Name: How to spot authoritarianism — and choose democracy
Uploaded: 2024-06-17T14:40:48Z
Duration: 16 min 21 s
Description: Democracy is about having choices — and authoritarianism is about not having them, says lawyer and writer Ian Bassin. Detailing the seven steps of the authoritarian playbook, he invites us all to put aside our differences and rethink our role in the fight for freedom, revealing the hope and power behind every choice we make.

Democracy is about having choices — and authoritarianism is about not having them, says lawyer and writer Ian Bassin. Detailing the seven steps of the authoritarian playbook, he invites us all to put aside our differences and rethink our role in the fight for freedom, revealing the hope and power behind every choice we make.

How to spot authoritarianism — and choose democracy

Democracy depends on a series of daily choices, not just laws or elections. The seven-step authoritarian playbook—from politicizing institutions to inciting violence—has played out in countries worldwide and now threatens the United States. During the 2020 election, two Georgia poll workers faced harassment and danger but stood up to defend democratic norms. Collective action and small acts of courage can tip the balance toward freedom, especially in moments of crisis and uncertainty.