[adamcstephens]

“If” people lose faith in the power of politics to improve their situation? A good portion of the US has lost that faith.

I’d also argue that our leaders have lost their creativity. The real test will be over the next two years. The Democrats have that long to show they can rekindle creativity that will help people. If they don’t, I fear Trump may turn out to be a leading indicator to much worse demagoguery.

[sheefrex]

I'm not from the US so I thread hesitantly here.

But it seems to me that there is still a lot of energy from the population at large being devoted to politics, such as with the higher turnout in the last presidential election. When that starts to decline, such as when people just can't be bothered to vote, will be the real sign they no longer have faith in politics.

I think you are right regarding creativity – but that is the case across the West it seems to me.

[runsWphotons]

Some people are attributing the Georgia senate race outcomes to the fact that many republicans didn't bother to vote in the special election (because they heard it was "rigged"). If those people don't vote again then we will see the US head in the direction you mention. I also think you can't look at 2020 and not see increased religious fervor everywhere (in reply to comment above).