Anne Applebaum: Autocracy Is “Infecting U.S. Politics” | Amanpour and Company

[@punampatelgrewal8082]

Unity, not immunity Democracy, not autocracy Sanity, not vanity Voting, not hoping

[@brlopwn]

This is great!

[@bibirennt3691]

Doing, not booing

[@SandiTink]

Autocracy has already infected our politics.

[@michalveltrusky9633]

and organisations like UN or Amnesty are Autocrasie's mouthpieces or their agents in the case of A.Gutteres or their facilitators in the case of UNRWA

[@michellebenson5589]

Then do something to stop the infection! Vote and get involved.

[@byzantium8851]

@@michalveltrusky9633you can’t even spell autocracy

[@18_rabbit]

@@michalveltrusky9633 almost always not the case re UN. Remember the UN is made up of locals in every area!! Not true stmts about Amnesty International at all, and the UN condemns autocracies typical behavior, e.g. trampling on human rights

[@johntucker5994]

Anne Applebaum is just excellent in her analysis. One thing to note: Autocrats prefer fellow autocratic governments because they are easier to buy off and manipulate, as opposed to a country which has more dispersed power centers and an unpredictable democratic process. It isn't about common principles per se but about the ability to control.

[@michalveltrusky9633]

Organisations like UN or Amnesty are on the team of Autocracy Inc. ,that is they are the West's enemies, which is being continuously shown by actions such as of UNRWA That is what I am missing from Anne otherwise cohesive writing

[@jorgeponce5512]

Go with Anne straight to Chasiv Yar - risk YOUR mASS for "freedom and democracy". After you finish there, then head to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Barhain, Morocco, Jordan, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, on and on. ENJOY.

[@azalia423]

I wish she would also examine the autocracy of Zionism in the US.

[@apollointhedark5758]

@apollointhedark5758 0 seconds ago The entire world knows that America is no Democracy. America is a Oligarchy that is ruled by super wealthy corporate Tyrants. Just look at all the crime, poverty and all the violence in America. The Greed of the Tyrants has destroyed the uSA.

[@brandflamme8227]

intellectual contortions not to place the USA in the axe of evil AS WELL. Nagasaki, Vietnam, Irak, Assange, Chile, Argentina. The queen of hypocrisy

[@allthewayfrom]

Today’s GOP wants autocracy. Whenever a GOP member goes on television and wants to talk about policies, whoever is interviewing them should ask them something more fundamental: why do you support undemocratic policies? Please don’t debate policy when one side (the GOP) wants to dismantle the republic itself.

[@michellebenson5589]

WONDERFULLY SAID!!

[@CarlGerhardt1]

It was mostly Democrats that imposed the most tyrannical thing in American history...the bio-fascist lockdowns and vaccine mandates during the COVID hysteria.

[@elizabethkrage972]

Exactly right! Do not give them the TV media time!

[@18_rabbit]

precisely! The Washington state GOP's recent convention saw resolutions declaring that the state GOP should not support laws making the 'country more of a democracy'. THEIR WORDS! literally! and there's more details, u can read in short piece by Seattle Times

[@wjhrazorsedge76]

The media is being bought as well by the money. We need Democratic minded journalists that support Democracy as well. Fiscal law & ethics & integrity are needed more than ever. Adam Kinzinger has it. Jerry Moran from KS or Mitch McConnell from Kentucky do not. I'm not for a one sided fix, but these former two have proved they have no integrity to the US Constitution.

[@carolyn7691]

"The lack of transparency in the political world is dangerous. We should start by cleaning up our own act" Applebaum.

[@apollointhedark5758]

@apollointhedark5758 0 seconds ago The entire world knows that America is no Democracy. America is a Oligarchy that is ruled by super wealthy corporate Tyrants. Just look at all the crime, poverty and all the violence in America. The Greed of the Tyrants has destroyed the uSA.

[@leannevandekew1996]

In the cult of personality, believing in stupid things is how Trump supporters show their loyalty.

[@simonfisher2239]

Exactly. Same with North Korea - forcing people to pretend to believe, and eventually "really" believe ridiculous things is a power move. Trump did that I think, but we didn't know what we were seeing. Inauguration crowds, & his bizarre health report by RonnyRonnie "200 years" Candyman Jackson were not just distraction from the truly evil policy stuff he was doing, they were also a demonstration of power, a warning that this is how people need to behave now.

[@JustAnotherGoddess52]

Anne Applebaum is a hero! Thank you so much for having her on your show.

[@gerardburke2517]

No she's not. She smears people who disagrees with her and promotes war

[@telepheasa1]

A Republic if we can keep it....that is the question.....the autocrats are ready to take over unless the American people take action!

[@investorswantedchannel8059]

What a genius!!!! Anne For President!!!!!!!!!

[@leannevandekew1996]

These autocracies depend on a cult of personality.

[@loca8048]

Am I the only one who sees where the US is headed, if not close to being there? Run by billionaires, rule of law of one or control of judiciary, etc.

[@MauricioGonzalezFilms]

The oligarchs in US are out and open, like Elon Musk

[@kesart8378]

​@@MauricioGonzalezFilms And it has been suggested, given his fulsome biography of Musk, that Walter Isaacson is a Musk fanboy.

[@18_rabbit]

@@MauricioGonzalezFilms yep, who apparently just used his Twitter/X to not prevent stoking of false stories and racial hatred organizing in the UK, which was ready to go so fast, in a historic scale set of events. Musk is becoming an enemy of basic civil order and when u look at his buddies ideas they've been talking about for over a decade, from Thiel to others i'm forgetting atm, they're crazy anarcho-libertarians

[@SteveBrant55]

@@kesart8378 I did not know Walter wrote a biography on Musk. Now, I see it came out just about one year ago. I'm reluctant to call Walter a "fanboy". This overview of Musk's story (from the Amazon listing) is quite eye-opening. I think it helps to understand what an incredibly damaged person Elon Musk is (thanks to his horrendous childhood).This does not excuse Musk. He's still tremendously dangerous. But it helps me, at least, understand the root cause of the threat we face from him. And - just as understanding Trump's psychology helps construct a campaign that will succeed in beating him in November, I personally believe the story of Musk's childhood might give us a way to fight him eventually... maybe. Here's what Amazon says about the book... When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist. His father’s impact on his psyche would linger. He developed into a tough yet vulnerable man-child, prone to abrupt Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings, with an exceedingly high tolerance for risk, a craving for drama, an epic sense of mission, and a maniacal intensity that was callous and at times destructive. At the beginning of 2022-after a year marked by SpaceX launching thirty-one rockets into orbit, Tesla selling a million cars, and him becoming the richest man on earth-Musk spoke ruefully about his compulsion to stir up dramas. “I need to shift my mindset away from being in crisis mode, which it has been for about fourteen years now, or arguably most of my life,” he said. It was a wistful comment, not a New Year’s resolution. Even as he said it, he was secretly buying up shares of Twitter, the world’s ultimate playground. Over the years, whenever he was in a dark place, his mind went back to being bullied on the playground. Now he had the chance to own the playground. For two years, Isaacson shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries. The result is the revealing inside story, filled with amazing tales of triumphs and turmoil, that addresses the question: are the demons that drive Musk also what it takes to drive innovation and progress?

[@B_Estes_Undegöetz]

So why is almost every genius commenting here and applauding this CIA funded shill Applebaum who blames every other country in the world for the worlds problems including we presume the US’s? She’s an idiot. PBS is showing a dramatic lurch rightward having this vapid yammering mouthpiece on here.

[@wjhrazorsedge76]

Anne Applebaum thank you for your books. I ordered Autrocracy Inc. & read it. I went to my public library & found your book "Iron Curtain". So important.

[@trancemuter]

and Orban!!!

[@renee-mariekrugkrug3989]

What an appropriate name for this study. I am reading "Autocracy Inc.," by Pullizer Prize winning Author Anne Applebaum. All true and an ominious warning. for the Unite States.

[@jeremyblank8590]

How many autocracies do we fight and how many do we support? Do we do this for a ideological fight or to be self-serving? Or is she just saying attack uncooperative autocracies?

[@SailorRxx]

Anne Applebaum thank you

[@Kasiawalasek]

Lovely Lady. Incredible knowledge.

[@charlesdenman9052]

It is horrifying to me that nearly half of America support Trump. That might signal the end of us.

[@tempejkl]

Horrifying to me that any American could still support capitalism, whether trump or Kamala. Funny, when Trump’s support drops, he just uses communist language to appeal to the people. When Kamala’s does she calls him Hitler.

[@paulmorris8361]

I think it's more like only half of eligible people actually vote, and half of those support him, so it's closer to a quarter of America (sadly that's still a lot). Hopefully many of those who usually don't vote *might* vote this time.

[@SailorGerry]

​​@@paulmorris8361 In the 2020 election, the total turn-out of eligible voters, that actually voted was approx. 66%. Strangely enough, those states (and regions) that tended to support Trump, the voter turnout was less, being about 54% for Alabama and only about 50% for Texas. The problem in the US electoral process, is the Electoral College, which often, does not reflect voter intentions in outcome. Trump won 306 Electoral College votes in 2016, yet Hillary Clinton garnered the larger percentage of the popular vote, in excess of 3.9 million votes. Certainly a skewed system that is in need of overhaul.

[@simonfisher2239]

@@SailorGerry The very low 50% turnout for Texas in 2016 might reflect heavy gerrymandering, where most people know their vote can not change the outcome for the legislature or judges. If TX's presidential & Senate votes were also solidly predictable that leaves little to vote for.

[@moonmunster]

Autocrats are great unless they are after you.

[@nfpnone8248]

[Article. IV. Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.] Autocracy is not a Republican Form of Government!

[@18_rabbit]

yes, republican as in self-rule as in self-determination, as in democracy

[@nfpnone8248]

@@18_rabbit Absolutely NOT!!! Republican has nothing to do with self-rule or self determination, and neither does democracy. And you are confusing the equality of person with the equality of participation! And it’s not self rule, or majority rule, it’s majority consensus, and ALL must PARTICIPATE in the legislative process, either directly or through representation, and ALL must VOTE to reach a Majority Consensus of ALL assembled as a LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY! “A Democracy” is a legislative assembly, “A Republican Form of Government”, “Democracy”, “Simple Republic”, and “Confederated Republic”, a confederation of republics, are how the legislative assembly is formed and how it functions, and “Consensus Choice” is the legislative process which governs how a majority consensus is reached in a legislative assembly to reach a majority consensus. All must participate as equals in the legislative assembly, All those assembled in the legislative assembly must vote to reach a majority consensus of ALL that are assembled as a legislative assembly. Democratic and Republican Forms of Government are based upon equal participation and equal suffrage to reach a majority consensus to make collective decisions!

[@simonfisher2239]

This may be of limited use in practice, as practical autocracies often retain the form of eg a democratic republic. See Russia, Hungary, Turkey, and likely US under a Project 2025 administration eg Trump or worse, Vance.

[@nfpnone8248]

@@simonfisher2239 First, there is no such thing as a democratic republic! Second, the United States is required to assemble congress as a Republican Form of Government, we cannot ever be an autocracy, as an autocracy is not a republican form of government! And lastly, project 2025 is treason as it is an offense against the United States, which is the united States, in congress assembled, which is the Union, and every civil officer takes an oath of office to support the assembly of the Union in a congress as established by the Constitution of the United States. The only question is; how do we determine that our government is properly assembled and properly operated as established by the Constitution of the United States? And yes, there is only one answer, and yes, it is also established in the Constitution of the United States!

[@nfpnone8248]

@@simonfisher2239 This is not a suggestion, it is a requirement! There is no such thing as a democratic republic! Our Governing system can Only be a Republican Form of Government assembled in a Congress. Project 2025 is treason as it is not in support of the Union of the States assembled in a congress, it’s an attempt to circumvent the assembly and operation of the Union as established by the Constitution of the United States!

[@e.458]

Just remember that America's moral high ground was never as high as its aspirational high ground. And it has been eroding quite a bit.

[@nathanngumi8467]

Great episode!

[@healingbrain]

Ann Applebaum was interviewed a few times recently but Walter Isaacson interviews in a manner that bring out the best in her. I understand more from her, due to his excellent interview skills. One such brilliant question at 14:25 and Applebaum's surprisingly sound explanation.

[@michellebenson5589]

14:25 ?? are you referring to what Navalny was saying about not so much about Democracy, but THEFT. And Putin got scared. That's what sTrumph is afraid of..having to pay up on all those years of THEFT, and he doesn't want to lose it.

[@leejones5344]

Republicans want The Handmaids Tale. One of the best series I've ever watched

[@christinecamley]

Superb interview. Thank you so much!

[@davidk1493]

“I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, ‘This is genius.’ Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine - of Ukraine - Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful,” Trump said in a radio interview with “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.” “He used the word ‘independent’ and ‘we’re gonna go out and we’re gonna go in and we’re gonna help keep peace.’ You gotta say that’s pretty savvy.”

[@jamesmf968]

I’m happy to see Anne Applebaum making the rounds so much these days, she has some of the more interesting takes among the commentariat.

[@tempejkl]

Are you joking? She’s a CIA outlet

[@thomasjamison2050]

The motto 'money talks and nobody walks' has long dominated in the Halls of Congress.

[@theeviljames]

As a lay person in this field, it appears naive to me to say that Saudi Arabia doesn't want to disrupt American politics - although I'll admit they are not as explicit. I'll have to check out the book so I can better understand the distinction between the openly hostile and the seemingly, occassionally hostile countries

[@apollointhedark5758]

2300 years ago. In his book "Politics" Aristotle predicted that Democracies turn to rule by Oligarchs and this is what has happened to the USA

[@waldlaeuferinunterwegs6841]

15:56 VERY GOOD QUESTION thank you - it's essential to recognize this.

[@andreahanson-cruz1556]

Bought the book yesterday. Can’t wait to read it.

[@apollointhedark5758]

@apollointhedark5758 0 seconds ago The entire world knows that America is no Democracy. America is a Oligarchy that is ruled by super wealthy corporate Tyrants. Just look at all the crime, poverty and all the violence in America. The Greed of the Tyrants has destroyed the uSA.

[@gracevalentine1666]

Thank you - the kleptocracy on the microcosm fuels all sorts of family court actions - the secrecy, the targeting of scapegoats to hide theft- same stuff of despair - as it is above ….

[@johnlaudenslager706]

Some things seem always with us: gods, autocrats, for those who need them.

[@phuzzywuzzyabear]

Evil makes happiness look stupid and corrupts beauty.

[@mikeklein4949]

Their shared ideology is supporting autocrats. Autocracies are personality driven so autocrats as individuals see it in their personal interests to support each other, no matter what ideological brand they choose to cloak themselves with.

[@mikeklein4949]

Opacity - absolutely critical to the ongoing support and/or acceptance of systemic failure to deliver participatory democracy that shows us we do or do not "own" our government and our economic systems, each of us as individual participating actors.

[@archibaldtuttle8481]

We are at a point that is reflective of America around 1890. Everyone has lost a bit of the grip on the influence they parade around with. The entire point of actual cash is to invoke freedom of choice. The more you got --> the more you got. We are also in a time ( a long time ) when governments, when they function, tend towards reactionary ineffectiveness. Truly big money has always been extra-national and para-ethnic. Corporations are one way how these notional entities are dressed. These sorts of entities have been, for a few cases, with us for many centuries. We see the same pattern in other institutions. The institution takes on a life of its own -- and a will -- and an intent. These are lethargic and slow adaptive *orgs* that self program and revise their own goals with mixed autonomy that outlive the poeple who first "coined" them. These are the Artificial Intelligences we have been living with for a very long time. We pit them against each other. One of these is a government that represents itself more than its constituents. This is what happens when you delegate the directing of the world you live in.

[@iainmackenzieUK]

When we get scared we look for Daddy to save us. We are often unlucky (or naive) in our choice of Father figures.

[@reidwhitton6248]

What choice? There are no father figures. Voters need to grow up and educate themselves. Turn off the corporate propaganda news and start reading.

[@leannevandekew1996]

Trump has never attacked Putin. Trump has attacked virtually all democratic politicians. Putin is so grateful that he sent Trump a jar of hummus for Christmas: it's made of Russian chick pea.

[@CarlGerhardt1]

Putin didn't cause any trouble when Donald Trump was President.

[@leannevandekew1996]

@@CarlGerhardt1 President Donald Trump entered the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, urging his fellow members to re-admit Russia to the group, from which it had been expelled in 2014. Other G-7 members gave the idea a cool reception.

[@leannevandekew1996]

@@CarlGerhardt1 Trump took Russia’s side when the conflict began.

[@leannevandekew1996]

@@CarlGerhardt1 Within weeks, Trump praised Putin for how he handled the takeover of Crimea and predicted that “the rest of Ukraine will fall … fairly quickly.” Echoing Kremlin propaganda,

[@leannevandekew1996]

@@CarlGerhardt1 In the cult of personality, believing in Putin's lies is how Trump shows his loyalty.

[@BobQuigley]

The violence we inflict on the world particularly since September 11 has come home to roost. Ms Applebaum has been a cheerleader for war over diplomacy for many years. Founders warned no democratic Republic can survive a permanently standing army. Every sporting event is chock full of jets flags military symbolism. Our State Department operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of War Incorporated, America's #1 export is death and destruction. Note that our allies in the non-stop warfare are also in decline. UK is unrecognizable. Germany is tilting further to the right as the provoked war in Ukraine (yes Putin is a War criminal no different than Bush) is undermining the economy. Japan's population down for 15 years straight is also struggling. We must have peace. There's 8 billion precious humans. We must address civilization threatening climate catastrophes.

[@mandanamostofi]

I was about to make a comment, highlighting the hypocritical nature of Ms. Applebaum's statements in this interview, especially when it comes to the US international policies and impact. But this comment, truly highlighted things I couldn't. Thank you so much for sharing your argument so respectfully and highlighting the stark contradictions in this interview with the global reality of American Imperialism, including US disruption of democratic processes in other countries. I sincerely respect all the individuals in this interview and those journalists in the background that made it happen, however, I find this type of argument inherently problematic for democracy as it assumes a moral High Ground

[@kevinjenner9502]

She makes no bones about agitating for conflict rather than diplomacy. With associates such as Frum/Kristol/ Kagan/ Bolton/ Bush/Cheney, I would expect no less from her.

[@thosethatcan]

13:33 * reminds me of FLORIDA, U.S.. How during COVID 19 quarantine, the trvmp gov of FL added a tax on " online purchasing - ? And about Rebekah Jones and all..🕵🏽👏🏽✍🏽

[@meddylad]

lol.... this is a spoof video right...? I mean, she cant be serious surely?

[@alfredorezende-po8pg]

we can not stand the each other anymore.

[@nicnic1981]

Hey republican voter. Please select which type of republican voter: A) Household income over $400,000 per year and the Estate Tax Limitation of $13,600,000 will impact you when mommy or daddy dies B) The portion of monthly income spent on gas for your oversized truck meets or exceeds your monthly expense on housing

[@mikemendoza3500]

I make much less than $400000 and I drive a Civic. 😂

[@nicnic1981]

@@mikemendoza3500 So what's tRump gonna do to benefit you? Here's a bit of the Harris plan: Control over what you do with your body. No cuts to Social Security, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Veterans Care. Paid training for increased skills at better paying jobs. More jobs. More better paying jobs. Hope for you and your family.

[@normm1619]

A: yes…..two things can be true at the same time….

[@nicnic1981]

@@mikemendoza3500 be prepared for more taxes and less freedoms if smelly tRump wins

[@kesart8378]

With respect, I am unclear as to the point the commenter is attempting to make. Too much is left to inference, or guesswork.

[@normm1619]

Maduro better get used to Moscow winters….

[@michellebenson5589]

Putin is his supplier of mercenaries, hit men and anything else Putin uses to keep in power...we are watching a once, very rich and democratic country, get gutted by Maduro and his henchmen. Look what he is doing to stay in power. THAT! IS WHAT TRUMP WAS TRYING TO DO IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

[@funface4]

Excellent. She did an awesome job of clarifying why we should be concerned about dictators and autocrats because they seek to undermine countries that stand by the rule of law, freedom of the people and speech and the rights of individuals. This should ring a bell in every American what could happen here if we do vote for a Democratic President who believes in these values instead of a person like Trump who aligns with autocratic narcissist dictatorship.

[@apollointhedark5758]

@apollointhedark5758 0 seconds ago The entire world knows that America is no Democracy. America is a Oligarchy that is ruled by super wealthy corporate Tyrants. Just look at all the crime, poverty and all the violence in America. The Greed of the Tyrants has destroyed the uSA.

[@johndillon9791]

Let's not be the next dictator nation. vote for Kamla Harris

[@totonow6955]

Hum. Some people are on the list and some are not.

[@lulup1029]

Ma 'man! Just remember! Human riights don't grow on trees, unlike lynchings, not too long ago!! How easily we forget and blindly follow! Most of us are minorities and women's lives are on the line!! Vote for Harris! At least you'll get another chance down the line to change your mind!

[@alfredorezende-po8pg]

we forgot that the other legitimate ourself.

[@travcat756]

"Democracy is divisive & degenerate" I guess that could come under the heading: There's no such thing as a free lunch Call it the D list

[@alfredorezende-po8pg]

Not only America, but the entire human race. Why!! we became a materialist race

[@michaelvaladez6570]

This element of conversation the directness upsets the person of the uninformed and uneducated upends their consciousness..they don't want to believe it or hear it. Its easier to believe in lies..controversies .

[@andy2box]

Our democracy is transparent? Has this lady not heard of Assange and Snowdon ????

[@DavidS-m8o]

Call it what it is fascism. That’s what this country is becoming. That and a police state and stop trying to put a happy face on everything. This country $ucks.

[@loneranger4469]

Her description fits the Globalists in the WEF to a T...😂

[@JosephHuether]

The United States has historically run hot / cold in working with dictatorships when it suited our interests…or suited what a given administration thought was in the best interests geopolitically. When it comes to access to fossil fuels, we will do backflips to “accommodate” authoritarian regimes. And Make no mistake…fossil fuels are still the “coin of the realm” Internationally…and it doesn’t mean jack that the USA is self-sufficient from a fossil fuel standpoint. We have critical international assets that aren’t. In the 1930’s, prior to the start of WW2 virtually all major banks in the New York and London that loaned out money internationally were Fascism-friendly.

[@christinamuzzu6414]

Thank you for this insight; I would like to learn more about it. What kind of international assets do you mean?

[@Eileen139]

hello please include cc'ing please -- thank you!

[@arthernandez2028]

Only ideology is greed.

[@srmillard]

I ❤ AA

[@lewisjohnson8297]

Now, think about Trump's villainization of Venezuela! There has been an election and Maduro lost. That "should" be of interest to the U.S.! Habitual villainization would not seem to be a prudent path!

[@usaerospace6707]

Excessive wealth is the roots of all evil. I could lose $10 bucks and not be able to buy lunch. Elon Musk could lose ten million and wouldn't know it was gone.

[@thosethatcan]

Fossil fueled vs EV , solar wind ❤🎉 secular education n peace.

[@JohnAranita]

Unfortunately still the Soviet Union, yes??

[@Pou1gie1]

There is opposing news from non-mainstream news outlets stating that the opposition to Maduro was pro-Zionist and pro-Israel, so this is why the US wanted Maduro ousted. It wouldn't be the first time Europeans were interfering with other countries for power and resources. Venezuela has a lot of oil, and the US and other Western countries want to control who has access to oil and how that oil is distributed. It is important to stay open-minded and not just believe whatever the masses tell you.

[@18_rabbit]

oh puuulease! VZ is one of a kind in worst possible society/systems on earth for a country with a decent sized economy/gdp! You are spewing utter nonsense! You are clearly confused about what whose priorities are. VZ is the biggest destabilizing entity in the hemisphere and is one of the top four countries on earth which destablilize other countries nearby and worldwide!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE americans have an interest in stopping the flow of criminals, transit goods on black market etc etc. Plus there's the moral factor which is massive adn then some

[@dukeversewalker8962]

I thought she was going to discuss the US political system. She's just another warmonger

[@kevinjenner9502]

John Bolton in drag.

[@weinbergfahrer4048]

That would sound like an interesting poll: Should the US give up democracy in favor of a pseudo-monarchy?

[@kesart8378]

With respect, I would counsel against leading people to equate monarchical rule with autocratic rule. Cheers

[@marshalmaddening9011]

via plutocracy

[@tommcfadden5232]

A society run by billionaires….Hmm. Sounds like Anne is describing the US.

[@tempejkl]

Yep

[@t_khon_o]

Not trying to justify it, but isn’t autocracy a result of crisis of democracy and structure of global economy? Yes, responsibility is on Putin and Ping and the rest, but is there in fact an example of democracy at work in idealized form that is suggested? Doesn’t current capitalism itself see democracy as a predicament rather an aid? It seems that it is a factor although I myself wouldn’t use the example argument.

[@tempejkl]

Capitalism and democracy and mutually exclusive

[@t_khon_o]

@@tempejkl Well if it is considered that poor deserve to be poor, and rich deserve to be rich - there’s not much of hope to be found.

[@tempejkl]

@@t_khon_o Ah, that is the American view of the world. It’s sad really..

[@t_khon_o]

@@tempejkl Yes, but think not only American. Neoliberalism is a global phenomenon originating in Vienna for all I know. I agree that it is impossible to equate capitalism with democracy. Just as much as autocracy with sovereignty and independence

[@ld4974]

"When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross" -Sinclair Lewis

[@regulastampfli7171]

Brilliant. I am always surprised though how little she says about the new Iran- Russia Connection. Because she does not want to loose the left on the issue of Israel?

[@tempejkl]

Don’t be surprised about anything, she’s a cia propaganda outlet. She’s the bane of my existence, trying to study Soviet history and shes ALWAYS the source

[@inakale]

this needs context, like human rights but not for Palestinians. like American military contractors wavers to get Chinese and Russian supply. painful to watch brilliant scholar presenting such a black and white picture.

[@ronkirk5099]

We don't need an autocrat, never did. What we need is money out of political campaigns so the playing field is leveled so leaders who are actually looking out for the common good have a chance at getting elected with more grassroots and less Madison Ave. slick schtick.

[@elizabethcarolan1409]

Self appointed aristocracy

[@e.458]

Well the historic aristocracy had appointed itself (quite violently) at some point in the past, too.

[@elizabethcarolan1409]

@@e.458 Ya... and we're all becoming serfs.

[@isabelelicer9336]

Why rich Arab Countries are left unbothered 🤔

[@kgblankinship]

Applebaum was a hard-core Reaganite type before she went to Poland. Not exactly a pro-democracy kind of politics but more corporate authoritarian.

[@JohnAranita]

In PBS we trust.

[@michaelpilgrim8131]

Anne Applebaum, you gotta put me on

[@JacobStein1960]

Cold War 2.0. Some things never change.

[@davidwilkie9551]

The best qualified person other than Elon to deliver some factual information to Anne, is Walter. A short list of actual achievements that do not correspond with her accusations and do tell the opposite story would be recommended, because so far he has reliable reports such as Walter's to tell the facts about the record amount of taxation paid, the restoration of US advances in technology and employment bringing wealth to citizens who compete to have employment opportunities in his industries. A cynical observer might think that Anne's approach to make disinformation statements serve the actual autocracy of fossil fuel Military Industrial Complexes playing their "Great Game" of Forever War. She is very incautious in her comments.

[@markboland1181]

She has no problem with oligarchy..Larry Fink,….et al.

[@MosmMAli]

Israe,uae d not forget

[@RS-uh7rz]

I wonder why Anne repeatedly makes brief glances to her left side.

[@kevinjenner9502]

Red Scare/Yellow Peril

[@michellebenson5589]

SHE'S THINKING?

[@andrzejprzytacz3426]

in my opinion Anne Appelbaum is not a woman this is a man😮