In this wideranging interview, celebrated historian Ruth BenGhiat reveals how today’s rightwing populists–from Modhi to Duterte, Trump to Putin–are following a playbook originally crafted by Italian fascists a century ago.

From Hungary to India to the United States, liberal democracies are under threat from reactionary populists. With slogans of virality and violence, a new generation of strongmen are coming to power by railing against immigrants, outsiders, and other marginalized groups. NYU historian Ruth BenGhiat argues that there’s nothing new about their tactics and rhetoric. She contends that today’s wouldbe strongmen are following a template forged by fascists in the early 20th century. She also argues that the only force that can save democracy are the forces that saved it before massive, prodemocratic social movements for justice.

Keywords: Putin, Mussolini, Trump, Netanyahu, liberalism, authoritarianism, social movements, fascism, toxic masculinity, democracy, conservatism.

Professor BenGhiat is the spring 2023 Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

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Public lecture: • Strongmen: How Illiberal Leaders Cons...
Sponsored by the Department of American Studies in the College of Arts, Languages & Letters and the William S. Richardson School of Law