Citing philosopher Hannah Arendt, Rabbi Brous argues that widespread social alienation is a precondition for violent political extremism. Isolation renders people powerless and unable to act together for the common good, creating fertile ground for tyranny.

The current crisis of faith in society isn't new; people have always known individuals can be corrupt. What has changed is the demonstrable proof that core institutions—government, media, etc.—are systemically incompetent and corrupt. This breakdown erodes the foundational ideologies, like democracy, that these institutions were meant to uphold.

Widespread suffering alone doesn't trigger a revolution. Historically, successful uprisings require a politically savvy, well-organized group with a clear agenda and influential leadership. Disparate and unorganized populations, no matter how desperate, tend to see their energy dissipate without causing systemic change.

While people form strong ideological tribes online, these virtual communities offer no protection from physical threats. During societal instability, geography becomes paramount, as people self-select into physically safe locations, reinforcing regional divides.

Contrary to media portrayals, crises don't typically cause selfish panic. Instead, the shared threat creates a powerful 'emergent identity.' This fosters immediate solidarity and allows groups to cooperate effectively to solve problems, such as rationing supplies or organizing rescue efforts, by focusing on their common fate.

When traditional pillars of identity like family, church, and nationalism weaken, people seek belonging elsewhere. This void is often filled by substitute tribal affiliations, from football clubs to rigid ideologies, which provide a sense of community and clear values where none existed before.

Democratic systems were designed for slow, compromise-seeking processes. However, modern technology creates a 'cacophony' of instant information and demands immediate reactions. This fundamental mismatch contributes to societal instability and a feeling that the system is broken, driving people toward authoritarian figures who promise quick fixes.

When people perceive that their political participation is futile and that corporations can simply lobby their way past regulation, they are more likely to support violence. A sense of political efficacy is a powerful antidote to radicalization.

The true danger isn't partisan bickering but the collapse of shared cultural institutions like family, faith, and community. These provided a common identity and purpose that held the nation together, and their erosion leaves a void that politics cannot fill, removing the nation's "center of gravity."