The fear is that the rate at which escalation occurs is tightening significantly, especially with regards to the mobilization of a civilian populace.
It stands to reason that the rate at which escalation occurs directly correlates with the usage of violence by a government, and that the correlation is with the rate of escalation rather than the maximum level of tension.
Or, more to the point, the level of violence applied by a government depends on how quickly shit hits the fan rather than how badly of a mess there is.
If shit hits the fan in America, it will hit it very quickly.
It stands to reason that the rate at which escalation occurs directly correlates with the usage of violence by a government, and that the correlation is with the rate of escalation rather than the maximum level of tension.
Or, more to the point, the level of violence applied by a government depends on how quickly shit hits the fan rather than how badly of a mess there is.
If shit hits the fan in America, it will hit it very quickly.