When Reality Dawns

Abstract

One major pressure point in the identification process occurs paradoxically when things seem to be going well for the movement in question. A degree of power and influence has been acquired, and the movement is tempted to make a decisive move into the mythical past. ISIS, for example, boldly claimed to have re-established the caliphate on earth, heralding the end times. Fundamentalisms such as ISIS can rationalise their inevitable defeat. They are simply entering a new and different phase of conflict with the infidel, they explain. Populisms have a harder task, however. Their actions to bring back the golden age tend to be more specific, and more difficult to justify when they fail. And fail they ultimately must, since the complex modern world works through social systems which they have explicitly rejected. These systems have a way of fighting back—“The wheels of justice”.