Autocracy
Searching reporters’ homes, suing journalists and repressing citizen dissent are well-known steps toward autocracy
Searching reporters’ homes, suing journalists and repressing citizen dissent are well-known steps toward autocracy Autocrats like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and the US President Donald Trump are taking steps to repress criticism and silence independent media, threatening free speech and public ignorance. The use of lawsuits to intimidate journalists, such as Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against […]
🏛️ Politics
2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage
2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage The United States’ military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, marks a significant shift towards an autocratic approach to foreign policy, violating democratic values and international law. The “peace through strength” approach of the Trump administration, which emphasizes military power and […]
🏛️ Politics
Orwell’s opposition to totalitarianism was rooted in his support for freeing workers from poverty and exploitation
Orwell’s opposition to totalitarianism was rooted in his support for freeing workers from poverty and exploitation George Orwell’s opposition to totalitarianism was rooted in his support for freeing workers from poverty and exploitation, which he explored in his early writing on work, poverty, anti-imperialism, and democratic socialism. Orwell remained a committed democratic socialist until his […]
🏛️ Politics
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 […]
🏛️ Politics
US swing toward autocracy doesn’t have to be permanent – but swinging back to democracy requires vigilance, stamina and elections
US swing toward autocracy doesn’t have to be permanent – but swinging back to democracy requires vigilance, stamina and elections The United States is no longer a democracy. At least, that’s the verdict of one nonprofit, the Center for Systemic Peace, which measures regime qualities of countries worldwide based on the competitiveness and integrity of […]
🏛️ Politics
First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame
First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame Demonstrators protest the foreign influence law in front of the Georgian Parliament building on May 28, 2024. Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto/Getty Images Autocracy is on the move worldwide and becoming more resilient. One of the […]
🏛️ Politics