Daniel Treisman

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.