The Bulletin The Politics of Tyranny with Roger Berkowitz
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May 20, 2025 In this discussion, Roger Berkowitz, founder of the Hannah Arendt Center and professor at Bard College, dives into the politics of tyranny. He analyzes the rise of cruel governance and its implications for democracy. The conversation also touches on contemporary issues like U.S.-Russia relations amidst rising conflict and the political ramifications of President Biden’s health. Berkowitz emphasizes the need for resilience in civil discourse, highlighting the importance of historical context in understanding today’s political extremism.
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Rod Dreher's Tyranny Paradox
- Rod Dreher supports Trump despite fearing tyranny because he sees Trump fighting a worse "soft totalitarianism."
- He tolerates executive overreach to combat what he views as corrupt liberal establishment tyranny.
Arendt on Power Concentration
- Hannah Arendt warned that bureaucratic expert rule risks destroying freedom through concentration of power.
- She advocated preventing any institution, including the presidency, from accumulating too much power.
MAGA Breaks Conservative Tradition
- MAGA rejects traditional conservatism by seeking to dismantle institutions without guarding existing cultural "fences."
- It remains a resentful revolutionary movement, unwilling to conserve the established social order.
