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Ruth Ben-Ghiat

@ruthbenghiat • 236,411 subscribers

Authoritarians, propaganda, democracy, coups/Historian/Consultant 🎥/Book: Strongmen, a NYT bestseller/ @caaspeakers /Substack on democracy threats ⬇️

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Some thoughts about how Trump’s various “renovations” are not just about his megalomania or aesthetic, but it’s also about corruption. It’s important we recognize it, understand what’s happening, and then call them out for their corruption.

Some thoughts about how Trump’s various “renovations” are not just about his megalomania or aesthetic, but it’s also about corruption. It’s important we recognize it, understand what’s happening, and then call them out for their corruption.

42,362 Aufrufe • vor 1 Tag

This is not politics as usual. We’ve never had an openly authoritarian leader in office. Nor have we had a party totally subservient to their leader. We must resist as such during these not normal times.

This is not politics as usual. We’ve never had an openly authoritarian leader in office. Nor have we had a party totally subservient to their leader. We must resist as such during these not normal times.

162,724 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

We don’t talk enough about how autocrats view taxpayer dollars—not as public resources to serve the people, but as a pot of gold to enrich themselves and their allies. Their focus isn’t public welfare; it’s personal profit and power.

We don’t talk enough about how autocrats view taxpayer dollars—not as public resources to serve the people, but as a pot of gold to enrich themselves and their allies. Their focus isn’t public welfare; it’s personal profit and power.

36,250 Aufrufe • vor 27 Tagen

There’s a concerted effort led by Trump to emotionally recondition people to think that kindness, empathy, and solidarity are weaknesses. They are not. We must show there is another way than what they want us to believe.

There’s a concerted effort led by Trump to emotionally recondition people to think that kindness, empathy, and solidarity are weaknesses. They are not. We must show there is another way than what they want us to believe.

26,758 Aufrufe • vor 24 Tagen

Go down the list of Mr. Trump’s inner circle and think about it: He needs people who are flawed, because he can easily corrupt them.

Go down the list of Mr. Trump’s inner circle and think about it: He needs people who are flawed, because he can easily corrupt them.

45,903 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Make no mistake: This isn’t just about changing a political system. This is also about wrecking American soft power — in a way that will take years to repair.

Make no mistake: This isn’t just about changing a political system. This is also about wrecking American soft power — in a way that will take years to repair.

19,313 Aufrufe • vor 21 Tagen

It is no coincidence Trump & his allies are targeting 60 Minutes. Not only is this is a deliberate effort to weaken a free press, they also know independent reporting reaches audiences beyond their political base — which is why they work so hard to discredit them.

It is no coincidence Trump & his allies are targeting 60 Minutes. Not only is this is a deliberate effort to weaken a free press, they also know independent reporting reaches audiences beyond their political base — which is why they work so hard to discredit them.

23,282 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Some thoughts on how Trump's push to put his face on a $250 bill isn't just illegal—it's another loyalty test. Like many autocratic leaders, Trump is demanding public displays of personal devotion, which will become more frequent as his popularity declines.

Some thoughts on how Trump's push to put his face on a $250 bill isn't just illegal—it's another loyalty test. Like many autocratic leaders, Trump is demanding public displays of personal devotion, which will become more frequent as his popularity declines.

27,265 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Strongmen, like Trump, live in constant fear of being held accountable — which is why all of us should be concerned about what they might do in the midterms. The best thing we can do is pay attention, call them out for what they’re doing, & turn out in huge numbers in November.

Strongmen, like Trump, live in constant fear of being held accountable — which is why all of us should be concerned about what they might do in the midterms. The best thing we can do is pay attention, call them out for what they’re doing, & turn out in huge numbers in November.

46,986 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Back then, wannabe dictators either declared dictatorship or a staged coup — and that was it. Today wannabe dictators use “electoral autocracy” — they come to power via elections but then hollow out the electoral system through voter suppression, banning rivals from running for office, intimidation, and other tactics. They do this because they know our vote is our voice. Never agree to be silenced. Register others to vote and make sure you vote.

Back then, wannabe dictators either declared dictatorship or a staged coup — and that was it. Today wannabe dictators use “electoral autocracy” — they come to power via elections but then hollow out the electoral system through voter suppression, banning rivals from running for office, intimidation, and other tactics. They do this because they know our vote is our voice. Never agree to be silenced. Register others to vote and make sure you vote.

48,811 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Bannon says President Trump is in office to act as a vehicle of divine providence. This is one of the oldest propaganda lines in authoritarian history, as I explain here:

Bannon says President Trump is in office to act as a vehicle of divine providence. This is one of the oldest propaganda lines in authoritarian history, as I explain here:

66,489 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Pay attention to the oddities coming from the Trump Administration when they talk about the War in Iran. When leaders start fishing for justifications after the fact, it gives the public more opportunities to identify weak points, apply pressure, and oppose the war.

Pay attention to the oddities coming from the Trump Administration when they talk about the War in Iran. When leaders start fishing for justifications after the fact, it gives the public more opportunities to identify weak points, apply pressure, and oppose the war.

31,769 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Trump’s effort to undermine free and fair elections is intentional. I explain how this is part of a 10 year propaganda campaign to cast doubt on the integrity of our elections.

Trump’s effort to undermine free and fair elections is intentional. I explain how this is part of a 10 year propaganda campaign to cast doubt on the integrity of our elections.

24,762 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Under authoritarian regimes, public spheres — streets, parks, neighborhood — become testing grounds for authoritarian rituals of humiliation and domination.

Under authoritarian regimes, public spheres — streets, parks, neighborhood — become testing grounds for authoritarian rituals of humiliation and domination.

33,091 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Throughout history, change is most effective when people speak up. I am encouraged by the increasing number of people, especially those in the sports world, who are speaking out — and hope we can inspire more to do the same.

Throughout history, change is most effective when people speak up. I am encouraged by the increasing number of people, especially those in the sports world, who are speaking out — and hope we can inspire more to do the same.

34,723 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Often, when autocrats are doing badly at home, they become more imperialist. It’s impossible to think about the War with Iran without thinking about Trump’s hubris and Netanyahu’s desired expansionism.

Often, when autocrats are doing badly at home, they become more imperialist. It’s impossible to think about the War with Iran without thinking about Trump’s hubris and Netanyahu’s desired expansionism.

25,089 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

As Hungary demonstrated, even under authoritarian rule, not only do people dislike blatant corruption or brutality, but the people can prevail.

As Hungary demonstrated, even under authoritarian rule, not only do people dislike blatant corruption or brutality, but the people can prevail.

11,505 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

My thoughts about the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis — and why this is what happens under authoritarian regimes that socializes its agents to wage war on the public.

My thoughts about the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis — and why this is what happens under authoritarian regimes that socializes its agents to wage war on the public.

29,253 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Oligarchs usually operate outside government. But under the Trump administration, they moved inside — accelerating the dismantling of the civil service by using anti-democratic tactics.

Oligarchs usually operate outside government. But under the Trump administration, they moved inside — accelerating the dismantling of the civil service by using anti-democratic tactics.

24,642 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Trump & his allies are completely discarding any of language of democracy and international law.

Trump & his allies are completely discarding any of language of democracy and international law.

24,609 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten