Authoritarianism

Simon Rosenberg explains the pro-democracy, center-left imperative of becoming information warriors

With little more than a week until election day, fascists and authoritarians are working feverishly to end American democracy. If we don’t “do democracy,” Dr. Jennifer Mercieca warns, they might succeed.

America is infected with a fascist streak that imperils our way of life. In today's episode Rick is joined by Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works and the upcoming book Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. They delve into the troubling rise of authoritarianism in the United States, discussing how revisionist history and the manipulation of education are being used to consolidate power. The conversation explores the dangers of erasing marginalized perspectives, the role of tech and media in spreading disinformation, and the ongoing struggle to preserve democratic values in the face of rising fascist tendencies.

Rick Wilson talks with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva about his latest novel, 'A Death in Cornwall,' which takes place against the backdrop of the British political scene. The book explores the use of fine art for money laundering and the global oligarchy of the super-rich. The conversation also touches on the rise of Putinism, the link between doctrinaire Christianity and hard-right authoritarian politics, and the historical context of his Gabriel Allon series.

The GOP convention next week will not be and cannot be treated as though it's a normal political convention. Mark Jacob explains.

What happens when your PR job is to represent clients including Gaddafi, Assad, and the government of Qatar? Well, for one thing, a great many wild stories. In this episode, Rick welcomes Phil Elwood, the author of "All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians." Phil shares astonishing tales from his career in public affairs, detailing his work with notorious figures such as the Gaddafi family and Assad, and so many more. From orchestrating media strategies in high-stakes environments to confronting his own moral dilemmas, Phil's journey is both fascinating and eye-opening. Phil's book, "All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians," available now.

Dominance in politics matters, clearly, but how do we have strong leadership without authoritarianism? In this episode Rick speaks with political scientist Steven Fish, discussing his new book, "Comeback: Routing Trumpism, Reclaiming the Nation, and Restoring Democracy's Edge." They dive into the dynamics of political dominance, the importance of strong leadership, and the failures of current Democratic messaging. Fish argues that Democrats need to reclaim patriotic symbols and adopt a more assertive and emotional approach to connect with voters. The conversation covers the need to highlight achievements confidently and ridicule opponents effectively to counter authoritarian figures like Trump. Steven's book, "Comeback: Routing Trumpism, Reclaiming the Nation, and Restoring Democracy's Edge, available now.

Steven Beschloss, one of the essential voices in the pro-democracy fight, sat down with Rick, Joe, and Stuart to talk about the GOP strategy of denial - from the 2020 election results to the jury's verdict. In case you hadn't heard, it was GUILTY on all 34 felony counts. Just thought we'd mention that. The four discussed the GOP war on elections, the rule of law, decency, and democracy - and the work we'll have to do post-2024 even after Biden wins. We're glass half full here at Resolute Square!

Brian Daitzman explores the rise of white-reactionary authoritarianism, political repression, economic inequality, and heightened racial tensions that characterized a transformative period in U.S. history.

What's the difference between Nero at HIS Olympics in 67 and Trump at HIS golf course 1,957 years later? Robert McElvaine on losers who declare themselves winners.

Robert McElvaine highlights the stark contrast between President Biden's SOTU and the opposition party's response and ambitions, “'Take America Back' means take the nation back from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, non-“Christians,” and so on. Back to the days when the United States was 'a white man’s country.' Back to before the revolutionary changes that took off in 1964.as well as the GOP's dangerous alignment with authoritarianism."

Grab a warm drink and a comfortable seat because Teri Kanefield breaks down the GOP connections to Russian influence and you don't want to miss a word.

"The demagogue gains power by democratic means, claiming to be a champion of ‘the people’ and making wild promises...Anyone who opposes the demagogue is labeled an ‘enemy of the people’ and exiled or killed," writes Teri Kanefield.

Rick Wilson: "Vladimir Putin’s long hand of death reached out yesterday and struck down Alexi Navalny in a Siberian prison. The day before, Navalny seemed healthy during a video conference in his ongoing, manufactured legal torture. The Kremlin lie that Navalny 'suddenly felt ill' is the usual sort of deception told by authoritarian regimes around the world."

Ruth Ben-Ghiat taps into how public shaming and divide-and-rule tactics used by autocrats create toxic environments of fear and insecurity, where opportunists thrive at the expense of individual dignity and the good of the people.

Teri Kanefield astounds us once again with this incredible list of essential reading for anyone who wants to understand where our democracy is, how we got here, and how we can find our way through.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat looks into the consequences of underestimating the danger of authoritarianism and stresses the importance of staying informed and actively defending democracy.

Teri Kanefield provides insightful commentary on the dangerous trend of fascism, as leading Republicans pile on to endorse Trump, examining the risks to democracy and the need for accountability.

On this episode of The ZeroLine, Sarah Ashton-Cirillio and Lisa Senecal are joined by special guest, Oleksandr Musiienko, head of the Kyiv-based Center for Military and Legal Studies. Together, they dive into the current state of the war in Ukraine, focusing on frontline developments, the morale and strategies of Russian forces, and Ukraine's defensive efforts.

Rick Wilson effectively argues how Trump's escalating behavior is a longterm benefit to Biden's reelection.