"Civil War" ​​A story of resistance against out-of-control power

Repeating history and the current crisis

So far, this is a fictional story set in a movie, but similar situations occur repeatedly in real life as well.

For example, Napoleon achieved military success during the turmoil of the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, and, backed by his military power and popularity, he became the "First Consul" of the new government. He eventually amended the constitution, removing term limits for the "Consul" position and making it a lifelong one. To further solidify his power, he became the "Emperor of the French" and made the position of emperor hereditary. The French Revolution was supposed to be a civil revolution that overthrew the monarchy and established a republic, but just 11 years after the execution of Louis XVI, it transformed into an empire with Napoleon as the new monarch.

Something similar has happened in Japan recently. The Japanese Prime Minister is elected by indirect elections by Diet members, not by direct elections by the people, meaning that the party with the majority of seats can essentially appoint the Prime Minister. And because the Liberal Democratic Party has been the largest party for a long time, the member elected as the President of the LDP automatically becomes the Prime Minister of Japan.

In fact, the Japanese Constitution does not stipulate a term limit for the Prime Minister. However, the LDP's party rules do stipulate a term limit for the President. Although this has changed over time, since 1978 it has been two years for one term, with reelection limited to two terms. In 2003 this was extended to three years for one term, making it possible for a Prime Minister to serve for a maximum of six years. Then in 2017 this was further changed to three terms of three years, with a maximum of nine years.

As the LDP has simply changed its internal party rules, there is nothing illegal about this. However, as I have already stated, the principle of a democratic nation is "renewal" rather than "maintaining the status quo." The fact that the Abe administration achieved the longest term in office in Japan's constitutional history can also be seen as a result of ignoring moral rules. I also feel that there is something risky about the current system, where the issue of extending the term of office is not widely discussed and is decided without the participation of the people. If the term of office can be extended for the convenience of the ruling party, then a lifetime term for the prime minister can also be realized.

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The 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was also a bizarre scene that reminded us of the collapse of democracy. Former President Donald Trump, who lost to Joe Biden in the presidential election, unilaterally claimed that the election was rigged, and 800 Trump supporters stormed into the Capitol to occupy it. Is it too science fictional to think that if Biden's presidential nomination had been prevented at that time, the Trump administration might have provisionally entered a second term?

In an interview published in the theater pamphlet, Garland said that "Civil War" depicts the future where extremist politicians and populist politicians have risen to power. The future of populist politics, where the rules are bent in favor of popularity, is already rolling around before our eyes in many ways.

A story of resistance against out-of-control power