Strongmen
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a historian and political commentator specializing in authoritarianism, fascism, and propaganda. A professor at New York University, she has written extensively on how strongmen leaders rise to power and maintain control. Her work connects historical figures to modern political trends.
In Strongmen, Ben-Ghiat examines the rise and rule of authoritarian leaders from the 20th century to the present. She explores how figures like Mussolini, Hitler, and Putin use corruption, propaganda, violence, and machismo to consolidate power. By drawing parallels between past and present, she illustrates how strongmen manipulate public sentiment and democratic systems to maintain control. The book also highlights the tactics they use to undermine opposition and suppress dissent. While providing a historical overview, Ben-Ghiat also offers insights into how democracies can resist authoritarian rule. Her work is a timely analysis of the enduring dangers of strongman politics in an increasingly polarized world.