In this episode, Ryan talks to Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat about her book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present, and the contemporary history of authoritarianism. Ruth begins by defining authoritarianism and the subset known as "strongman" rule. She then tracks the emergence of this phenomenon, beginning with Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini, noting the ways in which these leaders come to power. The conversation proceeds with the tools of strongman rule and how modern authoritarians, such as Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin, remain in power. The episode concludes with the ways in which authoritarians fall and Ruth's perspective on the future.
To learn more, check out Ruth's website (ruthbenghiat.com) and
subscribe to her substack (lucid.substack.com).