Ruth Ben-Ghiat (2022) | Return of the Strongman

Festival of Dangerous Ideas

From Russia and China to America, Turkey and beyond, illiberal leaders have used corruption, machismo, disinformation, propaganda and violence to stay in power and expand their influence for decades.

With authoritarianism now governing over 60% of the world’s population, are we witnessing a backslide in democracy and a more efficient model of governance emerging? Join historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat as she examines the authoritarian playbook, how strongmen think and what drives them.

Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an expert commentator on fascism, authoritarian leaders, and propaganda — and the threats these present to democracies today. Author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Strongmen and over 100 op-eds and essays in CNN, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post, she brings historical perspective to her analyses of current events. Her insight into the authoritarian playbook has made her an expert source for television, radio, podcasts, and online events. Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University and an advisor to Protect Democracy.