Worsening economic conditions and distortions, resulting from increasing statism and already described in Graphs 1-3, contribute to the perception of a "national emergency" in which normal processes of popular constitutional government (already regarded with disfavor) must be suspended and in which greater power must be allotted to the state to deal with the crisis. Furthermore, each breach of the constitution and of the normal procedures of popular government creates a moral and a legal precedent for further such breaches. The constitution is no longer regarded as an authority, but merely as a guideline or working document, whose principal utility is said to lie in its "flexibility," which allows it to "keep up with the times." An enervated legislature is unable to counter the increasing usurpations of unconstitutional powers by all branches of government. Conversely, as the constitution falls into desuetude, the arrogation of legislative functions by the other branches is more readily accepted.

The demand for a strong politician who can surmount legislative disagreements, the perception of a national crisis, and increasing willingness to suspend normal constitutional procedures all contribute to the emergence of a highly dominant executive leader, with capacities (such as the power to issue executive orders or to wage undeclared wars ) approaching those of a dictator.