Introduction
Summary of the book Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum. Before moving forward, let’s briefly explore the core idea of the book. Picture a world where national borders blur under secret deals, where currencies and clandestine contracts bounce between capitals, and where whispered agreements shape entire societies without the public’s knowledge. This is not some distant fantasy, but the everyday reality quietly unfolding in the shadows of our interconnected planet. Modern autocrats no longer rely solely on violence or closed borders. They thrive by weaving themselves into global economies, media ecosystems, and high-tech communication networks. While we sleep, their influence grows stronger, supported by hidden wealth, strategic alliances, narrative manipulation, and friendly nods from powerful circles. Yet, understanding these hidden mechanisms is the first step to pushing back. By peering behind the scenes, recognizing their subtle methods, and learning how they reshape rules and norms, we can begin to safeguard democracy’s fragile flame. This journey into the heart of modern autocracy invites you to see beyond appearances and question what truly lies beneath.
Chapter 1: Venturing Behind the Hidden Curtain of Modern Autocratic Alliances to Reveal Their Unexpected Global Reach and Influence.
Imagine a world where political leaders never truly stand alone, even if they claim to rule without opposition. In today’s world, many autocrats – those who concentrate power in their own hands and fear any challenges – do not simply dominate their homelands through brute force. Instead, they form quiet, intricate alliances that stretch far beyond their borders, reaching into regions and industries you might never suspect. Although older images of autocrats suggested a single ruler standing atop a fearful population, today’s version is more cunning. Modern autocrats rely on complicated networks of money, influence, and support that connect them with other leaders who share similar interests. These networks even extend into democratic nations, often through subtle business deals, high-level negotiations, or secretive arrangements that leave ordinary citizens puzzled. It is this web of friendships, contracts, and financial exchanges that helps autocrats maintain power, influence global affairs, and slowly reshape the world in their favor.
The old stereotype of a dictator surrounded by uniformed guards and barking orders from an isolated palace no longer captures the full picture. Instead, today’s autocracies operate like multinational corporations, building partnerships with private investors, media moguls, and technology providers who help them achieve their goals. By forging business deals with companies in democratic countries, they manage to blur the line between free and unfree worlds, luring investors with promising opportunities while quietly securing tools to track and silence critics at home. These practices go beyond mere politics. They embed themselves in global economies and communication channels, ensuring that even large, well-established democracies hesitate to criticize or confront them. After all, no one wants to risk their own financial stability or lose access to crucial resources. Within this environment, autocrats cleverly spin their image, presenting themselves as pragmatic leaders who just want steady progress and practical solutions, rather than ruthless tyrants.
As these interconnected autocracies spread their reach, they cleverly craft new ways to ensure their survival. Instead of intimidating the world with open brutality, many autocrats refine their methods, operating in a more calculated manner. They understand that a strong economy, abundant trade opportunities, and a web of global partnerships often serve as better armor than any fortified wall. By controlling important commodities, forging international alliances, and blending into the very fabric of the global financial and media systems, these regimes shield themselves from external pressure. Leaders who once faced global isolation now host international summits, sign investment contracts, and influence global decision-making bodies. Through these relationships, they make it extremely difficult for other nations to push back against their abuses. This subtle yet powerful infiltration of global structures helps these regimes appear ordinary, even respectable, while they undermine basic freedoms and human rights in the shadows.
From a distance, it might seem like a clever game of chess, where the pieces are states, businesses, and banks scattered across continents. But behind the polished veneers of win-win economic partnerships lies a darker reality. Autocrats knowingly create reliance, nurturing connections that leave democracies tangled in webs of financial gain and political hesitance. Whenever democracies consider challenging autocratic abuses, they must weigh the cost: lost business ventures, reduced access to resources, or hostile retaliation. By skillfully shaping these intricate networks, autocrats inject doubt and reluctance into the minds of global leaders who might otherwise stand firmly for democratic ideals. As we begin this journey into understanding modern autocracies, it’s important to recognize that what seems stable or normal on the surface may mask dangerous forces beneath. The key to uncovering their influence lies in looking closely at how they operate, what they value, and where their hidden allies truly reside.
Chapter 2: Unraveling the Past’s Secret Deals and the Unseen Chains Linking Democracies and Authoritarian States in a Profitable Embrace.
To understand why modern democracies often find themselves bound to autocratic partners, we must step back in time. Consider the late 1960s, when a seemingly simple business meeting in a hunting lodge near Vienna set the stage for an entire era of uneasy cooperation. Austrian and West German industrialists, eyeing fresh opportunities, sat down with Soviet officials to discuss the export of Siberian natural gas to Western Europe. What began as a straightforward economic arrangement soon sprouted deep and complex roots. Western leaders hoped that by encouraging trade and engagement, they might gently nudge the Soviet Union toward more liberal, open policies. The idea was that mutual dependence, built through pipelines and commerce, would melt away ideological barriers. They believed this approach, often summarized as change through trade, would gradually reform the Soviet system from within. Yet, as time passed, these optimistic assumptions failed to anticipate the resilience and adaptability of authoritarian power.
This historical experiment in economic engagement taught us that autocracies could skillfully navigate global systems to their own advantage. Even after the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union dissolved, the echoes of these deals lingered. Western democracies cheered the collapse of old communist regimes and welcomed new opportunities for trade and investment, convinced that free markets would bring political freedom in their wake. They believed the world was on an unstoppable march toward democracy. As Russia and China emerged as vital economic players in global trade, policymakers insisted that connecting these states to international institutions would help them embrace democratic norms. Unfortunately, history took a different turn. Economic interdependence did not break down the authoritarian structures; instead, it furnished autocrats with new tools: improved financial relationships, stable resource markets, and legitimizing ties to respectable business communities abroad. Rather than paving the way for liberal reforms, these ties fortified authoritarian regimes.
Leaders in Western democracies soon found themselves trapped in a delicate balancing act. They needed affordable energy, secure investments, and stable markets. Autocrats, on the other hand, relied on this international thirst for profit to tighten their grip at home. They realized that clean suits, investor-friendly conferences, and promises of reliability earned them a seat at prestigious global clubs. Back home, these same regimes crafted tighter laws, amplified surveillance, and centralised authority. While foreign investors focused on profit, authoritarian leaders quietly set rules to suppress political rivals and censor free speech. The pipelines and trade corridors that were meant to nurture trust and openness instead gave autocracies crucial economic lifelines. Western countries struggled to criticize human rights abuses or demand reforms for fear of losing lucrative contracts. This mutual dependence meant that the money flowing through energy pipelines was matched by a silent acceptance of authoritarian cruelty.
Over the decades, the lessons from these early East-West exchanges grew increasingly clear: money and trade can connect worlds and tear down old barriers, but they can also create uncomfortable silences and moral dilemmas. Behind every long-term contract or cross-border investment lies a subtle negotiation of values. Today, as we witness modern autocracies linking arms and strengthening their global presence, we must remember that these patterns have roots in the past. The belief that democracy follows commerce now looks naïve. Instead, we see that authoritarian states learned to game the system, adjusting their strategies to profit from global markets. The very tools once thought to spark openness and reform have helped shield and sustain autocratic regimes. As we delve deeper, we will explore how these networks evolved, how they were refined, and how they now connect not only Russia and China, but a host of other countries skilled at bending the system to their will.
Chapter 3: Following the Hidden Money Trails That Reveal the Worldwide Spread of Kleptocracy, Corruption, and Secret Schemes.
What happens when autocrats realize that holding absolute power can also mean gaining unimaginable riches? The result is kleptocracy, a system where rulers treat their countries like personal treasure chests. These leaders use state resources, valuable commodities, and national wealth to enrich themselves, their families, and loyal supporters. Instead of relying solely on fear or ideology, they convert their authority into streams of money hidden in foreign bank accounts. Consider the story of Venezuela’s once-promising democracy. When Hugo Chavez rose to power in 1998, he pledged to end corruption and uplift the impoverished masses. Yet, within a few years, accusations swirled around his government. Investigations that might have exposed wrongdoing were halted. Funds flowed quietly into secret accounts, precious oil revenue vanished, and a small circle of insiders gained unimaginable fortunes. Before long, Venezuela’s once-admired institutions hollowed out, transformed into hollow shells serving only the ruling elite’s lavish lifestyle.
Venezuela’s descent into kleptocracy was not unique. Around the world, autocrats discovered that they could exploit global financial networks to hide their gains. These leaders did not simply stash money under mattresses. They transferred billions into respectable-looking trusts, offshore accounts, and luxury properties far from their homelands. In Zimbabwe, for instance, political elites enriched themselves after ruining local agriculture, smuggling precious minerals abroad while blaming others for the country’s hardships. In Russia, a network of politically connected billionaires sprang up under Vladimir Putin’s watch, benefiting from state assets sold off at bargain prices. They hid their fortunes in fancy European banks and bought villas along the French Riviera. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens faced crumbling infrastructures, declining public services, and shrinking freedoms. By spreading their money across the globe, autocrats built safety nets that insulated them from local unrest and allowed them to withstand international pressures.
In a twisted irony, democratic nations often provided the ideal environments for these hidden fortunes. Their strong financial institutions, prestigious banks, and real-estate markets became prime destinations for laundered money. While ordinary citizens in Western democracies assumed that strict laws governed their financial systems, autocrats’ hidden funds slipped through loopholes. Corrupt leaders hired top-notch lawyers, accountants, and consultants to create complex networks of shell companies and offshore accounts. They disguised suspicious transactions with perfectly normal-looking documents, making it incredibly difficult for investigators to trace. This global network of financial secrecy allowed wealthy autocrats to blend into high society, send their children to elite schools, and enjoy luxurious lifestyles that would astound their impoverished citizens back home. The result is a world where stolen wealth circulates freely, often welcomed by countries that claim to cherish transparency, fairness, and accountability, but fail to turn those ideals into meaningful action.
As kleptocracy spread, it became a powerful ally to authoritarianism. An autocrat with deep pockets, filled with embezzled national riches, is nearly untouchable. He can bribe key allies, crush rivals, and secure state loyalty at every level. Even when sanctioned or criticized, these leaders can survive by tapping their financial reserves cleverly parked in foreign accounts. This global network of corruption not only preserves power for despots; it also gradually erodes trust in democratic systems. Citizens who learn of massive money laundering wonder whether their own governments are truly honest. They see that autocrats are not held accountable, and that even prestigious banks or respected financial firms prefer profit over principle. Over time, this creeping cynicism weakens faith in democracy itself. Thus, as we follow the money, we see how kleptocracy is not merely an internal affair of a distant regime; it affects global stability, fairness, and freedom.
Chapter 4: Illuminating the Technological Battleground Where Modern Autocracies Control Information, Spread Disinformation, and Rewrite Truth Itself.
Technology was once hailed as a champion of freedom and transparency. Yet, autocrats today harness it to monitor citizens, silence critics, and bend reality. Take China’s Great Firewall, a massive censorship machine blocking countless websites and filtering every digital interaction for forbidden words. Over time, this went beyond limiting what people read. Advanced facial recognition cameras, big data analysis, and ever-present surveillance networks aim to anticipate resistance before it starts. Citizens, knowing they are watched, may avoid discussing politics, organizing protests, or even expressing honest opinions. Meanwhile, this technology is exported to other nations, enabling their rulers to track dissidents, target opposition figures, and spread fear. The once-neutral concept of safe-city technology now often means a system that swiftly identifies and punishes anyone who dares question authority. It is not just about cutting off information; it is about shaping what people believe, who they trust, and how they understand the world.
While China refines its censorship and surveillance, Russia wields a different weapon: disinformation. Instead of simply blocking unwanted truths, Russian state-backed media and online armies flood the internet with falsehoods, half-truths, and contradictory stories. This firehose of falsehoods strategy seeks not to convince people of one clear lie, but to overwhelm them with confusion. Citizens, bombarded by endless conspiracy theories and outrageous claims, struggle to identify trustworthy sources. Over time, the very idea of objective truth erodes. Suspicion and cynicism flourish, as people come to believe that everyone lies, and that honest debate is pointless. This tactic is not limited to Russia’s own population. Through clever use of social media, manipulated videos, and misleading news outlets, the Kremlin targets foreign audiences, aiming to weaken their trust in democratic institutions. By making others doubt their leaders, their elections, and their values, Russia spreads uncertainty far beyond its borders.
These information battles shape global politics. Autocrats understand that winning over populations – or at least making them passive and compliant – is often cheaper and more effective than brute force. Control over narratives can outlast any number of barricades or soldiers. Just as kleptocracy weaves hidden financial webs, narrative manipulation builds invisible chains around people’s minds. Citizens living under such regimes may not even realize how deeply they are influenced. From childhood, they grow accustomed to certain viewpoints, suspicious of outside ideas, and hesitant to question authority. Meanwhile, democracies face a dilemma. Should they try to counter disinformation with censorship, risking their own values of free speech? Or trust that truth, over time, will outshine lies? As the tools of autocratic information control spread worldwide, the stakes rise. The battle is no longer just about who controls territory, but who controls the very fabric of collective understanding.
Beyond national borders, autocratic states form alliances to bolster their narrative dominance. China and Russia may differ in culture and ideology, but both recognize that shaping international opinion is crucial. Chinese media investments in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, combined with Russia’s global media outlets, slowly shift the tone of international discourse. Stories that question human rights abuses vanish behind positive coverage of development and partnerships. Meanwhile, doubts about democratic governance multiply as manipulated content spreads on social platforms. Over time, this reshaping of global narratives creates a marketplace of ideas where authoritarian viewpoints gain ground. Democracies, long confident in their moral and informational leadership, struggle to keep pace. As these trends persist, it becomes harder to distinguish fact from propaganda. The future may hinge on our ability to understand and resist these subtle manipulations, ensuring that truth and honesty do not become luxuries only the courageous dare pursue.
Chapter 5: Peering into the Halls of Global Power Where Autocracies Strategically Rewrite International Norms and Institutions to Favor Control Over Freedom.
The global order that took shape after World War II envisioned a future anchored in human rights, free expression, and the rule of law. Institutions like the United Nations and principles such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were meant to guide nations toward dignity and fairness. Yet, modern autocrats see these ideals as obstacles. They prefer a world where sovereignty – the right of a government to do as it pleases at home – outweighs universal standards of justice. As they gain influence, these leaders cleverly reshape the language and purpose of international bodies. They push phrases like win-win cooperation and mutual respect, which sound harmless but hint at a future with fewer questions asked about jailings, torture, or rigged elections. The gradual replacement of human rights discourse with vaguer terms allows them to hide repressive behavior under the banner of cultural differences, development, or non-interference.
China stands at the forefront of this effort to retool global norms. From influencing United Nations resolutions to backing alternative institutions like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Beijing seeks to dilute existing standards that might criticize its treatment of political dissidents or ethnic minorities. Russia, too, embraces the narrative of a multipolar world, implying that the old rules – championed by Western democracies – are outdated. By framing themselves as challengers to Western hegemony, these autocracies attract allies who resent what they see as cultural imposition. They find common cause with leaders who bristle at the idea that outsiders can judge their human rights records. The resulting partnerships build a quiet consensus: that each state should manage its affairs without pesky foreign monitors, journalists, or watchdogs. As this mindset spreads, the global fabric that once protected vulnerable populations from the worst abuses begins to unravel.
In this shifting landscape, autocracies collaborate to draft new treaties, introduce new interpretations of existing laws, and promote codes of conduct that weaken international oversight. The very institutions once intended to uphold justice become platforms for power plays. Representatives who once championed freedom of expression find themselves outnumbered or outmaneuvered in debates cleverly steered by autocratic blocs. Meanwhile, smaller nations with fragile economies weigh the consequences of standing up to powerful states. They fear losing trade deals or development assistance, so they often remain silent. This creeping transformation does not happen overnight. It advances slowly, in carefully planned steps, allowing autocratic powers to normalize their presence and views in global decision-making rooms. Over time, the standards of accountability shift, the intensity of scrutiny wanes, and the voices of those demanding transparency become whispers drowned out by confident rulers defending their unique paths to development.
As the global stage tilts toward these revised rules, citizens around the world may start to feel the effects. Fewer international observers challenge unfair elections. Fewer global organizations condemn discriminatory laws. Without common standards to protect them, activists, journalists, and marginalized communities have fewer tools to fight injustice. This subtle but steady erosion of the global rights framework does not just protect autocrats at home; it encourages them to spread their influence abroad. If no one stops them from silencing critical voices, detaining protesters, or blocking humanitarian aid, their power grows stronger. For democracies, the cost is high. They lose the moral high ground and the guiding principles that once inspired others. As these international norms weaken, the world risks sliding into a new era of anything goes, where might makes right and shared human values are harder and harder to defend.
Chapter 6: Revealing the Sophisticated Art of Strategic Smears, Lies, and Framed Narratives That Help Autocracies Sabotage Democratic Voices and Resistance.
Not all attacks on democracy come from tanks or tear gas. Modern autocracies have learned that destroying reputations can be just as effective as locking someone in a cell. If a government can convince the public that a critic is corrupt, a foreign spy, or a dangerous extremist, it reduces sympathy for that person’s cause. In Zimbabwe, for example, when a courageous pastor tried to mobilize citizens against injustice, he was swiftly portrayed as a tool of hostile foreign powers. Such smears isolate activists, discouraging others from joining them. Opponents of authoritarian rule become radioactive figures, too risky to support openly. This tactic extends beyond individuals. It stains entire movements and ideals. By painting democracy as a foreign project, autocrats discredit it. By labeling reformers as criminals, they silence them. Over time, smear campaigns can reduce even the most vibrant resistance efforts into scattered whispers easily ignored or crushed.
Strategic smears thrive in environments where the state controls newspapers, television stations, or social media platforms. Autocrats carefully time their attacks, releasing scandalous accusations when activists organize protests or publish exposés. They combine these personal attacks with a flood of disinformation, saturating the public sphere until no one knows whom to trust. In Venezuela, critics were framed as part of sinister plots, often without solid evidence. In Russia, the government amplifies fabricated stories to cast opposition leaders as morally bankrupt. In Iran, activists become traitors linked to mysterious foreign sponsors. Each regime masters its own style, but the goal remains the same: to discourage legitimate dissent and convince ordinary citizens to keep their heads down. The more the public doubts the moral purity of reformers, the less likely they are to join them. In this way, smear campaigns infect the very heart of political debate.
The digital era has supercharged these smear tactics. State-sponsored trolls and bots flood online forums, harassing journalists and activists, generating fake evidence, and spreading rumors at lightning speed. Platforms once celebrated for connecting people worldwide now serve as battlegrounds where truth struggles to survive. Autocratic regimes coordinate attacks that drown out meaningful conversations. A brave blogger might wake up to thousands of threatening messages, while a viral claim that they secretly receive foreign cash circulates relentlessly. Even if these lies are later debunked, the damage lingers. People remember the scandal, not the correction. This digital onslaught erodes trust and encourages self-censorship. Why speak out if you’ll be ridiculed, threatened, or branded a traitor? With each silenced voice, the walls of authoritarianism grow stronger, and the task of restoring honesty and integrity to public life becomes more difficult.
In the face of these sophisticated smears, defenders of democracy must learn to read between the lines. Understanding these dirty tricks is the first step toward resisting them. Civic groups can build fact-checking networks, uncover disinformation campaigns, and alert the public to manipulative tactics. International watchdogs, investigative journalists, and digital literacy programs help citizens separate truth from fiction. With patience and determination, people can learn to recognize when powerful figures launch character assassinations to distract from their own misconduct. By exposing these smear campaigns, democracies can strengthen themselves from within. Yet, the struggle remains challenging. Smears are quick and cheap to produce, while rebuilding trust and goodwill can take generations. Still, acknowledging the hidden weapons used by autocracies is crucial. Only with awareness and collective resilience can democratic voices break through the noise, restore credibility, and ensure that people judge ideas based on their merits, not manufactured scandal.
Chapter 7: Confronting the Growing Shadows Cast by Autocracy’s Global Tactics and Considering the Ways We Might Reclaim the Principles of Open Societies.
As we piece together this unsettling puzzle, a clearer picture emerges. Modern autocracies are not isolated bullies simply terrorizing their neighbors. They are part of a sophisticated system that leverages finance, technology, narrative manipulation, and international institutions to ensure their survival and advance their interests. These regimes adapt swiftly, learning from each other’s successes and failures. They test new strategies, from forging profitable alliances with democratic companies to hijacking international bodies. Their ultimate aim is to insulate themselves from the pressures that once curbed authoritarian excesses. The result is a world where democracy no longer holds an uncontested advantage. Instead, it must grapple with a formidable set of opponents who play by their own rules, well aware that subtlety and patience can achieve what brute force once did. Understanding these methods is a critical step if democracies hope to find their footing and push back.
In this tense environment, democratic nations face tough choices. Will they continue to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term values, allowing autocracies to flourish unchecked? Or can they unite to impose stricter transparency standards, close financial loopholes, and refuse to remain silent when human rights are trampled? It’s easy to feel helpless when faced with powerful regimes controlling narratives, smearing opponents, and laundering wealth. Yet, just as autocrats have developed global tactics, democracies can cooperate to restore fairness. They can support investigative journalism, back international anti-corruption efforts, and invest in educating people about digital literacy. They can forge alliances that defend free speech and resist censorship. Slowly but surely, these steps might rebuild the norms that autocracies worked so hard to erode. It will not be simple, and it will not happen overnight. But understanding the enemy is always the first step toward fighting back effectively.
Another challenge is how to restore trust. In societies flooded with disinformation, ordinary citizens feel confused and disillusioned. They may grow skeptical of all leaders, fearing that everyone manipulates facts. Democracies must show that they can still deliver honest governance, hold their own leaders accountable, and protect the public interest. By encouraging open debates, supporting critical-thinking skills, and making reliable data accessible, democracies can brighten the dimmed light of truth. On a global scale, they can champion international agreements that reward transparency and punish secrecy, introduce tougher regulations to prevent money laundering, and endorse stronger human rights monitoring. If autocrats have proven that international collaboration can be twisted to serve authoritarian ends, democracies can prove it can also restore balance. By patiently rebuilding the guardrails of fairness, truth, and accountability, the world can move closer to an environment where oppression has fewer places to hide.
In the end, the fate of global democracy depends on how well we understand and respond to these autocratic tactics. Recognizing the hidden networks of money, the cunning use of technology, the deliberate spread of false narratives, and the subtle rewriting of global rules is more than academic knowledge. It’s a guide to action. Though the road ahead is complicated, filled with moral dilemmas and strategic puzzles, greater awareness can spark innovation. It can inspire new policies, alliances, and institutions designed to protect open societies. Most importantly, it can remind everyone that democracy’s true strength lies in people’s willingness to stand up for honesty, fairness, and dignity. By facing these challenges head-on, we might restore confidence that truth can outshine lies, accountability can break the grip of corruption, and transparent governance can once again serve as a beacon, guiding us toward a freer and more hopeful world.
All about the Book
Discover the gripping exploration of authoritarianism in ‘Autocracy, Inc.’ by Anne Applebaum. This compelling work unveils the techniques employed by autocrats globally, encouraging essential discussions on democracy, governance, and civil rights protection.
Anne Applebaum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist, known for her incisive analysis of democracy, totalitarianism, and Eastern European affairs.
Political Scientists, Historians, Journalists, Social Activists, Government Officials
Political Discussions, Debating, Reading History, Participating in Civic Engagement, Writing Blogs on Governance
Rise of authoritarian regimes, Threats to democracy, Civil rights abuses, The impact of disinformation
Democracy is not a given; it must be actively protected.
Barack Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Fareed Zakaria
Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, Canzalá Prize for Literature, The History Book of the Year
1. How does autocracy impact personal freedoms and rights? #2. What tactics do autocrats use to control information? #3. How can institutions resist authoritarian rule effectively? #4. What role does propaganda play in autocratic regimes? #5. How does corruption facilitate the rise of autocracies? #6. What lessons can democracies learn from autocratic governance? #7. How does the economy influence the stability of autocracies? #8. What strategies do autocrats use to suppress dissent? #9. How does technology empower or challenge autocratic leaders? #10. What is the significance of international relations for autocracies? #11. How do autocrats exploit crises to consolidate power? #12. What are the psychological effects of living under autocracy? #13. How do civil society organizations resist authoritarianism? #14. In what ways do autocracies undermine judicial independence? #15. How do educational systems support or challenge autocracies? #16. What is the impact of autocracy on social cohesion? #17. How does nationalism play into autocratic governance? #18. What tactics do autocrats use against opposition movements? #19. How does public apathy contribute to autocratic stability? #20. What historical examples illustrate the rise of autocracies?
Autocracy Inc, Anne Applebaum, political analysis, democracy vs autocracy, global politics, totalitarian regimes, authoritarianism literature, freedom and oppression, political strategy, current affairs, international relations, nonfiction books
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