The fear is that the rate at which escalation occurs is tightening significantly, especially with regards to the mobilization of a civilian populace. It stands

The fear is that the rate at which escalation occurs is tightening significantly, especially with regards to the mobilization of a civilian populace. It stands to reason that the rate at which escalation occurs directly correlates with the usage of violence by a government, and that the correlation is with the rate of escalation rather than the maximum level of tension. Or, more to the point, the level of violence applied by a government depends on how quickly shit hits the fan rather than how badly of a mess there is. If shit hits the fan in America, it will hit it very quickly.