Given the loss of freedoms during Covid, yes! We could very well find ourselves living under a dictatorship. But, even before we leave this author's first paragraph, we start to get an idea that his real interest is not in a government dictatorship, but the threat to the one already with us via academia and the hard Left. That he wants us to believe that there are "no looming external threats" to Australia is a clue. The China threat has apparently gone; there are no plans for a move closer to us via the Solomon Islands.

He says "in the past two decades Australian governments have passed numerous laws giving police and security agencies ever more powers for surveillance and repression" ….. "for dealing with terrorists, paedophile rings, organised crime and other dangers…", as if actually protecting us means that the next move by the goverment could be against "civil society groups" - guess who a uni-wallah thinks they are.

Here we have just another academic used to lecturing a captive audience still young enough to have unformed brains, in his own little dictatorship.

Then he goes right off, with 'citizens bringing down repressive governments' overseas, "popular resistance" like Occupy and BLM. Popular with him and his kind, maybe, but not with sane, average Australians.

While Australians really need to take more interest in politics and demand better, they have less to worry about from our governments than they do with people like Brian Martin and the rest of the loony Left fomenting revolution and hatred of Australia in universities.

History on the other hand, shows the power of violence in the unification process.
It’s best to be realistic.: the Mongol empire and achievements of Genghis Khan jump to mind.

Dan

Sorry, but the conclusions reached by the Author are risible and smack of conspiracy theory. The loss of some freedom during a pandemic may not have suited a few anti vaxers? But, nonetheless good health policy!

And to argue against public health orders, smacks of the most extreme idealogical imperative and extreme ignorance? Before any would be wannabe dictator can steal power, he/she must first control the media!

And given that the ABC is still independent and a trusted source of validated information, that day has not arrived! Albeit, many right wing organizations, will have us believe otherwise, while they peddle their neo-Nazi/Facist B.S.
Alan B.

Why use the word oppressive ? Only someone with a corrupt mentality resorts to such terms up front without the slightest consideration that a ruler could actually prove to be benevolent !
Only someone who has no benevolence themselves will automatically assume others are llike that also.
In my view a benevolent dictator would be the best anyone could hope for in their country !

'Individual' .. in reference to your last sentence....
However desirable this might be, human nature says it cannot be so.
This is evidenced by the many many examples of dictators with the opposite approach...
Good King Wenceslas is the only 'benevolent' ruler who comes readily to mind.
Also, Mikhail Gorbachev wasn't really so bad, was he?
Generally speaking though, dictatorships are 'oppressive'.

I think that over thousands of years, people have suffered widely at the hands of dictators.
But that didn't bring about the end of our vibrant civilisation.
Somehow, we are still here and thriving.
I think I can plan ahead to breakfast time tomorrow.....maybe even lunch?
We haven't reached the point of hopeless despair yet.

A well informed and articulate population is the best counter to 'oppressive' moves by any government?
However, I don't agree with the american model, where everyone has a kalashnikov under the bed.
Far too easy for mistakes to lead to injury, or the death of innocent persons?
So let us just do what we must do.
We must keep an eye on what is happening around us, and keep going forward resolutely!

human nature says it cannot be so.
Ipso fatso,
It certainly won't happen as long as we have citizens with the poor mentality of not co-operating with any leader for the sake of not co-operating.
How can we expect harmony when one lot constantly demands the other lot do all the work ? Of all the nations on earth, Australia would be best positioned for a leader for all rather than one for one lot & another for the other lot ! All paid for by the lot that works !