Historian, Educator, and Commentator

Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection. She is the recipient of Guggenheim and other fellowships, an advisor to Protect Democracy, and an MSNBC opinion columnist. She appears frequently on MSNBC, PBS, and other networks.

Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present (2020; paperback with a new epilogue, 2021), examines how illiberal leaders use corruption, violence, propaganda, and machismo to stay in power, and how resistance to them has unfolded over a century.

She is also a consultant for television and film productions, including Guillermo del Toro’s Academy Award-winning 2022 movie Pinocchio, which is set in Fascist Italy.

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Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Strongmen - Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Now Available in paperback, with a new epilogue about Jan 6th.

Strongmen

Mussolini To The Present

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.

Recent Lucid Articles

MEDIA INTERVIEWS | LIVECASTS

On the importance of prosecuting authoritarians and winning the information war“, MSNBC, Feb 11, 2024

“What is Authoritarianism?”
CBS News, Dec 4, 2023

“What is Authoritarianism?” CBS News, Dec 4, 2023

The Republican Party has no identity anymore beyond Donald Trump,
MSNBC, January 3, 2024

Trump needs lawless people for his planned autocracy.
MSNBC, Nov. 19, 2023

Chris Hayes, on Trump’s authoritarian language,
MSNBC, November 14, 2023

Press Play with Madeleine Brand
KCRW, November 22, 2023

“Trump’s Cultivation of Violence,”
MSNBC, Sept. 26, 2023

“The GOP as an Authoritarian Party”
MSNBC GOP Primary Debate, Aug 20, 2023

“Culture of Threat:
Judges and Jurors Under Attack”
MSNBC, Aug 19, 2023

Jonathan Capehart, MSNBC, 07/30/23

“Holding Trump Accountable”
Ali Velshi, MSNBC
, 07/20/23

Upcoming Events

    • February 27, 2024
      A Conversation with Barb McQuade on her book on disinformation, “Attack from Within”
      NYU, D’Agostino Hall / The Lipton Hall Room
      108 West Third St., NY, NY 10012
      6:30 pm

      More Info here.

Past Events

Past Events Recordings – Click here.

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