For the first time in 20 years, 91 autocracies outnumber 88 democracies, with 72% of the world’s population now living under autocratic rule.

Learn about the “why” and “how” of autocracies rising. Read this intro to my new series of posts, A Playbook for Autocrats.
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Is Trump 2.0 building a fascist government? Author DiMaaggio’s warning is as true today as it was in 2021. Read this book review about how fascism came to America.
#politics
#bookreview
unpuzzling.me/life_puzzles...

How can we achieve stability through change? This is a puzzle (koan) for your self-identity, your relationships, and our politics.

unpuzzling.me/life_puzzles...

Check out my long list of Trump’s business failings. You know this story, but as Trump takes apart our democracy, it’s a story worth retelling.

Is this a man you can trust with the American and world economies? Without resistance, liberal values are in deep trouble.

unpuzzling.me/life_puzzles...

If there is one book that illuminates the lethal trajectory of Donald Trump’s second U.S. presidency (Trump 2.0), it is Applebaum’s Autocracy, Inc.

Read my in-depth review of this book that is so relevant to the debacle of Trump 2.0.

#trump2.0
#politics
#dictators

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Are you struggling to make sense of what Trump 2.0 is trying to accomplish?

Read my post - Playbook For America, Inc. – an outline for making sense of an autocrat tornado.

The Playbook is part of my free newsletter, Dispatches From America, Inc.
#politics
#Trump2.0
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Donald Trump doesn’t like the title “President.” He prefers “King.”

America is his Golden Goose. Geographic expansion and the graft of other nations’ mineral rights will make the goose fatter.

Welcome to the making of America, Inc. Read about how this is happening.
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Hitler destroyed German democracy by using lawyers to exploit and leverage every weakness in German constitutional law. He did this in 53 days.

Don't think it can't happen in the U.S. under a MAGA Trump-Musk administration.

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Have you ever wondered how awful nobodies become shitty leaders with a lot of power?

No one can be a leader without followers. The real mystery is why people believe toxic nobodies who make false promises that destroy their way of life.

Why do followers follow?

unpuzzling.me/life_puzzles...

Voting for a politician is not a rational decision – but it's not irrational. It’s emotional.

Liberals promise to make life better in five years. Autocrats tell lies and scare the shit out of you today.

Look for the lies. Read about gut messaging in politics.

unpuzzling.me/life_puzzles...

Of the 14 past U.S. presidents in this chart, Trump is the only one who speaks at the level of a 4th grader. Does this have something to do with his popular appeal?

#literacy

d.newsweek.com/en/full/7743...

Liberty is just another name for how we treat one another. We all have own rules for relating to partners, friends, co-workers, as well as people who are not like us.

Most social rules boil down to two flavors: “me-first” or “we-together.” Which do you prefer?

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I write book reviews that lighten heavy topics. #Booksky

This book explores the path that nations follow as they march away from democracy and toward authoritarian governments (now known as populism).

Preserve democracy by learning how we lose democracy.

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Globally, democracy is threatened by an increase in authoritarian governments. Autocrats offer simple solutions to complex problems. Some people find these simplistic solutions attractive.

To fool the people, autocrats don't want you to ask too many questions.

unpuzzling.me/life_puzzles...