The Allure of Authoritarianism and Domestic Support

The podcast discusses the seductive nature of authoritarianism and how it’s manifested in the American political landscape. Wealthy individuals, such as Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, appear to be aligning themselves with the new regime, believing that supporting it might lead to favorable outcomes for their businesses. This pattern is not unique to the U.S., as historical examples illustrate that oligarchs often accommodate leaders who have previously undermined democratic norms. The conversation highlights a troubling trend of elites normalizing authoritarian governance as a survival strategy, potentially threatening democratic structures.