Democracy is being challenged in many countries (east and west). Governments and societies are flirting dangerously with totalitarianism – sometimes in the open, others in more covert ways. Are we going to slide away from freedom and liberty? 

The world is already a very, very different place than not long ago. Changes keep hitting us at a breakneck pace and from all sides. Everything is unstable. In many ways, it has already hit the fan, and there's no going back. 

But there's no problem so bad that it can't be made worse. The powers-that-be seem to be intent on doing just that. Governments, politicians, and non-elected bureaucrats from all corners are seizing the opportunity created by the circumstances to steal further our freedom, wealth, and even our health.

So yes, totalitarianism is a possibility. But is it likely?

Recently, I argued why I believe the free world's institutions, values, and principles might stand and its democracy prevail, despite being heavily tested and probably taken to its limits. 

Before labeling me an optimist, know that I hope for the best but prepare for the worst. And when I say things will be good, I'm talking mid-term (we all die in the long term). Soon, I expect life on the planet to get significantly more challenging and more dangerous. 

There are traps, risks, and indeed some bumps and Black Swans along the way, namely the possibility of divisiveness and economic hardships and international tensions developing into more severe revolutions, social and geopolitical conflicts, in the US and – well, really anywhere.