal "hostile forces" to strengthen the need for unified leadership. 6. **Legalization of technical measures**: - **Adjustment of the legal framework**: Amending laws or the constitution to give the ruling party greater power to deal with the challenges brought about by the economic crisis. - **Continuation of temporary power**: Claiming that after the crisis, certain measures to concentrate power must still be retained to ensure the long-term stability of the country. **Ethics and risks to be aware of**: Although the above arguments may be used to justify authoritarianism in certain circumstances, this style of governance is often accompanied by serious abuses of power, human rights violations, and the risk of democratic regression. Historically, many authoritarian regimes that have used economic crises as an excuse have ultimately led to social injustice, suppression of dissent, and long-term negative impacts. Therefore, in public policy discussions, it is necessary to carefully weigh the relationship between efficiency and freedom, short-term interests and long-term stability, and avoid simply attributing economic difficulties to changes in governance.