Part 4/15:
Reflecting on how societies slide into chaos, Crowe discusses how incremental steps and dehumanization pave the way for large-scale horrors. The gradual stripping away of rights and dignity pushes individuals into a state where rational men can commit undoubtedly irrational, destructive acts. Crowe observes that this process of dehumanization continues today—be it in political polarization, racial tensions, or wars—fueled by simplistic binaries like “red versus blue,” which deny human nuance and nuance’s vital role in understanding one another. Such divisions hinder meaningful dialogue, extending their corrosive influence into societal institutions.