"This country is becoming increasingly authoritarian. It's based on capital punishment"

Kate Millett's quote, "This country is ending up being increasingly authoritarian. It's based upon capital penalty", shows a review of the political and judicial systems in a society that relies heavily on punitive procedures, particularly capital penalty, as a mode of governance. The statement can be translated as highlighting the perilous rise of authoritarianism, marked by the increasing use of state power to enforce control through severe and irreversible charges like the capital punishment.

The term "authoritarian" recommends a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, with limited individual freedoms and an emphasis on obedience to authority. In this context, Millett is most likely critiquing the methods which governmental power can end up being established and oppressive, depending on fear and punishment to preserve order and control. Using capital penalty as a cornerstone of such a system indicates a reliance on severe procedures to support laws and deter criminal offense, often at the expense of civil liberties and human rights.

Capital penalty, being the most severe type of legal retribution, ends up being a symbol of this authoritarian technique. Its execution raises moral, ethical, and practical concerns, including the potential for judicial mistakes, the permanent nature of the punishment, and concerns about its effectiveness as a deterrent. By indicating capital penalty as a structure of authoritarian governance, Millett underscores the gravity of a system that prioritizes state power and retribution over rehabilitation, justice, and compassion.

Additionally, Millett's observation can be seen as a broader commentary on the social and political environment of her time, where shifts towards law-and-order policies were often accompanied by decreases in civil liberties. Her critique encourages readers to question the authenticity and morality of governance techniques that stress control and punishment over democratic perfects and human dignity. In essence, Millett's words provoke a reflection on how societies balance state authority with private rights and the methods which legal systems reflect broader class structure and values.