Is Trump’s America still a democracy? | Ruth Ben-Ghiat, autocracy scholar, on the Prospect Podcast

Has the United States become an autocracy? As Donald Trump marks his 100th day in office, Ellen Halliday and Alona Ferber are joined by Ruth Ben-Ghiat, scholar of authoritarianism and author of ‘Strongmen: from Mussolini to the present’ (2020).

Ruth analyses the Trump administration’s rapid shift towards authoritarianism. She talks about Trump’s personality cult, how strongmen portray machismo and the potential for a female strongman figure. She also discusses how autocrats use corruption, violence and propaganda to stay in power, and how ICE roundups echo the past, resembling a “secret police force”.

Ruth answers: can the Democrats can learn anything from Trump? What’s the best way to challenge an illiberal president? And how does this end?

Prospect’s podcasts are the new home for intelligent discussions on politics and media from the UK, US and around the world. Whether you’re British, American or just interested in journalism and international affairs, there’s something for you on our channel.

🔗: To listen to the full episode, including more discussion from Ellen and Alona, click here: https://podfollow.com/the-prospect-podcast/episode/facf938323c7d8710ac503add1bfecf0bf7af8cd/view

📖: For more quality journalism, head to www.prospectmagazine.co.uk

📷: Barry Fowler / Alamy

#politics #uk #ukpolitics #usa #media #unitedstates #unitedkingdom #journalism #britishpolitics #politicsnews #ukpoliticslive #podcast #uspolitics #putin #trump #podcasts #labour #tories #election #democrats #republicans

source