Choose Your Own xAucracy
Historians and nerds like Timothy Snyder, Hannah Arendt, W.E.B. Du Bois, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Howard Zinn, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer have collectively mapped out humanity's predictable responses to political movements. There’s a surprisingly small set of behavioral categories that repeat across cultures and eras. Think of it as typecasting in democracy's dark mirror, where everyone gets a role, whether they auditioned or not.
Take a moment to reflect on your role in this grand performance. Perhaps by understanding these categories, you'll be inspired to adopt a more active, thoughtful stance—and maybe even help others do the same.
This is not a call to shame but a call to self-awareness. By recognizing which patterns we exhibit—and how they might shift across contexts or time—we can strive to be more critical, engaged, and compassionate citizens. The categories below aren't rigid boxes but rather common patterns of behavior that often overlap and evolve. After all, the simulation is only as robust as the citizens who question, challenge, and ultimately rewrite its script.
Flow Chart at the end of the article... If you are still confused...
Flow Chart at the end of the article... If you are still confused...
1. The Useful Idiots and the Dangerous Stupid (per Bonhoeffer and Cipolla)
Definition: Act harmfully without realizing it, either due to ignorance, lack of awareness, or emotional manipulation. May support authoritarianism because they are swayed by propaganda, appeals to emotion, or simplistic narratives.
Danger Level: High. Bonhoeffer notes they are more dangerous than the Malicious because their actions are unpredictable, and they don't recognize their complicity.
Characteristics:
-Unquestioning acceptance of authority
-Resistance to critical thinking
-Susceptibility to groupthink and propaganda
Engagement Strategy:
-Use questions to encourage reflection rather than trying to convince directly
-Avoid direct confrontation; focus on education through storytelling or indirect means
-Limit what you share with them if they pose a risk to your safety or that of others
Examples:
🏛️ Salem witch trial participants, eagerly accusing neighbors without evidence
🎬 The civilians in Don't Look Up who deny clear evidence of impending disaster
🎬 The Ministry workers in Harry Potter who unquestioningly enforce anti-muggle policies
🎬 The androids in Westworld Season 1 who can't question their reality
🎬 The Borg drones in Star Trek who serve without individual thought
🕹️ The citizens in Bioshock who follow Andrew Ryan's propaganda
📚 The proles in 1984 who accept everything the Party says
📚 The children in Lord of the Flies who follow mob mentality
2. The Malicious
Definition: These individuals deliberately perpetuate harm or authoritarian agendas for personal gain, ideological conviction, or a thirst for power.
Danger Level: Extremely high. They are intentional actors who manipulate others, spread disinformation, and consolidate power.
Characteristics:
- Awareness of their actions and their consequences
- Cynical exploitation of others
- Ruthlessness in pursuit of goals
Engagement Strategy:
- Avoid direct confrontation; expose their tactics where possible, but with caution
- Strengthen networks of resistance and build solidarity with others who oppose them
Examples:
🏛️ Machiavelli's archetypal prince who knowingly manipulates for power
🎬 Emperor Palpatine in *Star Wars*, orchestrating galactic authoritarianism
🎬 Nurse Ratched in *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*, using institutional power for control
🎬 The Architect in *The Matrix*, designing systems of control
🎬 Principal Trunchbull in *Matilda*, reveling in authoritarian control
🕹️ SHODAN in *System Shock*, deliberately manipulating for power
📚 Big Brother's inner party members in *1984*
📚 President Coriolanus Snow, systematically oppressing districts
3. The Opportunists
Definition: These individuals align themselves with authoritarian regimes for personal gain, such as financial rewards, status, or power.
Danger Level: High. They actively bolster the regime while maintaining plausible deniability or self-justification.
Characteristics:
- Opportunistic rather than ideological
- Often adept at navigating power structures
- Capable of betrayal if the tide turns
Engagement Strategy:
- Avoid trusting them; they are unlikely to switch sides unless the regime begins to collapse
- Expose their opportunism to weaken their influence
Examples:
🏛️ Talleyrand, switching allegiance between French regimes for personal gain
🎬 Cypher in The Matrix, betraying humanity for comfort
🎬 Gollum in Lord of the Rings, serving whoever might give him the ring
🎬 Carter Burke in Aliens, sacrificing crew for corporate profit
🎬 The Mayor in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, allying with demons for political gain
🕹️ Albert Wesker in Resident Evil, betraying teams for power
📚 Saruman in Lord of the Rings, joining Sauron for power
📚 The Baker in Into the Woods, abandoning principles for personal benefit
4. The Passively Complacent
Definition: These individuals are indifferent or apathetic toward the rise of authoritarianism. They "go along to get along" because they prioritize their own comfort, safety, or routine over resistance.
Danger Level: Moderate to High. Their inaction enables authoritarian regimes to function with minimal opposition.
Characteristics:
- Fear of reprisal or social ostracism
- Preference for stability over justice
- Lack of emotional or intellectual engagement with the issue
Engagement Strategy:
- Appeal to shared values and demonstrate how authoritarianism threatens their own interests
- Offer them low-risk ways to contribute to resistance
- Show how their apathy enables harm, using historical examples
Examples:
🏛️ German middle class who maintained "normal life" during Nazi rise
🎬 The citizens in They Live who refuse to put on the glasses
🎬 The humans in The Matrix who prefer ignorance of their condition
🎬 The townspeople in Hot Fuzz ignoring obvious conspiracy
🎬 The neighbors in Edward Scissorhands until crisis hits
🕹️ Gotham's wealthy during Batman storylines
📚 The adults in Coraline ignoring supernatural danger
📚 The civilians in Fahrenheit 451 content with book burning
5. The Fearfully Coerced
Definition: These individuals act in ways that support authoritarianism because they fear punishment, persecution, or harm to themselves or their loved ones.
Danger Level: Context-dependent. They may not be true believers but can still do significant harm out of self-preservation.
Characteristics:
- Fear-driven compliance with authoritarian mandates
- Reluctance to express dissent openly
- Potentially sympathetic but unwilling to act
Engagement Strategy:
- Build trust and provide reassurance of safety when discussing resistance
- Show them examples of successful nonviolent resistance
- Highlight how collective action reduces individual risk
Examples:
🏛️ Citizens under Stalin forced to denounce neighbors
🎬 The humans in The Terminator hiding from machines
🎬 District 12 citizens in early Hunger Games
🎬 The villagers in Seven Samurai paying tribute to bandits
🕹️ Citizens in Half-Life 2 under Combine rule
📚 The Parsons family in 1984
🎬 The humans in The Matrix before being unplugged
📚 The people of Lake-town in The Hobbit under dragon's shadow
6. The Quiet Resisters
Definition: These individuals oppose authoritarianism and act against it, often in small or covert ways. They may avoid direct confrontation for safety reasons.
Danger Level: Low to the regime, high to themselves if exposed.
Characteristics:
- Strategic and cautious
- Focused on survival while resisting
- Often willing to collaborate with like-minded individuals
Engagement Strategy:
- Build networks and solidarity with them
- Share resources, tools, and information for resistance
- Ensure mutual safety and confidentiality
Examples:
🏛️ The Danish Resistance helping Jews escape
🏛️ Members of the White Rose resistance group in Nazi Germany who distributed anti-regime pamphlets covertly.
🎬 The Underground Railroad in The Underground Railroad
🎬 The rebel spies in Rogue One before open rebellion
🎬 Jim in 1984 quietly breaking small rules
🎬 The resistance in The Handmaid's Tale helping escapees
🕹️ Oracle/Barbara Gordon in Batman, working behind scenes
📚 The Brotherhood in Fahrenheit 451
📚 The Secret Annex helpers in The Diary of Anne Frank
7. The Courageous Activists
Definition: These are outspoken opponents of authoritarianism who are willing to take significant risks to resist and mobilize others.
Danger Level: High to the regime, high to themselves.
Characteristics:
- Strong moral convictions
- Willingness to face personal consequences
- Leadership potential in resistance movements
Engagement Strategy:
- Support and amplify their efforts
- Protect them from burnout and isolation
- Provide resources and connections to strengthen their impact
Examples:
🏛️ Sophie Scholl and the White Rose movement
🏛️ Martin Luther King Jr. led nonviolent resistance against racial injustice.
🏛️ Malala Yousafzai - risked her life to advocate for girls’ education under the Taliban.
🎬 Sarah Connor actively fighting Skynet in *Terminator 2*
🎬 Morpheus waking people from *The Matrix*
🎬 The main crew in *V for Vendetta* during revolution
🎬 John Connor leading human resistance in *Terminator*
🎬 Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games - openly defies the Capitol’s rule.
🎬 Batman openly opposing corruption in *Batman Begins*
📚 Guy Montag after his awakening in *Fahrenheit 451*
📚 Snowball initially leading animal rebellion in *Animal Farm*
8. The Well-Intentioned Naïve
Definition: These individuals may oppose authoritarianism but lack the knowledge, skills, or strategies to effectively resist. They may inadvertently compromise safety or amplify authoritarian messaging.
Danger Level: Low to Moderate. Their good intentions can become a liability if mishandled.
Characteristics:
- Strong emotional responses to injustice
- Impulsive or reckless actions without considering consequences
- Susceptible to manipulation by more cunning actors
Engagement Strategy:
- Educate them about the risks of their actions
- Channel their energy into safe, productive resistance efforts
- Provide mentorship or guidance
Examples:
🏛️ First-time protesters who film police without strategy
🎬 Rose Tico's early resistance efforts in *Star Wars*
🎬 The rebellion leaders in *Snowpiercer* before organization
🎬 The humans in *Independence Day* before coordinated response
🎬 The survivors in *Bird Box* who remove their blindfolds
🕹️ Civilians attempting superheroics in *Watchmen*
📚 The first rebellion attempt in *The Hunger Games*
📚 The children's initial revolt in *Lord of the Flies*
9. The Ideologically Confused
Definition: These individuals hold conflicting beliefs, some aligning with authoritarianism and others opposing it. Their actions may be inconsistent.
Danger Level: Variable. They can be swayed to either side.
Characteristics:
- Lack of clarity or consistency in values
- Vulnerable to manipulation or persuasion
- Open to rethinking under the right conditions
Engagement Strategy:
- Engage in value-based conversations to clarify their priorities
- Use empathetic questioning to help them resolve internal contradictions
- Avoid aggressive confrontation, as it can push them toward authoritarianism
Examples:
🏛️ Intellectuals supporting contradictory ideologies
🏛️ J. Robert Oppenheimer pursued the atomic bomb project but later grappled with its devastating consequences
🎬 Bruce Banner struggling with Hulk identity
🎬 Bernard in *Westworld* questioning his own nature
🎬 The humans in *Blade Runner* uncertain about replicants
🎬 The hosts in *Westworld* questioning their reality
🕹️ Harvey Dent/Two-Face embodying internal conflict
📚 The narrator in *Fight Club* before revelation
📚 Winston Smith during re-education in *1984*
Flow Chart
