Resolute Square

Ruth Ben-Ghiat

American historian and cultural critic, an expert on fascism and authoritarianism.
Credit: Ruth Ben-Ghiat

About Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University. She is an MSNBC Opinion Columnist and commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and other media outlets about authoritarianism, Fascism, and threats to democracy around the world.
Her latest book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present (W.W. Norton & Company) examines how illiberal leaders use corruption, violence, propaganda, and machismo to stay in power and how resistance to them has unfolded over a century.
 
Subscribe to Lucid, her Substack newsletter about democracy and autocracy.

Follow @ruthbenghiat
Latest
Paxton Acquittal: Protecting The Lawless Is What Authoritarian Parties Do
From Ruth Ben-Ghiat: "For the authoritarians of the GOP, who no longer see free and fair elections as valid ways of deciding America's leadership, that amounts to an "overthrow," to use Paxton's word. This is where the GOP is now."
Ken PaxtonAuthoritarianismTexas
September 19, 2023
Neo-Nazis And Neo-Fascists Found A Home In Pinochet's Chile. Today's Fascists Admire That Regime Of Terror
Ruth Ben-Ghiat explores the continuation of Fascist ideologies and terror tactics after WWII, focusing on the Chilean dictatorship of Pinochet and its lasting legacies.
AuthoritarianismFar Right Extremism
September 13, 2023
9/11 As Shock Event: The Path To Illiberal Politics
As we remember the tragedy and attack of 9/11, it's an important time to revisit Ruth Ben-Ghiat's Sept. 2022 piece on the anti-democratic policies enacted and accepted post-9/11.
Defending DemocracyNew York
September 11, 2023
Racist Proud Boys
The Proud Boys Will Continue to Mainstream Hate
"The Proud Boys have become a conduit for the infusion of extremist energies into American public life and the Republican party," writes Ruth Ben-Ghiat. And they're not going away.
The Proud BoysFar Right Extremism
September 6, 2023
Why Mark Meadows' Mug Shot Haunts Me
Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Mark Meadows: "The former GOP Congressman entered Trump's inner circle already mildly corrupt, refused his leader nothing, and exited as an accomplice to the greatest political crimes of modern American history."
Mark MeadowsDonald Trump indictment
August 31, 2023
Demagogues Don't Debate: Trump Mimics Putin And Orban
Trump had to be on the stage in 2016, but things have changed. "Demagogues like Trump, Putin, and Orban evade debates, weakening democracy in favor of authoritarianism," writes Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
Authoritarianism2024 Presidential ElectionDonald Trump
August 22, 2023
Rep. Matt Gaetz, Praising "Force," Goes Full Fascist At The Iowa State Fair
"(For Matt Gaetz) even the Iowa State Fair, a family event, is fair game: working in calls for violence while people are enjoying themselves is ideal for receptivity. Would you like some Fascism with your pork chop on a stick?," writes Ruth Ben-Ghiat
FascismMatt GaetzIowa
August 14, 2023
Israel At A Crossroads: Where Will Netanyahu's Autocratic Aggression Lead The Country?
"When strongmen leaders shake up the political landscape, normalizing extremists and modeling scorn for the rule of law, there is no return to the status quo," writes Ruth Ben-Ghiat. It's true of Netanyahu, just as it's true of Trump.
IsraelBenjamin NetanyahuAuthoritarianism
August 8, 2023
PragerU: A Far-Right Propaganda Machine Now In Florida Schools
PragerU delivers a toxic mix of conspiracy theories, racism, homophobia, anti-feminism, and neoliberalism, and is now part of DeSantis' Florida public school indoctrination plan
FloridaRon DeSantisRuth Ben-Ghiat
August 1, 2023
Spanish Elections And The Specter Of Franco
"When the wounds of a terroristic dictatorship are still relatively fresh --General Francisco Franco's regime started with a 1936 military coup and ended in 1975, thirty-six years later--any defeat of the far right is doubly important," writes Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
SpainElection IntegrityFar Right Extremism
July 25, 2023
Stressed About The State Of Democracy?
"We can't work to save democracy if we're not keeping ourselves mentally and physically healthy," writes Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
AuthoritarianismRussian FederationDonald Trump
July 18, 2023
From Fascism To Hungary And The U.S., Authoritarians Target Universities
What happens on campus reflects and often anticipates democratic decline.
AuthoritarianismFar Right ExtremismGen Z
July 13, 2023
Patriotism Means Celebrating America's Multiracial Democracy
How have threats to democracy changed the way you view patriotism and its symbols?
The January 6th HearingsRussian FederationDefending Democracy
July 6, 2023

Topics

Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton
Corrupt elected official from the state of Texas
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism has been making progress in the US for years. Today, that movement is best known as the Republican Party. We will stop them.
Defending Democracy
Defending Democracy
Democracy is under attack. The authoritarian GOP knows they can't win if democracy does, so they attack voting rights and Civil Rights. They are wrong. We are right.
The Proud Boys
The Proud Boys
Far-right, neo-fascist, white nationalist, MAGA stormtroopers.
Mark Meadows
Mark Meadows
Former chief of staff and close ally of Donald Trump
2024 Presidential Election
2024 Presidential Election
The 60th quadrennial presidential election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, is considered to be the most consequential election of our lifetimes where Americans will have the opportunity to protect democracy and democratic norms from extreme right-wing policies, racial violence and growing threat of authoritarianism by Republicans.
Fascism
Fascism
a political movement emphasizing extreme nationalism, militarism, and supremacy, led by a centralized autocratic government and dictatorial leader who rises to power through severe economic and social division, and forcible suppression of opposition
Israel
Israel
Join Us
Become a memberSupport our mission and get exclusive access
  • EXCLUSIVE INTERACTIVE STRATEGY CALL
  • EXCLUSIVE INSIDER NEWSLETTER
  • EXCLUSIVE MERCH
Join Us