Topical Tips: Autocrats and Strongmen

by Damla

autocracy : government by a single person or small group that has unlimited power or authority, or the power or authority of such a person or group

(Cambridge Dictionary)

Looking at the political landscape in the last decade, there is a slow yet steady rise of autocratic governments on a global scale. Although this has been an alarming trend for years, it is a topic that grows more relevant by the day, as we witness an increase in censorship, a greater gap in the power and wealth imbalances, and the growingly aggressive ideological divisions on the daily news and social platforms.

Any form of autocracy (by behavior if not always by name) undoubtedly poses a direct threat to and a violation of personal freedoms, particularly of those in opposition to the rising power and/or in minorities, as well as giving rise to more corruption, and injuring the democratic processes.

And while autocracy might be one way to seize power, so is knowledge. Reading and finding out more about the current events, the nuances of policies, the tactics of political manipulation, and the lesser known details behind the scenes can be great tools to equip against these disturbing trends.

Here are some of our recommendations to get started:

1. Autocracy, Inc. : The Dictators Who Want To Rule The World – Anne Applebaum
A bestseller since its first publication, Applebaum’s Autocracy, Inc. delves into the complexities of modern politics by taking a close look at the rise of autocracies around the world. Although these governments may not always have a common ideology, Applebaum reveals their dangerous networks of propaganda, weapons/technology trade, and money laundering to disrupt and gain control against democratic countries. An extension of her article published in the Atlantic named “The Bad Guys Are Winning,” this book is a gripping guide to decipher the rise of autocracy as well as a call to action to fight against these malicious strategies.

2. How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future – Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
With a wide range of historical examples from around the world, How Democracies Die show the warning signs of how autocratic tendencies can take root in democratic systems and what can be done against it. From 1930s Europe to Venezuela, this book is an educational history lesson and a timely admonition to protect the democratic process.

3. Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century – Daniel Treisman, Sergei Guriev
Number 1 enemy of an autocratic state? Fact checking.
In a new form of authoritarianism in the 21st century, the media in its many forms has become a primary target. The leaders of Russia, Turkey, and Hungary (among other examples) have become experts at manipulating the news to engineer support and squash dissent. With a good balance between history, journalism, and anecdotes, Treisman and Guriev expose the threat that such “spin dictators” pose to democracies, and what can be done in opposition.

4. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century – Timothy Snyder
Another strong bestseller, On Tyranny is a remarkable historical overview that examines how democracies have yielded to tyranny in the past, and how we can avoid making the same mistakes that globally scarred the history of mankind in the 20th century. Hopefully, with the insights that Snyder shares, history need not repeat itself in harmful reverberations.

5. Strongmen: How They Rise, Why They Succeed, How They Fall – Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Looking at tyrannical leaders of the world from Mussolini’s rise to power until our present day, Ruth Ben-Ghiat hopes to shine a beacon of hope against authoritarianism and autocracy by providing an insightful analysis of how they came to be in power, and how they were brought down with solidarity and dignity.
A must-read for history buffs, politics enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about democracy and human rights.

Other titles that might grab your interest:

Discover more on the subject with our highlights list here.