Intelligence Squared Putin and The Age of The Strongman, with Gideon Rachman
Apr 18, 2022
Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Columnist for the Financial Times, explores the troubling rise of strongman leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping. He discusses how they wield nationalism and enemy narratives to gain power, often manipulating truth through social media. Rachman highlights the simplistic allure of authoritarian rhetoric and examines the dangerous alliance between China and Russia. The conversation delves into historical roots and the need for vigilance against these figures that threaten democracy in today's geopolitical landscape.
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Strongmen's Rise
- The strongman era emerged around 2000 with Putin's rise, gaining momentum over the next decade.
- Initially perceived as democratic reformers, figures like Putin, Erdogan, and Xi Jinping gradually revealed their authoritarian tendencies.
Strongman Tactics
- Strongmen utilize personality-driven politics, claiming they alone can fix a perceived national crisis.
- They employ nostalgic nationalism, promising a return to past greatness, often combined with social conservatism.
Soros and Public Humiliation
- George Soros is a frequent target for strongmen due to his wealth, Jewish background, liberal views, and political involvement.
- Rachman observed Putin employ a tactic of public humiliation, both in 2009 with a journalist and later with a security council member.
