America’s closest parallel right now isn’t other modern societies like Canada and Europe. Those societies do have their radicalised elements. But by and large, they’re at the fringes, well away from majoritarian power. They don’t have the capability to plunge entire states like Florida and Texas into chaos. Their extremists and fanatics are kept in check by healthy institutions. America’s very, very different. Its closest parallel right now is place like Afghanistan. Places where the fanatical elements of society aren’t kept in check — but have the ability to push everything and everyone else to breaking point. Through intimidation, harassment, outright violence. Because, well, they believe flatly crazy things.