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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Misreading Strongmen
- The West repeatedly misreads strongmen, initially viewing them as liberal reformers due to their rhetoric and embrace of globalization.
- This misreading was evident with Putin, Erdogan, Xi Jinping, and Modi.
Putin as Archetype
- Strongmen's shift towards authoritarianism is influenced by global political fashions and the perceived permissibility of certain actions.
- Putin's anti-Western stance and authoritarian model gained a following among other leaders.
Putin and Truth
- Putin's approach to politics is marked by a deep cynicism and a commitment to manipulating truth.
- Social media plays a crucial role in this manipulation, enabling direct communication with followers and bypassing fact-checking.
