Two assassinations. Burning cities. Campus takeovers. Anti-war demonstrations. Chicago. Yes, it seemed like the country was coming apart in 1968. We’re about as divided as we were then–could it happen again?
Yes and no. The violence of 1968 came mostly from members of the left who had (not without reason) lost faith in the system. Today, progressive frustration hasn’t reached that level, although the almost certain failures of a President Warren or Sanders might change that. No, today the real danger to the system comes from the right, which views demography as destiny and doesn’t like what it sees. The right has guns and some willingness to use them.
If Trump loses, therefore, there is some chance of 1968 in reverse. Buckle up–either way, life is going to be very interesting in November, and I don’t mean that in a positive way.