104. Warning Signs of Authoritarianism

Here's the goal of this episode: to give you a practical framework for recognizing the patterns that can weaken a democracy before the answer becomes obvious.

Because these days, authoritarianism often doesn't arrive with tanks in the streets or a coup. Often it develops gradually, through elections, legal changes, weakened institutions, and leaders who argue that the normal rules are getting in the way. In this episode, we look at warning signs of authoritarianism through stories from Peru, France, the Philippines, Venezuela, and more.

Using a framework from political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, we’ll explore four questions you can ask of any political leader, along with ideas from Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Anne Applebaum, Sergei Guriev, Daniel Treisman, and Timothy Snyder.

Books mentioned:How Democracies Die — Steven Levitsky & Daniel ZiblattStrongmen — Ruth Ben-GhiatSpin Dictators — Sergei Guriev & Daniel TreismanTwilight of Democracy — Anne ApplebaumAutocracy, Inc. — Anne ApplebaumOn Tyranny — Timothy Snyder

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⁠Sources⁠ used in this episode.

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