Debate: Is Authoritarianism a Right-Wing Problem?
Reason's Robby Soave and Katherine Mangu-Ward debate Zeteo's Mehdi Hasan and Rick Wilson on authoritarianism.
Reason's Katherine Mangu-Ward and Robby Soave debate Zeteo's Mehdi Hasan and The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson on the nature of authoritarianism. This event was filmed on November 10, 2026.
0:00—Comedy skit from Andrew Heaton
7:08—Opening remarks from moderator Peter Suderman
13:06—Opening statement from Hasan
17:30—Opening statement from Mangu-Ward
22:01—Opening statement from Wilson
26:23—Opening statement from Soave
31:30—The most famous right-wing authoritarians
40:00—Packing the Supreme Court of the United States
44:24—The imperial presidency is used by both political parties.
50:07—Destroying free speech on social media
52:30—Gimmick section: How well do the debaters understand authoritarianism?
59:28—Audience questions
1:10:02—Authoritarianism in Latin America
1:23:30—Closing statements from all debaters
1:39:28—Debate final results