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So what about the German right-wing conspiracy that got busted? On one hand, they seem pretty crazy with conspiracy theories and actually believing that the German people would support a coup. On the other hand, they don't seem like random nobodies but the kind of people you would want on your coup if you were to do a coup.
Link to news story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63885028
Some random thoughts:
Was this conspiracy realistic? Or was it just a big larp? (Are all coups big larps?)
How strong were the Russian connections? Are the arrests a blow to Putin?
Why do the conspiracy thing when you can just do normal politics in AfD and actually get power the true and tried way [insert reference to well-known, democratically successful German right wing leader]. Or if you insist on conspiracy, you can at least march trough the institutions, it seems like the better option? And if you really need power nownow, why not just take the exit option (e.g. move to Russia and make your own auth-right comune there?)?
I'd be happy for someone who has an actual take or an interesting perspective on this to create their own top level thread.
Easy to march through the institutions if they're occupied by trad-liberal democrats who believe in the impartial rule of law and freedom of speech.
Hard to march through the institutions if they're fortified by ideologues.
Imagine trying to march through the institutions of Nazi Germany! You can't get anywhere in governance or education unless you're a Party member. You have to swear an oath of loyalty to the fuhrer to work in the civil service or army. Political crimes (interpreted broadly) get you an extremely quick trial in a People's Court and are punished severely, often fatally. Any media power you have will be totally drowned out by the Propaganda Ministry, who dominate the airwaves. Teachers work for the National Socialist Teachers League, all unions are amalgamated into the German Labor Front.
If you somehow manage to make progress, you've got the Gestapo breathing down your neck. They don't bother with judicial review. You just disappear. Alongside them are the Abwehr and SD, competing to perforate your skull. And finally, you have the SS who are a parallel army under total control of the Party, ready and eager for massive purges of political enemies like you.
Obviously modern Germany is not quite as locked down as Nazi Germany. But it's not a welcoming environment for anyone who wants to contest state ideology. Marching through the institutions is like storming a castle - far easier when the gates are down and the battlements are unmanned.
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