The Complexities of Authoritarian Regimes

In a brief respite from his latest cross country adventure, Jonah camps out beneath the Idaho mountains to record another rambling Ruminant. As usual, the questions raised cover a little of everything: How should we think about Mitt Romney’s legacy? Is Russia still a terrible country (spoiler alert: Jonah’s answer is yes)? What’s the difference between authoritarianism and totalitarianism? And will Jonah’s ignorance of music allow him to discuss Nicaraguan Sandinistas without once referencing the Clash?

Show Notes:

- Phil Klein: “Mitt Romney Was No Profile in Political Courage”

- Nick Catoggio: “The Party’s Over”

- McKay Coppins: “What Mitt Romney Saw in the Senate”

- The Dispatch Podcast on Putin’s bromance

- Mike Duncan’s podcast on the Russian Revolution

- Claire Berlinski: “Dear Linda Yaccarino” 

- The Remnant with Megan McArdle

- The Remnant with Scott Lincicome

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