Ruth Ben-Ghiat: Recognizing Signs of Authoritarianism

In this wide-ranging interview, celebrated historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat reveals how today’s right-wing populists–from Modhi to Duterte, Trump to Putin–are following a playbook originally crafted by Italian fascists a century ago.

From Hungary to India to the United States, liberal democracies are under threat from reactionary populists. With slogans of virality and violence, a new generation of strongmen are coming to power by railing against immigrants, outsiders, and other marginalized groups. NYU historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat argues that there’s nothing new about their tactics and rhetoric. She contends that today’s would-be strongmen are following a template forged by fascists in the early 20th century. She also argues that the only force that can save democracy are the forces that saved it before massive, pro-democratic social movements for justice.

Keywords: Putin, Mussolini, Trump, Netanyahu, liberalism, authoritarianism, social movements, fascism, toxic masculinity, democracy, conservatism.

Professor Ben-Ghiat is the spring 2023 Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

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Public lecture: • Strongmen: How Illiberal Leaders Cons...
Sponsored by the Department of American Studies in the College of Arts, Languages & Letters and the William S. Richardson School of Law