The fear of totalitarianism arising out of the collective purpose of unfettered democracy (as described by Jacob Talmon in his The Origins of Totalitarian Democracy) is the fear expressed by God during the episode of the Molten Calf (the Disguised Chariot). That episode is only initially about the people's stiff-neckedness. It is ultimately about YHWH's fury. The need for the mitigating institution of the mishkan is not only because of some flaw in the character of the people; it is also because of some lack of restraint in the character of the ruler. That weakness of the ruler's character is what Talmon was worried about in his vision of totalitarian democracy.
The trouble with Talmon’s (leftist) secular approach is that he distrusts the ruler rather than working to establish some sacred institutions in society that would make the rulers trustworthy.
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