Radio Atlantic Autocracy Is in the Details
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Oct 17, 2024 
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, teams up with Peter Pomerantsev, a senior fellow and expert on propaganda, to delve into the subtleties of autocracy. They explore how absurd claims can serve as loyalty tests and how humor often intertwines with fear in political rhetoric. The conversation turns to the normalization of misinformation and the construction of alternative realities by political identities. They also reflect on the fragile state of American democracy and the pressing implications of the upcoming elections.
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Springfield Pet Story
- Trump's "eating cats and dogs" phrase illustrates lying to demonstrate power.
- Despite its falsity, the claim was never retracted, highlighting the disregard for truth.
Truth as Loyalty
- In autocratic systems, truth becomes a performance of loyalty, not factual accuracy.
- Absurd lies demonstrate loyalty, with truth subservient to power.
Vance's Fabrications
- J.D. Vance admitted to fabricating stories to gain media attention.
- He rationalized this by claiming it was necessary to highlight the suffering of Americans.