Introduction: Ten steps -- The founders and the fragility of democracy -- Invoke an external and internal threat -- Establish secret prisons -- Develop a paramilitary force -- Surveil ordinary citizens -- Infiltrate citizens' groups -- Arbitrarily detain and release citizens -- Target key individuals -- Restrict the press -- Cast criticism as "espionage" and dissent as "treason" -- Subvert the rule of law -- Conclusion: The patriot's task.