Masha Gessen: Surviving Autocracy

In the run-up to the 2016 election, The New Yorker's Masha Gessen stood out from other journalists for calling out the significance of Donald Trump’s speech and behavior, unprecedented in a national candidate. Within 48 hours of his victory, Gessen's essay “Autocracy: Rules for Survival” had gone viral, and Gessen’s coverage of Trump’s norm-breaking presidency became important reading for a citizenry struggling to wrap their heads around the unimaginable.
Thanks to the unique perspective from a childhood in the Soviet Union and two decades covering the resurgence of totalitarianism in Russia, Gessen has a sixth sense for signs of autocracy-and the unique cross-cultural fluency to delineate its emergence to Americans. Now, as the 2020 race takes shape, their new book Surviving Autocracy provides an indispensable overview of what Gessen views as the calamitous trajectory of the past few years.
Join us for a conversation with one of our leading journalists as they highlight the dangers of complacency and how America can forge a new path forward.
Speakers:
Masha Gessen
Staff Writer, The New Yorker; Author, Surviving Autocracy; Twitter @mashagessen
In Conversation with Andrea Bernstein
Senior Editor, WNYC; Co-Host, “Trump Inc”; Author, American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power; Twitter @AndreaWNYC
Become a Member: www.commonwealthclub.org/memb...

[@micheled6111]

I think Masha is the smartest woman ever for seeing the big picture and explaining it clearly to the lay person. Thank you!

[@juliadixon8465]

Smartest person--Masha is NB and answers to "they"

[@nessunodorme3888]

The best way to interview Masha Gessen would be to let her talk as much as possible. The things she's talking about are not things we already know.

[@elaineburnett5230]

Smart observation.

[@joeblow5087]

The interviewer talks too much.

[@kbone8137]

Almost exactly a year ago today, and Masha Gessen's ideas have played out almost verbatim. As a young society that has grown accustomed to things "just working", we need to take heed of such insights and prepare accordingly.

[@ronaldronald8819]

Why did i not hear of Masha Gessen before. This is enlightening and frightening at the same time. Gone read "Surviving Autocracy"

[@ravipeiris4388]

Amazing conversation, thank you.

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jakelabete7412]

It's always a pleasure and a lesson to listen to Ms Gessen.

[@livingintheforest3963]

Just bought all Three of her current books including this one so glad I found this on KZbin!

[@user-mk9hv8sl5p]

just read "The Man Without A Face" a devastating account of putin's rise to power.

[@livingintheforest3963]

Starting it!!! And it’s February 2022 after Ukraine invasion.

[@meh8982]

@@livingintheforest3963 It's an important book to read anytime. I read it some years before the Trump presidency and it certainly helped me understand everything that happened between that person and Putin at the time. Also made Trump very understandable since he's just a dumber would-be Putin.

[@davidanderson9664]

Funny - I'm a huge Masha fan but I'd never though about where she lives. Maybe I imagined she lived in an igloo perched atop a tree house? I don't know, but now I do. She's excellent where ever she lives. Thank you. D.A., J.D., NYC

[@danitacrouse1834]

Thank you for sharing your shows!

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

`Virtual' program? Looks like a genuine, real, normal program to me.

[@mmm5030]

Would be interesting to see how her thoughts have changed.

[@garyvlahos635]

Shes highly overrated ... Another pseudo-intellect who cashed in on the Trump Derangement Syndrome which the lefties thirst over .

[@joeblow5087]

Why would her thoughts change? Trump inciting insurrection on January 6th was worse than most imagined.

[@chrisg307]

Masha's microphone inadequacy was a distraction for the listener. Seems Commonwealth would arrange better. But thanks very much for the interview. And thanks to Masha for her outlook.

[@NorahADooley]

kak·i·sto·cra·cy /kakəˈstäkrəsē n. government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state.

[@gliceriomercado6696]

Masha y él oso

[@williamavant7537]

Dump Trump, Vote DEMOCRAT

[@steppenwolf3252]

Dump our $$$ in elections and do our own research etc..

[@williamavant7537]

Biden 2020

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

44:00 "Trumpism will end". Greetings from 19 days prior to Nov 3rd. It's looking better.

[@garyvlahos635]

And Biden sends missiles into Syria ... Yup ,all is looking better, and American Jingoism is back baby !

[@steppenwolf3252]

We will only have our democracy if we desire and value it. Bring back Civics Classes for all.

[@juligrlee556]

I prefer the term dictatorship or maybe totalitarianism. This terms have values that are much more negative than authoritarianism. Trump is not authoritative in any way.

[@steppenwolf3252]

He tried. But he didn't have enough Repubs willing to commit crimes too. Next time he may.

[@juligrlee556]

@@steppenwolf3252 Unfortunately you are right. I fear for myself and other lovers of freedom in this country and the world

[@peterthelarge5110]

Omg this was bad

[@steppenwolf3252]

Why buddy? It's a national emergency but we can handle it if we follow our rules (which the Senate refused to do.)

[@joeblow5087]

@@steppenwolf3252 Since the Senate and Republicans refuse to follow the rules, THE RULES WON'T WORK. Therefore, we are not handling it.

[@royalwins2030]

Paranoid fever dreams

[@willmpet]

Can you say that after the events of January 6?

[@steppenwolf3252]

No. There are dreams and there are facts. We need to teach a Civics class to all Americans especially Presidents and politicians. It's spelled out and needs to be respected. There are rules for democracy that must be respected. If you cannot follow them then find employment somewhere else. Plain and simple. Democracy is not a job for everyone. That's the truth. Get $$$ out of our elections.