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According to Anne Applebaum, a student of dictatorships, nearly three-quarters of the world's populace lives in autocracies. Noted for her career-long study of totalitarian governments, the author describes the similarities of these single-leader regimes, warns of their danger to democracies, and illustrates the arrangements they have established to support one another.
In past centuries, a totalitarian government was led by a powerful, influential autocrat who controlled the police and threatened dissidents with arrest, torture, and death. However, Applebaum maintains that in the 21st century, autocrats no longer function alone but act together to destabilize democracies.
In today's world, autocracies operate in a complex network of corrupt dictators who secretly collaborate to enrich themselves and their cronies outside the rule of law. Today, "…autocracies work together to stay in power, work together to promote their system, and work together to damage democracies…" writes Applebaum.
These elaborate networks maneuver among many regimes, including those in Iran, China, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela, and elsewhere. Businesses in one autocracy work with companies in another. State-controlled police from one nation train police in another. "That world is the one we're living in right now," the author asserts.
The author relates the story of dissident Evan Mawarire, a Zimbabwean pastor who became the face of national frustration with Robert Mugabe's corrupt regime. The regime's response was to harass and defame Mawarire until he was forced to leave the country. Applebaum considers this and similar incidents a cautionary tale of how autocrats can use the tools of modern media to slander, disgrace, and destroy opponents.
Autocracies share a hatred for an independent judiciary, representative government, and the free press, all values held by democracies. Throughout the network, the message is the same: democracies are weak; let us destabilize their political systems and undercut their values. Against this, Applebaum suggests that democratic nations of the world need to band together in mutual support because "their democracies are not safe."
The noted journalist and historian urgently calls for democracies to unite to fight this new threat to their way of life. She calls for leaders of democracies to demand greater financial disclosure of foreign investments in businesses and land ownership. She urges collaboration among democratic nations to debunk disinformation from autocratic regimes and convene regular meetings of political dissidents to gather information about what is happening in their totalitarian countries.
"Autocracy, Inc." is an eye-opening, unflinching look at the ideas, beliefs, and practices of all the regimes aiming to crush democracies. It is a cautionary account for the citizens of the United States and other democracies, especially when they face political leadership transitions.
This brief book (206 pages) covers a lot of ground and should cause a stir among politicians, historians, and all who read it. "Autocracy, Inc." would be an excellent choice for a book club as the United States nears a federal election.
About the author: Ann Applebaum was a columnist at The Washington Post for 17 years and is currently a staff writer at The Atlantic. She is the author of five critically acclaimed and award-winning books "Twilight of Democracy," "Red Famine," "Iron Curtain," "Between East and West," and "Gulag," winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
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