Autocracy, Inc.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, in 1989 we in the west felt relieved and somewhat victorious.  We had broken the evil Communist Empire.  We felt liberal democracy was pre-ordained and it was just a matter of time before the rest of the world adopted our way.

Communism was an ideology that some believed in, but a few powerful people used it as a tool for their benefit.  According to author Anne Applebaum, the ideology we should be concerned about is autocracy.  In one sense it is not an ideology, but really just concentrating power for its own sake.  Loyalty to the leader is more important than ideology.

Westerners including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Angela Merkel honestly felt one way of bringing Russia and China to our way of freedom was through trade.  In reality we have enriched their economies and allowed them a bigger platform.  

Several nations are united in a distaste and fear of America with its western allies as a threat to their power.  Such diverse countries as Russia, Iran, China, Venezuela, North Korea and Cuba support one another.  India is one example of a democratic country that is dependent on Russian energy.

Vladimir Putin as mayor of St. Petersburg had control of export licenses and skimmed off the fees for himself.  A Russian company with Putin listed as an advisor was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange that German Intelligence determined was laundering Russian money.  Before too long Putin became president, changing the rules so he could have more control.  Some westerners were ready to launder the ill gotten gains of the autocrats that was a key to their enriching themselves and maintaining power.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/10/freezing-order.html

Putin felt Ukraine should be restored to the Russian Empire.  Ukraine put up more resistance than expected.  At about that time I was tutoring a Ukrainian and we noted the newspaper coverage of the battle.  However when Hamas attacked Israel, the newspaper coverage immediately priortized the Mideast.  Iran was a financial supporter of Hamas and the Houthis. 

Autocrats use several tools to maintain their power.

The concept of sovereignty plays a critical role in their projection.  Many international groupings expressed the need for respecting human rights  Autocrats played that idea down and substituted the idea  each country was sovereign and no other country should interfere with its internal affairs.  Meaning that sovereign countries decide what is acceptable within their boundaries.

Controlling media is vital.  In their own country as much as possible  they take over media with perhaps two examples being Iran and China.  With modern technology autocrats have found ways to infiltrate their "enemies" who are more concerned about human rights.  Disinformation is spread through networks with their identity hidden.  The Russians do have presidential preferences, but are just as concerned about causing division to weaken democracies. They successfully delayed aid to Ukraine with outright lies.

Legalities are used to track activities of citizens.  Also to hide illegal money as for instance many western countries do not require the name of the actual owner for many transactions. 

Autocrats finance terrorism (and divisive groups) to undermine their "enemies".   Russia supported Assad in Syria and went to the trouble of lying about the White Helmets. 

Assassinations are used not only to get rid of a particular person, but to intimidate others.  At the same time they do not want to draw too much attention that might turn off prospective allies or alert their enemies.   Two big examples were Khashoggi and Navalny.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/navalny-hero-for-our-times.html

How can we fight back? 

Autocracies do have different ideologies, but they seem to recognize a comradeship and support one another.  One illustrative example is Iran and Russia whose ideologies are opposed, but they share a hatred or fear of democracies.  Anne thinks the democracies need to think in terms of a war against autocracy and its predecessor, kleptocracy.  Isolationism is a fatal luxury.

Need to make transfers of money transparent.  Without making money laundering illegal, there would be consequences if both parties were public.  Some businesses and politicians like to claim they have nothing to do with autocrats as they enrich and empower themselves.

Disinformation needs to be countered.  The American Global Engagement Center set up in 2023 to try to pre bunk disinformation (as opposed to de bunking afterwards).  AI is going to be an integral part of our future and is likely to be abused by autocrats (and other greedy entities).  International standards of transparency should be established that would showcase abuse. 

Jake Sullivan warned of the danger of becoming overly dependent on China.  The Chinese government subsidizes businesses to seek inroads into other nations.  They put in an effort to develop (or steal) technology.  They are looking at Russia invading Ukraine and see that fits their idea of taking over Taiwan.

Anne Applebaum feels that the free world "understand that one nation's freedom can often depend on the strength of freedom in others."

Climate change is a global crisis that few in real power accept.  That could change by force of circumstances, but it is too risky to wait.  There are big obstacles in the way, but a concerted effort has to be made to make this a global effort.  Ironically the country doing the most is autocratic China who expects to gain economic power from their efforts.  One of their edges has been access to key minerals, but in fact there are other sources that need to be developed.  This is a topic in itself, but ridicule should be turned upside down so that deniers are made to feel it.

The book was published in 2024 so although Trump was vocal he didn't really get into power until 2025, but I would say Anne Applebaum would agree Trump is displaying a determination to be an autocrat.  Her book has many more details to help readers understand the problem that faces us.