Autocracy in America

The Atlantic

4.7 (68)
POLITICS
WEEKLY SERIES

There are authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States. To root them out, you have to know where to look.

EPISODE 1

Start With a Lie

The corruption of democracy begins with the corruption of thought—and with the deliberate undermining of reality. Stephen Richer, an election official in Arizona, and Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman, learned firsthand how easily false stories and conspiracy theories could disorient their colleagues. They talk with hosts Anne Applebaum and Peter Pomerantsev about how conformism and fear made it impossible to do their jobs. This is the first episode of Autocracy in America, a new five-part series about authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States and where to look for them. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Music by ELFL (“The Flux Beneath it All”), Skrya (“Mysterious Ways”), Howard Harper-Barnes (“Mysterious Forest”), J. F. Gloss (“Mysterious Figures”), Mary Riddle (“Go Lions,” “A United Nation”), Medité (“A Mysterious Lady”), Cercles Nouvelles (“Ancient Rome”), and Rob Smierciak (“Mystery March”). Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

38 min
EPISODE 2

Capture the Courts

In authoritarian states, the public has no agency and no real access to justice. Renée DiResta, a scholar who researches online information campaigns, struggled to counter false accusations leveled against her after a series of courts accepted them without investigation. As courts become more political, people could begin to assume justice is impossible. This is the second episode of Autocracy in America, a new five-part series about authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States and where to look for them. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Music by Howard Harper-Barnes (“Mysterious Forest”), J. F. Gloss (“Mysterious Figures”), Luella Gren (“Sleep Forever”), Farrell Wooten (“Magnified XY”), Ludvig Moulin (“Bats and Rats”), and Rob Smierciak (“Mystery March”). Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 min
EPISODE 3

Consolidate Power

Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate hundreds of workers across federal agencies if he becomes president again. Consolidating power and placing friends in key roles are textbook autocratic maneuvers, but they also are not new in the United States. This episode revisits the story of Louisiana Governor Huey Long, who sought to take over the apparatus of government in his state, just as illiberal leaders have done in other countries. This is the third episode of Autocracy in America, a new five-part series about authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States and where to look for them. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Music in this episode by Tellsonic (“Time Traveller,” “Desert Whispers”), Spectacles Wallet and Watch (“Secret Agents”), Howard Harper-Barnes (“Mysterious Forest”), J. F. Gloss (“Mysterious Figures”), Luella Gren (“Sleep Forever”), Ruiqi Zhao (“Ancient Spells”), and Rob Smierciak (“Mystery March”). Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

34 min
EPISODE 4

Join the Kleptocracy

Since the earliest days of the republic, America’s international friendships have shaped domestic politics. And some of those friendships helped America strengthen its democratic principles. So what happens if America’s new friends are autocrats? John Bolton, former national security adviser for President Donald Trump, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island argue that if America no longer leads the democratic world and instead imports secrecy and kleptocracy from the autocratic world, American citizens will feel even more powerless, apathetic, disengaged, and cynical. This is the fourth episode of Autocracy in America, a five-part series about authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States and where to look for them. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Music by Jerry Lacey (“The Lotus Tree”), J. F. Gloss (“Mysterious Figures”), Howard Harper-Barnes (“Mysterious Forest”), Medité (“Air Talking”), T. Morri (“Skip & Rewind”), Luella Gren (“Sleep Forever”), ELFL (“The Flux Beneath It All”), Yinon Muallem “(Oudstock”), and Rob Smierciak (“Mystery March”). Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

32 min
EPISODE 5

Politicize ‘Freedom’

Freedom in the United States is a word that has had more than one meaning. It has meant freedom for some people and the repression of others. In a democracy, freedom also means the right to take part in politics. So how can that freedom best be secured? This is the fifth episode of Autocracy in America, a five-part series about authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States and where to look for them. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Music by J.F. Gloss (“Mysterious Figures”), Howard Harper-Barnes (“Mysterious Forest”), Luella Gren (“Sleep Forever”), ELFL (“The Flux Beneath It All”), Yinon Muallem “(Oudstock”), and Rob Smierciak (“Mystery March”). Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 min
EPISODE 6 BONUS

Introducing: We Live Here Now

Hosts Anne Applebaum and Peter Pomerantsev talk with Hanna Rosin about the new series We Live Here Now. Rosin, along with her co-host, Lauren Ober, recently found out that their new neighbors moved to Washington, D.C., to support January 6 insurrectionists. They knocked on their door. We Live Here Now is a podcast series about what happened next. Subscribe to We Live Here Now here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeart Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Music by Rob Smierciak (“Mystery March”). Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 min
SEASON 1 TRAILER

Introducing Autocracy in America

There are authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States. To root them out, you have to know where to look. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 min

TRAILER

Introducing Autocracy in America

There are authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States. To root them out, you have to know where to look. Autocracy in America is produced by The Atlantic and made possible with support from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1

•

3 min

4.7

out of 5

68 Ratings

Everyone needs to be listening to this

Oct 25

MafaldaFavero

I truly wish this podcast was required listening for everyone in North America. It’s so well done, so measured, shocking without that being the aim, and sobering.
American History

Sept 20

Terrilmr

As a Canadian retired history teacher, I'm gobsmacked learning how often Democratic constitutions are under attack and how unable citizens appear to stop it. I have little faith in society to protect democracy than ever before. My faith rests in learning history where pathways for resistance are revealed. I really love this podcast!
Both fascinating and terrifying

Oct 3

Beemerdog

The only podcast I have felt deserves five stars from me.
Essential for Democracy

Sept 15

SpaceNana

If you care about democracy in your country - whichever country that is - than you should listen to this podcast. Every democracy needs a judicial system that is legitimate in the eyes of the people of that democratic country. This podcast explains why and outlines how that relates to America in 2024 where the Supreme Court has lost legitimacy for many Americans. Anne Applebaum of The Atlantic is a superstar in how democracies rise and fall. She and Peter Pomerantsev of the Agora Institute of Johns Hopkins University take you through why the American judicial system is failing because of the onslaught from the American right led by Donald Trump and why you should care. Definitely recommended.