In this Substack Live, David speaks with historian and authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat about about how to interpret the current U.S. political climate through the lens of modern authoritarianism. She explains that democratic backsliding typically unfolds gradually, as leaders hollow out institutions, personalize power, and test the limits of what they can get away with. They discuss concerns about federalizing elections, politicizing law enforcement, and pressuring media and education, while also noting that courts, independent media, and widespread nonviolent resistance remain meaningful checks on executive power.
The conversation also explores the psychology of strongmen, including their obsession with legacy, control over public narratives, and reluctance to tolerate talk of succession or vulnerability. Ben-Ghiat outlines how leaders can become more erratic when facing political setbacks, and why elite defections and civil resistance are critical inflection points. Overall, the discussion frames the coming election cycle as a key test—not just of one individual, but of how resilient American democratic institutions ultimately prove to be.
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