Authoritarianism
Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power — but look more vulnerable than ever
Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power — but look more vulnerable than ever Autocratic leaders in Africa are clinging to power, with Cameroon’s President Paul Biya securing an unprecedented eighth term and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan winning a highly dubious 98% of the presidential vote. The elections were […]
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White nationalism fuels tolerance for political violence nationwide
White nationalism fuels tolerance for political violence nationwide White nationalism has become a significant driver of support for political violence in the United States, posing a substantial danger to the country’s political stability. The study found that nearly half of respondents believed violence would be justified if the government violated citizens’ rights or committed unlawful […]
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Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian – and why that matters for democracy
Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian – and why that matters for democracy Many journalists have been reluctant to call Donald Trump an authoritarian due to concerns about labeling him as such, despite his actions exhibiting key indicators of authoritarian behavior. Trump’s actions, including deploying National Guard troops to cities run by […]
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Authoritarian rulers aren’t new – here’s what Herodotus, an early Greek historian, wrote about them
Authoritarian rulers aren’t new – here’s what Herodotus, an early Greek historian, wrote about them Herodotus, an early Greek historian, wrote about authoritarian rulers thousands of years ago, analyzing the Persian invasion of Greece and its outcome. The Greek victory over Persia was attributed to the fact that many Greek city-states had representative governments, which […]
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The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement
The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests over immigration raids without state approval recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement. President Donald Trump has activated 4,000 National Guard troops and sent […]
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Antagonism to transgender rights is tied to the authoritarian desire for social conformity – not just partisan affiliation
Antagonism to transgender rights is tied to the authoritarian desire for social conformity – not just partisan affiliation A majority of Americans support restricting the rights of transgender Americans, with 53 bills introduced in the U.S. Congress and over 900 bills introduced in 49 states aiming to limit their rights. The support for these measures […]
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Autocrats don’t act like Hitler or Stalin anymore − instead of governing with violence, they use manipulation
Autocrats don’t act like Hitler or Stalin anymore − instead of governing with violence, they use manipulation Modern autocrats use manipulation and spin to gain and maintain power, rather than relying on violence or overt repression. The term “informational autocracy” or “spin dictatorship” describes this approach, where leaders craft an image of competence and democratic […]
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Trump’s aggressive actions against free speech speak a lot louder than his words defending it
Trump’s aggressive actions against free speech speak a lot louder than his words defending it Harvard University has sued the Trump administration, claiming that pressure campaigns to force viewpoint diversity on campus violate the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech. The Trump administration has taken aggressive actions against free speech, including targeting law firms and attorneys […]
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About one third of young adults are skeptical about democracy
About one third of young adults are skeptical about democracy Approximately one-third of young adults (31%) in the US do not buy into the value of democracy, have little confidence that the system works, and show higher support for authoritarian governments. The same group has low levels of media literacy, lowest educational attainment, and are […]
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Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible
Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government has undergone a state-driven process of revisionism to reevaluate the historical legacy of Ivan the Terrible, portraying him as a great statesman and devout Russian Orthodox Christian who laid the foundations […]
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