83 - Ruth Ben-Ghiat: The Dangerous Rise of Authoritarian Politics83 - Ruth Ben-Ghiat: The Dangerous Rise of Authoritarian Politics
Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota
Ruth Ben-Ghiat discusses the rise of authoritarian politics and the importance of protecting democracy with Dr. Marcia Sirota.
39:38•29 Apr 2021
Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Authoritarianism: Understanding the Threats to Democracy
“The cultish part of authoritarianism starts with the cult of the leader, and there are situations where you don't have one overwhelmingly important leader, like in some of the military juntas or governing councils in the cold war, Latin America, for example, like in Brazil, to give an example, because Bolsonaro, unfortunately he comes from the military and he's always praising the dictatorship right.”
Have you ever wondered how authoritarian leaders rise to power and what makes their influence so dangerous? In this compelling episode of 'Ruthless Compassion', Dr. Marcia Sirota sits down with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat to unpack the dark strategies used by authoritarian figures throughout history. Ruth, a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University, brings her extensive research and insights to the table, discussing her book 'Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present'.
She delves into the authoritarian playbook, highlighting how these leaders manipulate propaganda and foster a cult-like following. Ben-Ghiat also emphasizes the importance of safeguarding democracy and building connections among people to counter these threats. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the mechanisms behind authoritarian regimes and the steps we can take to protect democratic values.
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