The hottest Authoritarianism Substack posts right now

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The Case for Pro-Democracy Rituals

The Garden of Forking Paths • 1670 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Rituals Authoritarianism Patriotism
  1. Pro-democracy movements can benefit from utilizing the power of rituals to build strong social connections and a shared sense of purpose.
  2. Rituals have the ability to create a feeling of collective effervescence, fostering unity and a sense of belonging among participants.
  3. It is important for progressive and pro-democracy movements to embrace and develop rituals that celebrate inclusive values and community engagement in order to strengthen their causes.

Horseshoe Politics

Skeptic • 85 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Abortion Presidential Election
  1. The extreme ends of the political spectrum, whether far right or far left, can exhibit authoritarian tendencies, showing similarities rather than vast differences.
  2. The Horseshoe Theory suggests that the political spectrum can be likened to a horseshoe shape, indicating that extreme ideologies may not be as distant as commonly thought.
  3. Classical Liberalism is presented as a balanced approach, incorporating elements from both liberals and conservatives, advocating for individual rights, democracy, free speech, and critical thinking.

Are MAGA Republicans 'conservatives'?

georgelakoff • 923 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Authoritarianism Democracy Conservatism
  1. The Republican Party under Trump has shifted to an extreme phase, breaking political norms and valuing power over democracy
  2. The term 'conservative' traditionally signified preserving traditional ideologies, but some Republican voters are willing to undermine democracy to maintain power and impose their morality
  3. The evolution of MAGA Republicans towards authoritarianism challenges the traditional meaning of 'conservative' and raises questions on how to label them

The limits of heterodoxy - my review of the Battle of Ideas

The Path Not Taken • 462 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideas Debates Freedom of Speech Liberalism Authoritarianism
  1. The Battle of Ideas festival had some limitations in representing a diverse range of viewpoints.
  2. There is a tension within the heterodox movement between promoting freedom of speech and the values of its supporters.
  3. The heterodox movement plays a crucial role in providing spaces for those marginalized by mainstream perspectives.

China’s Jan 2024 Speech Censorship Policy

Austrian China • 176 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship Authoritarianism Freedom of Speech Human Rights Government Control
  1. China's speech censorship policy is strict, but not as totalitarian as some may think.
  2. Violating speech restrictions can lead to consequences like post deletion and account suspension.
  3. Despite censorship, information still circulates, and the policy has limitations in preventing public voice and information flow.
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The reality crisis

Archedelia • 1277 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Society Authoritarianism
  1. There is a focus on self-governance in philosophical inquiry and reclaiming reality.
  2. The concept of the situated self adapting to external reality versus the atomized self reshaping the world to fit itself.
  3. The rise of an inward-oriented liberal self leading to a loss of self-government, reliance on experts, and a potential path towards totalistic technocracy.

When Safety becomes Dangerous

Deep Dives and Articles by Gummi Bear • 1081 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Free speech Climate change
  1. An excessive focus on safety can lead to the erosion of individual liberty and the rise of authoritative tyranny.
  2. Safetyism breeds a culture of fear and intolerance, leading to censorship and suppression of free speech.
  3. Values are crucial in protecting us against our worst instincts, even when safety seems to be the only priority.

Capitalism unchained

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 825 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Capitalism Democracy Authoritarianism Socialism Fascism
  1. Democracy does not necessarily come with capitalism and may even be destroyed by it.
  2. Unbridled capitalism leads to social instability empowering right-wing parties.
  3. Success of Western capitalism in mid-20th century was influenced by pressure from Soviet Union and left-wing parties, which led to a period against normal capitalist tendencies.

What I wrote in the New York Times about Trump's authoritarian plans

Can We Still Govern? • 172 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Government Public Services Democracy
  1. The stakes are high as Trump aims to transform the American government in an authoritarian direction.
  2. Trump's plan involves appointing loyalists, undermining career civil servants, and leveraging government resources for his personal and political gain.
  3. There is a serious threat to democracy if Trump's authoritarian blueprint succeeds, leading to a weaker government and dismantling of limits on presidential power.

Beyond Growth: A Strategy for Tackling Power. My speech to the EU Conference

System Change • 668 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🌍 World Politics Climate change Monetary Policy Authoritarianism
  1. The Money Interest holds real power over the planet and must be challenged by focusing on monetary policy.
  2. The economic model discussed highlights the need to shift focus from attacking the 99% for consumption to holding the 1% accountable for overproduction.
  3. To mobilize the majority for change, we must shine a light on the finance sector, educate ourselves on monetary policy, and focus on challenging the 1% instead of the 99%.

The Temptations of Carl Schmitt

The Upheaval • 816 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Totalitarianism Political theory Authoritarianism Nihilism Critical Theory
  1. Carl Schmitt's ideas have made a resurgence in disaffected political circles, especially on the right, reflecting a trend of his concepts becoming more mainstream.
  2. Schmitt's study of political chaos in post-World War I Germany offers insights into today's political, cultural, and spiritual upheavals.
  3. Schmitt's concept of 'friend-enemy distinction,' the central domain of politics, ties into today's identity politics and struggles for power.

Global Civil War

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 117 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Global Conflict Authoritarianism Democracy Economic Impact Nationalism
  1. The world is currently in a Global Civil War with conflicts between democracy, capitalism, and enforced unity.
  2. Despite economic prosperity, the pressure is on balancing between democratic pluralism and enforced conformity.
  3. The hope for 2024 lies in the economic forces favoring pluralism, despite the challenges posed by autocrats and fascist tendencies.

US invites authoritarian far-right regimes to 'Summit for Democracy'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 518 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Authoritarianism Democracy Geopolitical BRICS
  1. The US organized a 'Summit for Democracy' where several far-right, anti-democratic regimes were invited, including leaders from Israel, Poland, India, and Pakistan.
  2. Western media outlets have acknowledged the authoritarian nature of regimes like Netanyahu's in Israel, Duda's in Poland, and Modi's in India, despite their participation in the summit.
  3. The summit aimed to create a bloc against China and Russia, pressuring nations to sign statements denouncing these countries, revealing the US strategy to advance its geopolitical interests.

Mailbag 02.27.24

Unpopular Front • 23 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Conflict Authoritarianism Neoliberalism
  1. The situation in Ukraine appears grim and challenging, with both sides facing real material difficulties in the war.
  2. The rise of authoritarian politics is not solely caused by economic immiseration, but also by the breakdown of the previous social order and leadership crisis.
  3. Local conditions and history play a significant role in the rise of far-right movements in different countries, with unique factors shaping each situation.

March 17, 2024

Letters from an American • 11 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Conservatism Dictatorship Authoritarianism Policy
  1. Journalist Casey Michel highlighted how Hungarian prime minister Orbán's visit to a right-wing think tank was significant, shedding light on potential influence and alliances.
  2. Project 2025, led by Heritage Foundation, aims to reshape the U.S. government with far-right ideologies, targeting areas like family, government workforce, international relations, and personal liberties.
  3. The document envisioned by Project 2025 outlines extreme measures like purging civil service, dismantling international relationships, and concentrating power, posing a threat to democracy and equality as outlined by the Founding Fathers in 1776.

Populism May Be the Only Strategy Capable of Holding Authoritarianism At Bay

THE FREEDOM BLOG • 255 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Populism Authoritarianism
  1. Populism can be effective in countering authoritarianism by representing citizen concerns over elite interests.
  2. There is a growing disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens on various issues like censorship, trans ideology, and climate policy.
  3. Mainstream journalists have sometimes portrayed populism negatively, but it can serve as a mobilizing force against authoritarian tendencies.

Subscriber Commentary & Review Thread (#15)

The Upheaval • 261 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Central Banks Digital Currency Liberalism Authoritarianism
  1. The Gulf States are rapidly changing due to economic boom, attracting global wealth and talents, leading to potential reshaping of global liberalism.
  2. Central banks are pushing forward with the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) despite concerns over totalitarian state surveillance and control.
  3. Global trends suggest a shift towards stable authoritarian regimes with liberal elements, possibly leading to a new form of governance different from the West or China.

Meet the New Book Burners

Unsafe Science • 97 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia Authoritarianism Ethics Diversity Free speech
  1. Authoritarianism in academia is rising, leading to concern about the suppression of liberal democracy.
  2. Book burning is not just about literal burning of books, but also includes attempts to censor work deemed harmful.
  3. Prominent academics endorsing book burning practices and authoritarian behaviors pose ironic situations in academic fields.

Burning Down the House!

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Christian nationalism Conspiracy Theories Neoliberalism Authoritarianism
  1. Jared Yates Sexton offers a sharp analysis of right-wing authoritarianism, Christian nationalism, and conspiracy theory culture from ancient Rome to today.
  2. Sexton traces the rise of these political elements, examining their historical roots and the impact on modern society.
  3. The American Dream and current social structures are evolving, leading to a battle over what will replace them and shape the future.

Unveiling the authoritarian roadmap

Can We Still Govern? • 154 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Democracy Partisanship Administration Government
  1. Schedule F could increase politicization in the American government by allowing more political appointees and weakening job protections for career officials.
  2. The Heritage Foundation is pushing for a plan that could jeopardize American democracy by undermining the civil service system and concentrating power with potential for authoritarian misuse.
  3. There is a need for the center-left to develop its own agenda focused on restoring American administrative capacity, balancing the concerns about government efficiency with safeguarding democratic principles.

The True Darkness of Cancel Culture

American Dreaming • 121 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Political violence Authoritarianism
  1. Cancel culture is more than just public figures losing jobs, it's a mentality that can lead to extreme consequences.
  2. Turning disagreements into attacks on a person rather than their arguments can lead down a dark path.
  3. The cancel culture mentality is part of a broader authoritarian mindset, and can ultimately result in violence and even assassination attempts.

Pride and Prejudice in Tunisia

Pen>Sword • 59 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🌍 World Politics Authoritarianism
  1. Kais Saied in Tunisia leverages racial divisions to maintain power, using anti-Black racism and xenophobia to manipulate public opinion.
  2. Saied's exploitation of racial prejudices aims to distract the public from systemic issues like corruption and unemployment, consolidating his power through division.
  3. By weaponizing racism against political opponents and stifling dissent with authoritarian tactics, Saied undermines democracy and centralizes power in his hands.