Daniel Treisman
Professor of Political Science at the University of California and co-author of Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century.
Best podcasts with Daniel Treisman
Ranked by the Snipd community
Aug 14, 2025 • 56min
Sergei Guriev and Daniel Treisman, "Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century" (Princeton UP, 2022)
Daniel Treisman, a UCLA political science professor, dives into the evolution of authoritarianism with his book co-author, Sergei Guriev. They discuss the rise of 'spin dictators' like Putin and Erdogan, who manipulate public perception using media rather than brute force. The duo explores how these regimes superficially uphold democratic processes while stifling dissent. Treisman also connects economic growth with the dynamics of democracy and highlights the complexities of living under varying authoritarian regimes, especially in the context of Russia and Ukraine.
Jul 22, 2025 • 31min
From Hitler to now – How autocrats and dictators have evolved
In this engaging discussion, Daniel Treisman, a political science professor at UC and co-author of Spin Dictators, delves into the evolution of autocrats from Hitler to today. He reveals how modern leaders like Putin and Trump have adopted sophisticated tactics, shifting from overt brutality to subtle manipulation of public perception. Treisman highlights the role of technology in enabling state control and examines how contemporary autocrats strive for legitimacy while undermining democracy. The conversation emphasizes the resilience of civil society facing these challenges.
