The Far Right Is Powered by Left-Wing Illiberalism and Hypocrisy
The left has to accept that it shares blame for our current political mess.
Authoritarianism
Bill of Rights Day: How Your Rights Keep Authoritarianism in Check
The document remains remarkably resilient, even as Republicans and Democrats keep launching assaults on liberty.
Mamdani and Trump Getting Chummy Is America's 'Horseshoe Theory' Nightmare
When the so-called "communist lunatic" and the so-called "fascist" find common ground, it means the country needs an intervention.
The 'Free' World Is Coming for Your Private Messages
Nobody expects China or Iran to protect privacy. But as seen in the European debate over chat control, even nominally free countries are becoming intrusive when it comes to the digital world.
Uncle Sam Makes Thanksgiving Worse
We have many things to be grateful for this time of year. The government isn't one of them.
The Pentagon and the FBI Are Investigating 6 Legislators for Exercising Their First Amendment Rights
The Trump administration is desperately trying to criminalize a video noting that service members have no obligation to follow unlawful orders.
Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump Prove That There Are Two Paths Toward Socialism
As fans of horseshoe theory point out, the political extremes might differ on details, but they have a lot in common.
Trump's Habitual Charges of 'Treason' Reflect His Authoritarian Impulses
The president’s reaction to a supposedly "seditious" video illustrates his tendency to portray criticism of him as a crime.
Trump Says Legislators Committed Treason by Noting That Soldiers Are Not Obligated To Obey Unlawful Orders
The president's authoritarian response to a video posted by six members of Congress, who he says "should be arrested and put on trial," validates their concerns.
A Nostalgic Read for Foreign Policy Elites
Michael McFaul's new book feels like it was written in 2015, not 2025.
Merkley's Marathon Address Decried Trump's 'Authoritarian Grip'—But Executive Overreach Didn't Start With Him
Trump’s presidency may have amplified executive power, but unless lawmakers roll back those powers—and the bloated government behind them—the next administration will do the same.
Economic Freedom Begins Recovery From COVID-Era Government Meddling
Authoritarian pandemic policy made the world poorer and less free.
The American New Right Looks Like the European Old Right
When conservatives reject constitutional limits on executive power and foment civil conflict, what exactly are they conserving?
The Long Walk Is a Harrowing Take on State Power
It’s about an authoritarian government, not the demands of capitalism.
Americans Don't Actually Like Trump's Bad Guy Posturing on Immigration and the Military
Shows of force and mass deportations play well to the base, but they’re falling flat with the public.
Trump Keeps Casting Himself as the Bad Guy
From Apocalypse Now memes to a re-named War Department, the second Trump administration is in love with authoritarian aesthetics.
The Anti-Lockdown Imposters of the New Right
Today’s MAGA intellectuals rail against COVID restrictions, but in 2020 many cheered them on—or demanded even harsher crackdowns.
Trump Is Embracing the Same Economic Populism That Destroyed Argentina
Perónism: the one import that Trump likes.
Firing BLS Director Over Weak Jobs Report Is 'Banana Republic' Behavior
If a Democratic president tried to so directly politicize an independent agency, Republicans would be screaming about the coming tyranny.
Review: What the Hell Is a 'Libertarian Authoritarian'?
Offended Freedom categorizes perfectly understandable anger at government overreach as inherently "authoritarian."
More Than 1,800 'No Kings' Protests Aim for Nonviolent Pushback Against Trump Policies
The coalition’s national press coordinator says, “We’re all dedicated to championing the cause of nonviolence—not just because it’s moral, but because it’s more effective.”
Trump's Threats Against Musk and Newsom Reflect an Authoritarian Intolerance of Dissent
Even if the president was joking in both cases, he already has used his powers to punish people whose views offend him.
The Taliban Banned Chess
Since retaking power, the Taliban has banned certain music, barred women from parks, and now outlawed chess. Authoritarians don’t just crush dissent—they criminalize joy.
J.D. Vance Wants a Free Market for Crypto. What About Everything Else?
Vance says "you've gotta let these people make decisions on their own." He should try that approach more generally.
He Escaped North Korea—Twice. Now He Warns People About Socialism.
"Just go to North Korea for 10 days and you'll know how bad it is," says Charles Ryu.
Michael Beckley: China Is Dangerously Weak
The Danger Zone co-author joins the show to discuss China's peaking power, and why that actually makes them more dangerous.
Review: Authoritarianism Backfires in the Latest Dune Installment
In Max's Dune: Prophecy, even the power to predict others' actions can't tame the chaos of free will.
Ksenia Karelina, Imprisoned in Russia for Donating $51 to a Pro-Ukraine Charity, Is Freed
The American citizen had been sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for treason.
Brazil Sentenced a Woman to 14 Years for Lipstick Graffiti
Débora Albuquerque scrawled “You lost, dude” on a statue. Now she’s being treated like a national security threat.
Rise of the 'Constitutional Sheriffs'
Two new books dissect the "constitutional sheriffs" movement, which seeks to nullify laws adherents see as unconstitutional.
Covering for Their Own Failures, U.K. Officials Blame Violent Crime on Access to Knives
Politicians who’ve dropped the ball inevitably see the solution as reducing people's freedom.
Nicaragua's Regime Wages War on Religious Freedom
President Daniel Ortega's crackdown on religion is part of a broader attack on civil liberties.
Venezuela's Maduro Begins Third Term Amid Contested Election
President-elect Edmundo González has vowed to challenge Maduro's grip on power.
South Korea Avoids a Return to the Bad Old Days
President Yoon Suk Yeol tried to go down a path trodden by past South Korean military dictators. The Korean people wouldn’t let him.
Russian Court Denies Appeal of U.S. Citizen Sentenced to 12 Years for Donating $51 to Pro-Ukraine Charity
Ksenia Karelina was prosecuted as part of a larger “treason” crackdown that is unprecedented even by Russia’s illiberal standards.
Trump Has Many Grudges. Now He Has a Chance To Act on Them.
In his second term, the former and future president will have more freedom to follow his worst instincts.
Vance Downplays Trump's Promises To Use 'Lawfare' Against His Opponents
The vice presidential hopeful displayed his dishonesty on Joe Rogan's podcast last week.
Trump's Critics Keep Undermining Their Case by Lying About Stuff He Supposedly Said
Trump criticized Liz Cheney's interventionism. He did not say she should "go before a firing squad."
Halloween Is a Middle Finger to Communists
China's crackdown on costumes is a reminder that the holiday is about freedom.
Trump Is Not Thoughtful Enough To Be a Fascist
The Republican presidential candidate’s views do not reflect any unifying principle other than self-interest.
Trump Thinks News Outlets Should Lose Their Broadcast Licenses, Even When They Have None
Despite his cluelessness, the former president's inclination to punish constitutionally protected speech reflects his authoritarian disregard for civil liberties.
No Prosperity Without Economic and Political Liberty
Three American economists win Nobel Economics Prize for showing how free markets and democratic governance engender prosperity.
No, Trump Did Not Endorse a Military Assault on People 'Simply Because They Oppose His Candidacy'
The former president's authoritarian tendencies are alarming enough without inventing new outrages.
Venezuela's Post-Election Crackdown Was Filled With Human Rights Abuses
The U.N. has documented killings, forced disappearances, and torture.
Frederic Jameson: Beloved Authoritarian
His famous erudition was attached to his nightmare politics.
Venezuela Opposition Leader Forced To Sign Letter Backing Maduro
"Either I signed or I would face consequences," Edmundo González said.
Voters' Yearning for a Dictator Is a Danger to the Country
Contrary to public desires, the presidency should be far less powerful.
'Sometimes You Need a Strongman,' Trump Declares
The former president's attempts to put a positive spin on the term are consistent with his alarmingly authoritarian instincts.
