Independent Thinking
Are autocracies at war with democracy?
Sep 6, 2024
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, dives deep into the rising coalition of autocracies challenging global democracies. She discusses how regimes like China, Russia, and Iran form opportunistic alliances. The conversation highlights the implications of misinformation in digital spaces and the fragility of leadership within authoritarian systems. Applebaum also critiques the West's role in these dynamics and advocates for flexible coalitions to address pressing global issues.
25:02
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Quick takeaways
- The collaboration among autocracies like China and Russia signifies a strategic alliance against liberal democracies, pursuing individual goals while cooperating opportunistically.
- Efforts to undermine universal human rights highlight the shared goal of authoritarian regimes to challenge established norms and maintain unchallenged power on the global stage.
Deep dives
Understanding the Network of Autocracies
A network of autocracies, rather than a united ideological front, is outlined as comprising countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, which operate opportunistically despite ideological differences. This collaboration manifests through mutual support when facing challenges, such as the supply of drones from Iran to Russia during the Ukraine conflict, or Chinese assistance to bolster Russia's defense capabilities. These nations share a common interest in countering liberal democratic ideals, which they perceive as threats to their authoritarian structures. The metaphor of 'Autocracy, Inc.' suggests these countries act like businesses in a conglomerate, where they pursue their objectives individually but cooperate when beneficial.
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