Democracy vs. Autocracy / Authoritarianism / Fascism / Totalitarianism

Get an overview of what fascism is, how it starts, and how it morphs depending on social conditions. Lots of 20th century history! Read the Introduction and Chapter 8 for a summary. -tsg

Also available as an ebook!

Covers the last 30 years or so of global politics to explain how leaders of autocracies and illiberal democracies come together, in what the author calls Autocracy, Inc., to support one another and work together to get rich and increase their power and influence.-tsg

The rise of Putin, the history of Ukraine, with backstories on a dissident, yet fascist, 20th century Russian philosopher and mythologized histories. The "politics of inevitability" and the "politics of eternity" are two traps explored. -tsg

Originally published in 1941.

Actionable items with historic context. -tsg

Actionable items with historic context. The illustrations are fantastic and powerful. -tsg

Includes an excellent overview of fascism as seen on the streets and how people respond and push back. -tsg

A classic with memeable references to understand and communicate the realities of misinformation, changing communal values, and manipulation for power. -tsg

A classic with memeable references to understand and communicate authoritarian, rewriting of history and collective memory, and absolute control over individuals. "Ministry of Truth," "Thought Police," and "Big Brother" are from this Orwellian world. -tsg

A deep dive into the imagery and world in Orwell's novel 1984 and how it relates to historical reality. -tsg

An absurdist play about the decent of society as individuals turn into Rhinoceroses. (Tip: understand something about the playwright Ionesco to get more out of the play. Referenced in Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny.) -tsg