Strongmen: How They Rise, How They Rule, How They Fall

Strongmen rule in some of the most geopolitically important nations of the world. Understanding how they think and how to push back against them is essential. In this talk, Ruth Ben-Ghiat lays out the "authoritarian playbook" - violence, machismo, corruption, propaganda, and coercion -- which strongmen use to obtain and stay in power. She also highlights the pathologies of authoritarianism and how they often lead autocrats becoming isolated, believing their own propaganda, and making bad decisions, resulting ultimately in challenges to their rule. Ben-Ghiat will review what works to resist strongmen today and discuss the present political situation in the United States, where she sees the Republican Party increasingly adopting the traits of authoritarian rule.

[@macncheese9026]

Mind-blowing. I don't understand why this message isn't exploding through progressive media

[@jabbermocky4520]

"Getting away with it is the essence of authoritarianism." R B-G. Profoundly true.

[@jcbjcb2]

C**ks worship "successful" criminality/abuse - including the Supreme Leader's abuse of the c**ks (which is partly why those c**ks refer to themselves as c**ks).

[@abocas]

President tr***?. I think you mean FORMER president ......

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

Trump signed a two trillion dollar tax cut and that went straight to the deficit, he didn't pay for one cent of it.... it went straight to his 8 trillion dollar ad to the deficit in four years!

[@emmetthenderson5381]

Personality types that are attracted to strongman types we see this everywhere ie the workplace, social media etc

[@mr.f1688]

It’s unbelievable that most people can’t see this.

[@jcbjcb2]

Some c**ks are aware that they are pure fodder. ...then "up" through the levels of apparatchiks... ... to the "top": Even when a tyrant goes rogue on the oligarchy, then completely effs, many oligarchs suffer only temporary "freeze" of the stream of wealth that they extract.

[@lesilluminations1]

Ruth brings her wonderful grace and clarity of mind to this crucial topic.

[@ReadMoreHistory-v9u]

Watching this in 2024 and she is spot on.

[@lseh4720]

Excellent. I hope the world will see this and read her book.

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

This lecture has 4.8k views.... that's sad, these are the people the world should be listening to right now!

[@jcbjcb2]

@@DanielMulloy-bg6gw 6.6k views on 5-Nov-2023

[@garyjohnson1466]

Exactly, all this I recognize way back in 2016, it’s refreshing to hear such a intelligent woman express it so well, thank you professor Ben-Ghait, everyone needs to read your book, including myself….

[@helenannewilsonrid9608]

I blame the lack of civics in high school, the poor quality of public and private education, the lack of appreciation of the lessons of history.

[@thinktwice-me7ie]

Dear Ruth, you are gorgeous! Thank you for your great work and your formidable communication skills.

[@joeschermann7729]

The Academy never disappoints. Keep up the wonderful - and crucial - work.

[@rgrifferon]

The spirit of Mussolini indwells Trump.

[@asbeautifulasasunset]

Thank you for your work and your book. I read it.

[@garyjohnson1466]

Excellent dialogue, interesting questions, it’s so wonderfully refreshing to listen to such a knowledgeable intelligent and well prepared speaker, as professor Ben-Ghiat, it’s to bad such people have to write a book before people wake up to the tricks of authoritarianism’s, one must become a skeptical person, especially of those who berate and demonize others, an promise anything for power, it’s different to unseat a monster once you put a crown one their head…

[@andreasferenczi7613]

OK, since she clearly demonizes others, let's apply that skepticism. There were something like 4000 people arrested for social media posts in the UK last year. More than in Russia, which has twice as many inhabitants. But Putin is the authoritarian, not Rishi Sunak. About Orbán: is it really Orbán who has changed? Or could it be, that the West has changed? I feel it's more of the latter, but sure, maybe both are true. Yet, nobody has been arrested for social media posts in Hungary. It turns out - through the recent hearings, that obviously people who were in Biden's circles, have used the FBI to suppress the Hunter Biden lap-top story. The FBI, despite being in possession of the lap-top, despite having had poeple corroberating the information on the lap-top, despite having determined, that the lap-top was most likely genuine, despite all that, they instructed social media to censor any such information, because it supposedly was Russian disinformation. So the information showing clear-cut corruption of the Bidens was suppressed. Also, despite them having been tipped off, that the Hillary campaign had aimed to set up a false narrative, that Trump was some sort of Russian assett, when that narrative was floated, the FBI as well as Mueller went along with it and investigated Trump. Now we learn from those same hearings, that they should have known this was all a false narrative orchestrated by Hillary. So clearly, the Bidens have sought to enrich themselves through their political offices, they suppressed their political opponents, they have and still are prosecuting them for things, that have never been prosecuted before. But somehow it's Trump who is the authoritarian for having said to peacefully protest on Jan. 6th. I'm sorry, but my skepticism tells me, that Ruth ben Ghiat is probably part of the authoritarian propaganda effort trying to keep the old elites in power.

[@nolanwhite9642]

Wow! She nailed it.

[@paulcastillo953]

So know that and staying quiet àbout it by not sounding the aalarnk

[@joeharmon3301]

So well expressed, thank you! And, thank you for all of your research and courageous to express truth.

[@louiseasmith1336]

Hate on the right, ridicule on the left. It's damn hard for someone like me to molly coddle haters.

[@emmetthenderson5381]

An interesting study would be what kind of people (personality type) that are attracted to fascism? Secondly is it attached to personal education levels?

[@beefandbarley]

People with fear, resentment and low self esteem gravitate to a “champion” to punish perceived “enemies”. Fear, resentment and low self esteem are also, not coincidentally, character traits of narcissists, sociopaths and psychopaths.

[@jcbjcb2]

@@beefandbarley +++

[@darren2667]

Trump would be in Prison if this lady was the Prosecutor or the Judge ...lmao

[@emmetthenderson5381]

And she would be right.

[@petermartell568]

Mussolini was booted out of the socialist party

[@mweskamppp]

Because he did not fit there.

[@mweskamppp]

The man mentioning the long time things need until something is done frustrates many in our society and a strong man just breaking the rules and doing it. Yes, that is a point. Good, that the LNG Terminals germany finished last year and the others this year surprised maybe even shocked many of those people who are fascinated with strong men and disgusted with long lasting deciding procedures. They see, that fast is possible in our democracy if there is some pressure and the long process to hear the arguments of anybody who is opposing is a usually a good point in our society.

[@abocas]

Ruth bG is so very into her stuff that it is fascinating to listen to her. Great interview 👍

[@jazzffer]

Remove them from their country's socio-political context and they will be portrayed as self-serving people, just like this presentor/writer has been doing.

[@weiyehlee]

What laws could one put in place that would prevent strongmen/strongwomen from rising?

[@jcbjcb2]

In the USA, an abandoned and somewhat inaccurate method was the "Fairness Doctrine" (FCC enforced upon only broadcast outlets, and only because Congress earlier declared radio spectrums as the public's property, thereby subject to regulation.) More accurately targeted would be legislation, prosecution, sentencing, etc to punish fraud perpetrated through mass communications. For example, Fux/Murdoch et al was/were recently found liable for defamation (of Dominion) - but in only a _civil_ lawsuit. Note that the discovery exposed all elements of massive blatant criminal fraud. Orwell, Goebbels, Stalin, et al knew that essential "brainwashing" required bulk dissemination of lies/disinformation (as contrasted to misinformation, which would qualify as "filthy" free speech) A proto-tyrant's disinfo apparatus would pretend to disseminate misinformation. Aggressive law enforcement against "white collar crime" (~=fraud) would almost quash the disinfo apparatus's desire to brainwash with disinformation.

[@linming5610]

None. Strongman politics rises from lack of reliable leadership in times of a dilemma and a very ambitious and powerful person took the reigns to "solve" it. No one (afaik) can stop it unless you can stop every kind of degradation in societies.

[@oscarmora4602]

Fascinating

[@Nicole-ly1fs]

It does seem that in a democracy things get done very slowly if at all. But maybe that’s true with governments that have indirect democracy via representatives. We are the turning point and could instill direct democracy And arrange a tricameral legislation. Blockchain and the theorem could be used for people to directly participate in government and oversee events. We must stop looking backwards and start looking forward to new possibilities that are in front of us!!!

[@JackBlase]

Was once among Democrats. They wanted to groom me for office. Explained to me objectives, strategies, and, in some cases ruthless, examples in Democrat history. Very liberal. All of it with the indefatigable drive to acquire sole control, establishing centralized government, etc. I wonder at tainted erudition that finds its modeling and affiliation pure and right, and what’s left very bad.

[@louiseasmith1336]

Dems corruption @ 20%, Repubs corruption @ 89%.

[@jcbjcb2]

"centralized government" always exists. Centrist/dem voters reject excess "control" (such as perpetrated by redstate kochapparat).