I actually have a question rather than a comment. I after reading your post I followed the linked to your earlier post "When Exiles Become Targets". I know the situations I am going to describe is somewhat different than in your essay. However I was wondering if the United States attempts to extradite Julian Assange and Anwar Nassar al-Awaki's assassination by a drone strike during the Obama administration would fall under the same category as the human targets you wrote about. I should also mention that Anwar Nassar al-Awaki's 16 year old son Abdulrabman al Awlaki was killed by a drone strike under Obama and his 8 year old daughter Nawar al-Awlaki was killed in raid on Al Qaeda ordered by Donald Trump. I'm thinking that perhaps even in a political reality where there is a beginning fascism is in a less obvious form the same methods to silence those considered enemies of a state are also being practiced. I was wondering what your thoughts are on this matter.
Thank you Ruth. When people ask me about authoritarianism I refer them to you book Strongmen. I feel you provide an intellectual anchor for me. It feels great to know that you are there Ruth.
Your analyses are always spot on and brilliant. I was in college studying political science during the 1960s at Cal, and watched as our world's population over the years has doubled since that time, including the US going from 180 million to 330 million. In the 1960s, the USSR and China had huge populations and were autocratic, and India was large. I wonder if autocrats are more successful when populations are so large that the average democracy partisan cannot compete with autocrats who seek to control nations, esp. if the latter have financing and media backing, large armies to jail resisters, etc. I once felt somewhat empowered as an individual, and now do not. Have you ever correlated the mere population of nations with the growth of autocracy, as powerless people give in to propaganda, lies, of non-democratic movements, leaders?
Interesting question. Robert Paxton Anatomy of Fascism says that in the proto-fascist era in France the themes of fascism emerged as the population grew and political parties were compelled to appeal to the largest slice of the electorate to be competitive. So that some data point
That is part of my point (thank you for yours). Since I'm retired, I have the time to sit down with population numbers, which nations have autocrats/despots, and do some math. Also -- and I love this -- from a study, the "happiest people", thus not in need of authoritarian gov'ts as much, are: island nations, small nations (Luxembourg), or those small in population and geographical area.
Thank you for the clarity of your writing. I look forward to every Lucid essay. Making the authoritarian mind accessible is essential to defending democracy. Brava!
THANKS Dr Ben-Ghiat for your insightful commentaries!
You may be interested in more on charismatic (especially narcissistic) leadership and the group attempting to put some boundaries in governance through an "Oath of Responsible Leadership" -see the LinkedIn pages we’ve established- see: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13803512
I read all the hyperlinked articles in your highlights Lucid Archive, except those from the New York Times, which I am not allowed to read, because I won't subscribe. I am so grateful for your voice out in the world. I deeply appreciate groups like Free Speech for People who are challenging insurrectionists in Arizona, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and Mark Finchem, as well as three in Wisconsin, including Senator Ron Johnson. In solidarity with you and the Lucid community!
I found your quote from Badiucao very inspiring: “I would say my personal hero is Sisyphus.. it seems like what I'm doing is always censored and taken down...But the very action of an individual who keeps trying in the right direction has its own value, regardless of the result. I'm making art not just to potentially trigger a change, but to have a record of formal protest or resistance." Sometimes that’s what we feel like too.. but that image helps us to keep on keeping on. Thank you for your work.
Thank you for everything you do and write. I don't always comment but I always read and find the essays and interviews enlightening and informative.
I'm particularly worried about the effects of propaganda in the US, the rising tide of Qanon craziness, white nationalism and religious zealotry. And the continuous amplification of the messaging even by mainstream journalists. The recent case of the Texas woman charged with murder after a miscarriage is a telling sign. The blowback was significant and ultimately charges were dropped but this is just the beginning. Turns out Atwoods's novel, The Handmaid's Tale, was far more prescient than most of us realized.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and subsequent propaganda coming out of Russia, too, should offer a roadmap on how bad things can get when reportedly 83% of the Russian populace is buying into and supporting Putin's wholesale carnage. It's hard to get a handle on that support whether it's solid or made under duress, the threat of the police showing at the door. But still. And then, there's the runoff election in France with Putin's fangirl within striking distance.
Whew! Whatta year. And it's only April.
Very dicey, dark times we're a-living. Thank you for lighting the footpath.
Agree. When I read the 83% figure, I only hope we can jointly work to educate our populace quickly, without harshness on the different governance types and the consequences which can be dire.
Thank you Ruth for having the ability to digest past history and present actions and being able to extrapolate that to what could easily happen in the future. That takes some vision.
What I find to most stunning about the rise of authoritarian movements, is the public's inability to detect the serious psychological flaws in their heros. Psychopathy and sociopathy are hiding in plain sight in most authortarian leaders. Followers see these leaders as perfectly normal, so down the rabbit hole they go. Trump is but one example of this but there are many more.
The Princess Ivanka illustration is priceless, even funny, except when you realize the Trump crime family, 15 months after leaving the White House, has gotten away with absolutely everything – and still hasn't been charged with a felony or even a misdemeanor. The joke, evidently, is on us.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat deserves our collective gratitude for keeping a spotlight on the continuing authoritarian threats to democracy, in our own country as well as elsewhere. She's a national treasure. But whether a sufficient number of Americans heed her warnings is very much an open question. In the aftermath of January 6, the seditionists and insurrectionists are doubling down.
Thanks Ruth, you have done and are doing a great job with you book. the articles and the TV appearances but somehow the message is not landing with voters and senior politicians , Democrats in particular as I don't hear them talking about it as much as is needed and GOP seems to be increasingly in complete denial.......don't give up though!!!..... Dems seem to be afraid to call out the GOP for what they say and do, seemingly because of free speech concerns. Well, free speech indeed is essential but an essential part of free speech is freedom of opinion, freedom of debate and accountability for what one says. The latter is increasingly missing. Media seem to focus on reporting what is being said (for a good headline) but hardly ever challenge the speaker. The recent "moral red line"interview with McConnell was a refreshing exception....
Thank you so much for sharing your great knowledge with us through your writings and your Friday ZOOM meetings. I discovered you by reading ‘Strongmen’ and then searching to read/hear more from you. A very happy 1 year anniversary👍❤️ I very much look forward to continuing to hear your voice.
Dear Professor -Ben-Ghiat
I actually have a question rather than a comment. I after reading your post I followed the linked to your earlier post "When Exiles Become Targets". I know the situations I am going to describe is somewhat different than in your essay. However I was wondering if the United States attempts to extradite Julian Assange and Anwar Nassar al-Awaki's assassination by a drone strike during the Obama administration would fall under the same category as the human targets you wrote about. I should also mention that Anwar Nassar al-Awaki's 16 year old son Abdulrabman al Awlaki was killed by a drone strike under Obama and his 8 year old daughter Nawar al-Awlaki was killed in raid on Al Qaeda ordered by Donald Trump. I'm thinking that perhaps even in a political reality where there is a beginning fascism is in a less obvious form the same methods to silence those considered enemies of a state are also being practiced. I was wondering what your thoughts are on this matter.
Sincerely,
Frank
Wow. Thank you for this. Excellent resource.
Thank you for the archive.
Thank you Ruth. When people ask me about authoritarianism I refer them to you book Strongmen. I feel you provide an intellectual anchor for me. It feels great to know that you are there Ruth.
Your analyses are always spot on and brilliant. I was in college studying political science during the 1960s at Cal, and watched as our world's population over the years has doubled since that time, including the US going from 180 million to 330 million. In the 1960s, the USSR and China had huge populations and were autocratic, and India was large. I wonder if autocrats are more successful when populations are so large that the average democracy partisan cannot compete with autocrats who seek to control nations, esp. if the latter have financing and media backing, large armies to jail resisters, etc. I once felt somewhat empowered as an individual, and now do not. Have you ever correlated the mere population of nations with the growth of autocracy, as powerless people give in to propaganda, lies, of non-democratic movements, leaders?
Interesting question. Robert Paxton Anatomy of Fascism says that in the proto-fascist era in France the themes of fascism emerged as the population grew and political parties were compelled to appeal to the largest slice of the electorate to be competitive. So that some data point
That is part of my point (thank you for yours). Since I'm retired, I have the time to sit down with population numbers, which nations have autocrats/despots, and do some math. Also -- and I love this -- from a study, the "happiest people", thus not in need of authoritarian gov'ts as much, are: island nations, small nations (Luxembourg), or those small in population and geographical area.
Thank you for the clarity of your writing. I look forward to every Lucid essay. Making the authoritarian mind accessible is essential to defending democracy. Brava!
Thank you Ruth.
THANKS Dr Ben-Ghiat for your insightful commentaries!
You may be interested in more on charismatic (especially narcissistic) leadership and the group attempting to put some boundaries in governance through an "Oath of Responsible Leadership" -see the LinkedIn pages we’ve established- see: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13803512
and also our Substack pages = LEADERSHIPconcerns@substack.com
Best wishes for a safe & happy Pass-over!
Sincerely
Dr Colin Sharp -subscriber.
I read all the hyperlinked articles in your highlights Lucid Archive, except those from the New York Times, which I am not allowed to read, because I won't subscribe. I am so grateful for your voice out in the world. I deeply appreciate groups like Free Speech for People who are challenging insurrectionists in Arizona, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and Mark Finchem, as well as three in Wisconsin, including Senator Ron Johnson. In solidarity with you and the Lucid community!
I found your quote from Badiucao very inspiring: “I would say my personal hero is Sisyphus.. it seems like what I'm doing is always censored and taken down...But the very action of an individual who keeps trying in the right direction has its own value, regardless of the result. I'm making art not just to potentially trigger a change, but to have a record of formal protest or resistance." Sometimes that’s what we feel like too.. but that image helps us to keep on keeping on. Thank you for your work.
Thank you for everything you do and write. I don't always comment but I always read and find the essays and interviews enlightening and informative.
I'm particularly worried about the effects of propaganda in the US, the rising tide of Qanon craziness, white nationalism and religious zealotry. And the continuous amplification of the messaging even by mainstream journalists. The recent case of the Texas woman charged with murder after a miscarriage is a telling sign. The blowback was significant and ultimately charges were dropped but this is just the beginning. Turns out Atwoods's novel, The Handmaid's Tale, was far more prescient than most of us realized.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and subsequent propaganda coming out of Russia, too, should offer a roadmap on how bad things can get when reportedly 83% of the Russian populace is buying into and supporting Putin's wholesale carnage. It's hard to get a handle on that support whether it's solid or made under duress, the threat of the police showing at the door. But still. And then, there's the runoff election in France with Putin's fangirl within striking distance.
Whew! Whatta year. And it's only April.
Very dicey, dark times we're a-living. Thank you for lighting the footpath.
Agree. When I read the 83% figure, I only hope we can jointly work to educate our populace quickly, without harshness on the different governance types and the consequences which can be dire.
Thank you Ruth for having the ability to digest past history and present actions and being able to extrapolate that to what could easily happen in the future. That takes some vision.
What I find to most stunning about the rise of authoritarian movements, is the public's inability to detect the serious psychological flaws in their heros. Psychopathy and sociopathy are hiding in plain sight in most authortarian leaders. Followers see these leaders as perfectly normal, so down the rabbit hole they go. Trump is but one example of this but there are many more.
The Princess Ivanka illustration is priceless, even funny, except when you realize the Trump crime family, 15 months after leaving the White House, has gotten away with absolutely everything – and still hasn't been charged with a felony or even a misdemeanor. The joke, evidently, is on us.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat deserves our collective gratitude for keeping a spotlight on the continuing authoritarian threats to democracy, in our own country as well as elsewhere. She's a national treasure. But whether a sufficient number of Americans heed her warnings is very much an open question. In the aftermath of January 6, the seditionists and insurrectionists are doubling down.
Thanks Ruth, you have done and are doing a great job with you book. the articles and the TV appearances but somehow the message is not landing with voters and senior politicians , Democrats in particular as I don't hear them talking about it as much as is needed and GOP seems to be increasingly in complete denial.......don't give up though!!!..... Dems seem to be afraid to call out the GOP for what they say and do, seemingly because of free speech concerns. Well, free speech indeed is essential but an essential part of free speech is freedom of opinion, freedom of debate and accountability for what one says. The latter is increasingly missing. Media seem to focus on reporting what is being said (for a good headline) but hardly ever challenge the speaker. The recent "moral red line"interview with McConnell was a refreshing exception....
Thank you so much for sharing your great knowledge with us through your writings and your Friday ZOOM meetings. I discovered you by reading ‘Strongmen’ and then searching to read/hear more from you. A very happy 1 year anniversary👍❤️ I very much look forward to continuing to hear your voice.
Thank you for a year of education on autocracy and keeping a positive spin on terrible things. You have been a gift!