Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University. She writes on authoritarian leaders, fascism, and propaganda. A regular contributor to CNN and other news and analysis sites, she appears frequently on radio, podcasts, and television and is quoted in news stories around the world on threats to democracy and how to counter them. Her latest book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present, will be published by W.W. Norton & Company in November 2020.
Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present
Available November 2020 from W.W. Norton & Co.
Ours is the age of the strongman, of heads of state who damage or destroy democracy use masculinity as a tool of political legitimacy, and promise law and order rule - and then legitimize lawless behavior by financial, sexual, and other predators. Covering a century of
tyranny, this book examines how
authoritarians use propaganda, virility, corruption, and violence to stay in
power, and how they can be opposed.
Pre-Order Links:
Interviews & Appearances
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Don Lemon CNN Tonight Interview
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ABC News Briefing Room Interview
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All in with Chris Hayes, MSNBC
FEATURED ESSAY
“How Did Journalists Become Hate Objects in America?”
CNN News, June 11, 2020
“Who are you essential to?” yelled a New York Police Department officer on June 2 as he confronted badged Associated Press (AP) videographer Robert Bumsted and AP photographer Maye-E Wong as they sought to report on a protest.
FEATURED INTERVIEWS
“What is Fascism? Is Trump a Fascist?”
NPR 1A Podcast, July 27, 2020
Featured Essay
“How Did Journalists Become Hate Objects in America?”
CNN News, June 11, 2020
“Who are you essential to?” yelled a New York Police Department officer on June 2 as he confronted badged Associated Press (AP) videographer Robert Bumsted and AP photographer Maye-E Wong as they sought to report on a protest.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- "Journalists as Hate Object: Populism, Authoritarianism, and the Free Press."
- PEN World Voices Festival: Journalists as Hate Object: Populism, Authoritarianism and the Free Press,” June 8, 2020,5-6:30EST. Livestream panel with Jay Rosen, Jason Stanley, and Klaus Brinkbäumer.
- Due to Covid-19, all in-person conference and speaking events have been cancelled or postponed.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Events
- "Journalists as Hate Object: Populism, Authoritarianism, and the Free Press."
- PEN World Voices Festival: Journalists as Hate Object: Populism, Authoritarianism and the Free Press,” June 8, 2020,5-6:30EST. Livestream panel with Jay Rosen, Jason Stanley, and Klaus Brinkbäumer.
- Due to Covid-19, all in-person conference and speaking events have been cancelled or postponed.
