We don't yet know which term historians will give to this administration's autocratic policies and practices , but given the pattern of Bush's abuses and their long-term effects, this period of US history will no doubt earn its own name.
I'd like to nominate "Bushism," which would function like "Stalinism" and "McCarthyism" to define both a political system and a historical era. I realize "Bushism" currently refers to Bush's speaking errors, but this usage will fade, while the sense I am talking about will not: indeed, if "Bushism" doesn't become the name for this malevolent system of government, another term will need to be invented.
To define "Bushism" in such a manner, one needs both a concise definition, and longer, detailed analyses. The latter will someday fill many books and has already filled countless blog entries. My purpose here is to begin defining "Bushism" concisely, rehearsing its usage for historians, political scientists, and everyday people.
I offer one definition and encourage others to refine it or offer another. Most of all, I encourage you to start using the term "Bushism" in the manner suggested here.
What is Bushism? Bushism is the system of government developed under George W. Bush, characterized by absolute executive power, systematic violation of laws and treaties, spying on American citizens, and worldwide torture sites. Bushism merges neoconservative militarism, Christian fundamentalism, and neoliberal economics.
Shorter still: Bushism uses executive power to justify criminality, domestic spying, and global torture for the purposes of war, evangelism, and profit.
The real challenge: selecting from all of Bushco's many traits. I've obviously left out many others: exposure of CIA agents, manipulation of intelligence, election rigging, secrecy, incompetence, corruption, cronyism, lying, propagandizing, Orwellian double-speak, intimidation, smear tactics, unaccountability, xenophobia, anti-environmentalism, etc. The goal here, however, is not comprehensiveness (which is the function of longer analyses), but capturing the essence of the Bush regime. I am sure others may stress a different set of attributes.
Try to define "Bushism" in 40 words or less, and then 20 words or less.
Then try using the term several times each day. The sooner folks understand that we are living under Bushism, the better. The first despot of the 21st century deserves nothing less.