I listened to 'Autocracy in America'. The lens used to expose autocratic symptoms thriving and spreading at state and local levels astonish me. Linking equivalents to Europe's experiences is a perfect narrative because western society views Europe as the 'other' people with 'other' problems. The examples you give to show tactics used to take power away from people is frightening. I remember when Mr. Obama was elected and narratives appeared on Twitter denigrating Michelle and the president. No one slapped back. The slurs were like a sexual assault. The damage done and the victim can't seem to see the possibility of justice. Time freezes to the assault. That's how I see America. Trump isn't the only assailant. He has many, many in his league, and America must learn how to end the victim stage.
I listened to the first episode. It was all true, but all the examples and anecdotes all came from the Republican side with the implication that the Democrats are virtuous lovers of truth or that this phenomenon of "power" and "narrative" is restricted to the political sphere. It is not. It seems to be imbedded much more deeply than that...in the culture, undermining our very civilization rooted in the Greek logos (that the knowable exists and can be known) and the 18th century rational enlightenment. I am an American, but I have lived in France for thirty years and has experienced the commonalities and differences between American and European culture. The sickness is here in France too, and it is not just an aberration of the right-wing, fundamentalist, populism....it is much worse than that.
I listened to 'Autocracy in America'. The lens used to expose autocratic symptoms thriving and spreading at state and local levels astonish me. Linking equivalents to Europe's experiences is a perfect narrative because western society views Europe as the 'other' people with 'other' problems. The examples you give to show tactics used to take power away from people is frightening. I remember when Mr. Obama was elected and narratives appeared on Twitter denigrating Michelle and the president. No one slapped back. The slurs were like a sexual assault. The damage done and the victim can't seem to see the possibility of justice. Time freezes to the assault. That's how I see America. Trump isn't the only assailant. He has many, many in his league, and America must learn how to end the victim stage.
This was an excellent
podcast. It clearly points out
how we can be influenced to
slip into autocracy. I
commend the commentators
for their stands against being
pulled into this alternative to
democracy, knowing the
personal costs would be high.
Thank you, Anne Applebaum. You are the Dorothy Thompson of our times.
Great first episode! Perfect complement to Autocracy Inc.
I listened to the first episode. It was all true, but all the examples and anecdotes all came from the Republican side with the implication that the Democrats are virtuous lovers of truth or that this phenomenon of "power" and "narrative" is restricted to the political sphere. It is not. It seems to be imbedded much more deeply than that...in the culture, undermining our very civilization rooted in the Greek logos (that the knowable exists and can be known) and the 18th century rational enlightenment. I am an American, but I have lived in France for thirty years and has experienced the commonalities and differences between American and European culture. The sickness is here in France too, and it is not just an aberration of the right-wing, fundamentalist, populism....it is much worse than that.
Hope there are transcripts available!
The author's book?