While Donald Trump, the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, has often criticized the United States’ European allies in NATO, he has been quick to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin and other far-right authoritarian figures.
Conversely, President Joe Biden has been strongly pro-NATO and a harsh critic of Putin.
In an article published by The Atlantic on May 6 and in their June 2024 print edition, journalist and author Anne Applebaum suggests the world is experiencing a major showdown between authoritarians and promoters of liberal democracy — and “electing Trump” would be a win for autocrats around the world.
au·to·crat noun – a ruler who has absolute power; someone who insists on complete obedience from others.
Applebaum’s analysis highlights a critical aspect of the current global political landscape. The struggle between authoritarianism and liberal democracy is indeed a defining feature of our time, with various actors and forces vying for dominance.
The election or re-election of figures like Donald Trump is the goal for autocrats worldwide and underscores the significance of election outcomes beyond national borders. For authoritarian regimes, the success of leaders who exhibit autocratic tendencies or undermine democratic norms and institutions can serve as validation and encouragement for similar behavior within their own countries thereby creating a ripple effect, emboldening anti-democratic movements and weakening the resolve of liberal democracies globally.
If Trump wins in November, it will be a big win for “autocrats” around the world, not just in the United States, Applebaum warns. Hungary and Argentina are prime examples. Of course, Russia’s Vladamir Putin is the quintessential authoritarian. He’s eliminated all of his most significant rivals to cement his grip on power. Moreover, his word is law in Russia.
Applebaum highlights the need for vigilance, resilience, and collective action in defense of democratic values and institutions. This includes not only safeguarding electoral processes from external interference but also addressing internal challenges such as disinformation, polarization, and erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
According to Applebaum, autocrats typically equate democracy with chaos and authoritarianism with stability; And they use propaganda campaigns to undermine democracy. Hence, people who don’t trust the government and are convinced it’s purposely working against their interests are prime targets to be seduced by outright lies and all types of disinformation.
Applebaum continues, “…. Authoritarian propaganda campaigns have become more sophisticated as they begin to use AI, or because ‘you obviously have a political environment here where there’s a lot more Americans who are more distrustful of all institutions.’ It’s also because the lawsuits, threats, and smear tactics have chilled government, academic, and tech-company responses….”
“… Russia, China, and sometimes other state actors — Venezuela, Iran, Hungary — work with Americans to discredit democracy, to undermine the credibility of democratic leaders, to mock the rule of law. They do so with the goal of electing Trump, whose second presidency would damage the image of democracy around the world, as well as the stability of democracy in America, even further.”
Do you want the government to have the power to throw you in jail – and keep you there – without a reason or fair trial? That’s just one example of life under an autocratic regime.
