The Bomb Was Horrifying. The Alternatives Would Have Been Worse.
Historical records show that dropping atomic bombs was the least bad option.
List of Authoritarianism articles
![People celebrate in front of a billboard showing Erdogan's face next to a campaign slogan in Turkish.]()
People celebrate in front of a billboard showing Erdogan's face next to a campaign slogan in Turkish.
Erdogan Won by Exploiting Fear
In the midst of uncertainty, people stick with the devil they know.
![Riot police disperse protesters with tear gas after the outlawed opposition group, The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), called for protests against the ruling Junta in Conakry on October 20, 2022.]()
Riot police disperse protesters with tear gas after the outlawed opposition group, The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), called for protests against the ruling Junta in Conakry on October 20, 2022.
Guinea Cracks Down on Protesters
After promising democratic reforms, the junta is attacking the press and opposition.
![An illustration depicts nobleman Cesare Borgia seated with Niccolò Machiavelli, dated 1898.]()
An illustration depicts nobleman Cesare Borgia seated with Niccolò Machiavelli, dated 1898.
Machiavelli Preferred Democracy to Tyranny
The theorist’s magnum opus wasn’t a blueprint for dictators—it was an ode to institutional constraints on leaders.
![Erdogan Bey, a 70-year-old man wearing a black pinstriped suit and sunglasses, sits on a stool under an umbrella for shade. The Turkish flag hangs from a garage door behind his back.]()
Erdogan Bey, a 70-year-old man wearing a black pinstriped suit and sunglasses, sits on a stool under an umbrella for shade. The Turkish flag hangs from a garage door behind his back.
How Erdogan’s Supporters Are Thinking About the Runoffs
As Turkey's centennial nears, its founding secularism may no longer be in fashion—but nationalism is.
![Children attend an official initiation ceremony for the youth organization Young Pioneers in Moscow's Red Square.]()
Children attend an official initiation ceremony for the youth organization Young Pioneers in Moscow's Red Square.
Russia’s Frighteningly Fascist Youth
A new generation of Russians glorifies war, death, and Vladimir Putin.
![A target depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin is riddled with bullet holes in a shooting range in Lviv, Ukraine, on Feb. 18, 2022.]()
A target depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin is riddled with bullet holes in a shooting range in Lviv, Ukraine, on Feb. 18, 2022.
Russian Guerrillas Are Trying to Violently Overthrow Putin
The Russian president faces a growing threat from his own citizens.
![Escobar and Vucic sit in chairs side by side facing each other flanked by the flags of their respective countries.]()
Escobar and Vucic sit in chairs side by side facing each other flanked by the flags of their respective countries.
How Biden Lost the Balkans
The United States has deepened its commitments to Serbia’s near-autocratic president and reoriented its regional posture to center Belgrade’s foreign-policy priorities.
![A man passes billboards of Nigerian films at a movie theater in Lagos on Feb. 19, 2019.]()
A man passes billboards of Nigerian films at a movie theater in Lagos on Feb. 19, 2019.
The Problem With Comparing Africa to Asia
Greater ethnic diversity, debt burdens, and democratized politics have complicated Africa’s path to development.
![Tunisian former prime minister and Ennahda Islamist party general secretary Ali Laarayedh (C) gives a speech during his first campaign meeting in Tunis on Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Tunisian former prime minister and Ennahda Islamist party general secretary Ali Laarayedh (C) gives a speech during his first campaign meeting in Tunis on Oct. 6, 2014.
Tunisia Doubles Down on Democratic Rollback
Rached Ghannouchi’s arrest and Ali Laarayedh’s imprisonment reveal the extent of Kais Saied’s attack on democracy.
![Indian National Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge (center) and members of parliament of various opposition parties take part in a protest march against the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case in New Delhi on March 24.]()
Indian National Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge (center) and members of parliament of various opposition parties take part in a protest march against the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case in New Delhi on March 24.
Why Does the U.S. Care More About Taiwan’s Democracy Than India’s?
The West’s urge to counter China shouldn’t mean ignoring democratic erosion among its own coalition members.
![Italy's Benito Mussolini salutes during a public address circa 1938.]()
Italy's Benito Mussolini salutes during a public address circa 1938.
Italian Fascists Traded Their Black Shirts for Armani Suits
A new book shows how Mussolini’s political heirs have shaped the country’s identity.
![Peru's new President Dina Boluarte, accompanied by commanders of the Armed Forces, takes part in a ceremony to commemorate the Peruvian Army Day at the esplanade of the Army's headquarters in Lima, on Dec. 9, 2022.]()
Peru's new President Dina Boluarte, accompanied by commanders of the Armed Forces, takes part in a ceremony to commemorate the Peruvian Army Day at the esplanade of the Army's headquarters in Lima, on Dec. 9, 2022.
Peru’s First Female President Has Blood on Her Hands
Dina Boluarte’s term started late last year with plenty of promise—and immediately began to unravel.
![Young men walk in front of a billboard promoting Russian army service.]()
Young men walk in front of a billboard promoting Russian army service.
Putin’s War on Young People
Almost unnoticed, a generation of Russians has come of age during his 23 years in power.
![Exiled Nicaraguans hold a protest vigil against the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in San Jose, Costa Rica, on April 19, 2022.]()
Exiled Nicaraguans hold a protest vigil against the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in San Jose, Costa Rica, on April 19, 2022.
With Russian Support, Nicaragua Smothers Dissent
Managua’s crackdown on free expression is entering a new phase.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov walk as they attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on June 14, 2019.]()
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov walk as they attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on June 14, 2019.
Putin Has Assembled an Axis of Autocrats Against Ukraine
Russia’s war is receiving critical assistance from authoritarian regimes around the world.
![Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin puts on ear phones during a press conference at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on December 2, 2010 after Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup.]()
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin puts on ear phones during a press conference at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on December 2, 2010 after Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup.
Putin’s Russian Critics Are Growing Ever Louder
The most pointed criticisms of the war are coming from those charged with fighting it.
![Tunisian demonstrators raise flags and protest placards as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis, on January 14, 2023, to protest against their president.]()
Tunisian demonstrators raise flags and protest placards as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis, on January 14, 2023, to protest against their president.
Young Tunisians Don’t Trust Kais Saied Anymore
Those who once supported the president and his coup are starting to doubt his ability to rescue the country amid an economic crisis.
![Moviegoers take their pictures in front of a poster of the Bollywood movie "Pathaan" at a cinema hall in Amritsar on January 25, 2023.]()
Moviegoers take their pictures in front of a poster of the Bollywood movie "Pathaan" at a cinema hall in Amritsar on January 25, 2023.
Modi Is Losing His War on Bollywood
Hindu nationalists have met their match in one of India’s most beloved movie stars.
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Erdogan Won by Exploiting Fear
In the midst of uncertainty, people stick with the devil they know.
Guinea Cracks Down on Protesters
After promising democratic reforms, the junta is attacking the press and opposition.
Machiavelli Preferred Democracy to Tyranny
The theorist’s magnum opus wasn’t a blueprint for dictators—it was an ode to institutional constraints on leaders.
How Erdogan’s Supporters Are Thinking About the Runoffs
As Turkey's centennial nears, its founding secularism may no longer be in fashion—but nationalism is.
Russia’s Frighteningly Fascist Youth
A new generation of Russians glorifies war, death, and Vladimir Putin.
Russian Guerrillas Are Trying to Violently Overthrow Putin
The Russian president faces a growing threat from his own citizens.
How Biden Lost the Balkans
The United States has deepened its commitments to Serbia’s near-autocratic president and reoriented its regional posture to center Belgrade’s foreign-policy priorities.
The Problem With Comparing Africa to Asia
Greater ethnic diversity, debt burdens, and democratized politics have complicated Africa’s path to development.
Tunisia Doubles Down on Democratic Rollback
Rached Ghannouchi’s arrest and Ali Laarayedh’s imprisonment reveal the extent of Kais Saied’s attack on democracy.
Why Does the U.S. Care More About Taiwan’s Democracy Than India’s?
The West’s urge to counter China shouldn’t mean ignoring democratic erosion among its own coalition members.
Italian Fascists Traded Their Black Shirts for Armani Suits
A new book shows how Mussolini’s political heirs have shaped the country’s identity.
Peru’s First Female President Has Blood on Her Hands
Dina Boluarte’s term started late last year with plenty of promise—and immediately began to unravel.
Putin’s War on Young People
Almost unnoticed, a generation of Russians has come of age during his 23 years in power.
With Russian Support, Nicaragua Smothers Dissent
Managua’s crackdown on free expression is entering a new phase.
Putin Has Assembled an Axis of Autocrats Against Ukraine
Russia’s war is receiving critical assistance from authoritarian regimes around the world.
Putin’s Russian Critics Are Growing Ever Louder
The most pointed criticisms of the war are coming from those charged with fighting it.
Young Tunisians Don’t Trust Kais Saied Anymore
Those who once supported the president and his coup are starting to doubt his ability to rescue the country amid an economic crisis.
Modi Is Losing His War on Bollywood
Hindu nationalists have met their match in one of India’s most beloved movie stars.
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