Norman Mailer argues in the International Herald Tribune that "the Bushites" really believe that the only way to save America (from the decadence whose mention makes their "conservative" partners slaver and drool) is to build a military empire. That our own democracy will be destroyed in the process is of no concern to these interests.

He recognizes that in the end we may not go to war against Iraq, and he believes that if that happens, "Bush is in terrible trouble." He's not optimistic however.

My guess though, is that, like it or not, want it or not, America is going to go to war because that is the only solution Bush and his people can see.

The dire prospect that opens, therefore, is that America is going to become a mega-banana republic where the army will have more and more importance in Americans' lives. It will be an ever greater and greater overlay on the American system. And before it is all over, democracy, noble and delicate as it is, may give way. My long experience with human nature - I'm 80 years old now - suggests that it is possible that fascism, not democracy, is the natural state.

Indeed, democracy is the special condition - a condition we will be called upon to defend in the coming years. That will be enormously difficult because the combination of the corporation, the military and the complete investiture of the flag with mass spectator sports has set up a pre-fascistic atmosphere in America already.