In chapter one of Ryszard Legutko’s novel The Demon in Democracy, the author draws many obvious comparisons between liberal democracy and communism. Legutko’s novel is a resistance to totalitarianism because it reprimands those who do not speak up against communism and instead accept it into their own beliefs.
In the introduction of the novel, Legutko starts off with a simple observation, that “many of my friends who consciously classify themselves as devoted supporters of liberal democracy…displayed extraordinary meekness and empathy towards communism.” (pg 1). This thought was very well explained throughout chapter one, the reason being that both ideal systems have so much in common that resisting one would be resisting both. Legutko explains how both place an emphasis on modernization, basically meaning out with the old and in with the new. The thought is that is liberal democrats speak out against communism, they would be supporting traditionalists, which would weaken their own belief system. By pointing out these connections, Legutko is able to almost satirize liberal democrat’s fear of contradicting themselves, because they would rather hold their own ideals rather than condemn an immoral party system. This in turn shows his true feelings against totalitarianism, and effectively resists it.
Also, in chapter one, Legutko mentions three different ways a regime could become totalitarian, and then explains how a liberal democracy could easily fall into the trap of converting their beliefs. Legutko states a regime could become communistic when “the historical development of humanity [reaches] full self-consciousness.” (pg 13). This ideal sounds very similar to the ideal system of liberal democracy, and almost mirrors it. Instead of glorifying this type of development, Legutko sees it as a danger to our society, because it seems like the general population has started to accept these types of beliefs instead of speaking out against them. By pointing out these careless mistakes made by the liberal democrats, Legutko is able to effective resist totalitarianism in the modern era.