Bruce> It started when
It is rare that a historical transition begins with a single, well defined event. "An early major inflection point was when"? :) Is the distinction too fine? Treason at the Paris Peace Talks comes close to a sharp line, but even then ...
> Then what happened?
Two steps forward and one back? Even if it's a big step, it is a step. Still, maintaining a vibrant democracy requires vigilance -- "if you can keep it."