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Ruth Ben-Ghiat

@ruthbenghiat • 236,479 subscribers

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

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There is no comparison for how fast Trump has destructed government and wrecked the nation. But he’s also more unpopular than he ever has been — and that should encourage us to continue resisting, speaking out, and voting.

There is no comparison for how fast Trump has destructed government and wrecked the nation. But he’s also more unpopular than he ever has been — and that should encourage us to continue resisting, speaking out, and voting.

17,400 görüntüleme • 3 gün önce

I explain how Trump is leaving all his options on the table when it comes to trying to interfere or intimidate people from voting. We should be clear-eyed about what he’s doing and make sure all of us show up in full force in November, so his antics won’t work.

I explain how Trump is leaving all his options on the table when it comes to trying to interfere or intimidate people from voting. We should be clear-eyed about what he’s doing and make sure all of us show up in full force in November, so his antics won’t work.

15,091 görüntüleme • 5 gün önce

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.

162,839 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce

My thoughts on how we are witnessing the eatablishment of an institutionalized system of corruption in the United States. I write more about this administration and how it compares to other autocracies at my Substack,

My thoughts on how we are witnessing the eatablishment of an institutionalized system of corruption in the United States. I write more about this administration and how it compares to other autocracies at my Substack,

16,499 görüntüleme • 9 gün önce

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.

43,705 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

Trump is normalizing corruption at record speed. We must call out his corruption in all its forms because his goal is for us to become numb to it. You can find more of my analysis of Trump’s corruption at my Substack,

Trump is normalizing corruption at record speed. We must call out his corruption in all its forms because his goal is for us to become numb to it. You can find more of my analysis of Trump’s corruption at my Substack,

10,688 görüntüleme • 11 gün önce

As someone who has studied strongmen throughout history, I can’t stress enough that we should not see authoritarians as infallible.

As someone who has studied strongmen throughout history, I can’t stress enough that we should not see authoritarians as infallible.

24,387 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

As an educator, I am concerned about the destruction of truth. There is a concerted effort to wipe away the importance of truth across the board — an attempt to make trusted authorities into optics of suspicion.

As an educator, I am concerned about the destruction of truth. There is a concerted effort to wipe away the importance of truth across the board — an attempt to make trusted authorities into optics of suspicion.

16,633 görüntüleme • 29 gün önce

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.

36,316 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

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 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce

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.

26,848 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

Strongmen are always looking out for themselves. That’s why they create inner sanctums around themselves, surrounding themselves with family members who do not give them objective feedback. We should all be concerned when leaders surround themselves with only sycophants.

Strongmen are always looking out for themselves. That’s why they create inner sanctums around themselves, surrounding themselves with family members who do not give them objective feedback. We should all be concerned when leaders surround themselves with only sycophants.

10,822 görüntüleme • 24 gün önce

Putin’s war against Ukraine isn’t just about gaining territory, it aims to obliterate Ukraine as a sovereign country and culture.

Putin’s war against Ukraine isn’t just about gaining territory, it aims to obliterate Ukraine as a sovereign country and culture.

11,401 görüntüleme • 26 gün önce

Here, I talk about why we should pay attention to what I describe as an age of “plunder.” That is, the erosion and destruction of the rights and freedoms of the many.

Here, I talk about why we should pay attention to what I describe as an age of “plunder.” That is, the erosion and destruction of the rights and freedoms of the many.

13,343 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

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 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce

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.

47,000 görüntüleme • 6 ay önce

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 görüntüleme • 10 ay önce

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.

23,310 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

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 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

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 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce