A Chilling Portrait of Modern Authoritarianism
In the shadowy corridors of power that crisscross our globalized world, a new beast is stirring. It’s not the cartoon villain of Cold War propaganda, twirling a mustache while plotting world domination. No, this monster is far more insidious – a hydra-headed network of kleptocrats, propagandists, and security services that has learned to thrive in the interconnected 21st century. In her latest tour de force, “Autocracy, Inc.,” Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Applebaum pulls back the curtain on this evolving threat to democracy, revealing a world where dictators have become savvy international businessmen and ideological lines blur in pursuit of power and wealth.
The Rise of Transnational Authoritarianism
Applebaum, known for her deep dives into the history of totalitarianism in works like “Gulag” and “Iron Curtain,” brings her considerable analytical skills to bear on the present day. She argues convincingly that we’ve entered a new era of autocracy—one where dictators no longer need to rely solely on brute force or a single state ideology to maintain control. Instead, they’ve created a kind of “Autocracy, Inc.”—a loose network of regimes that share tactics, technology, and a common goal of undermining democratic norms both at home and abroad.
The author takes us on a globe-spanning journey, from the gilded palaces of Russian oligarchs to the bustling ports of Venezuela, showing how these autocratic networks operate. She details how kleptocratic financial structures allow corrupt leaders to siphon off national wealth, how security services share surveillance technology and repression tactics, and how professional propagandists coordinate their efforts to spread disinformation across borders.
The Greed That Binds: Kleptocracy as a System
One of the book’s most chilling insights is how thoroughly modern autocracies have merged with global capitalism. Applebaum demonstrates that it’s not just about individual dictators enriching themselves (though there’s plenty of that). Rather, kleptocracy has become a system—a way of governing that relies on corruption and theft to build loyalty and maintain power.
The author provides jaw-dropping examples:
- Russian oligarchs buying up prime real estate in London and New York
- Venezuelan officials laundering billions through elaborate international schemes
- Chinese companies exporting surveillance tech to aspiring dictators worldwide
Applebaum argues that Western financial institutions and law firms are often complicit in these schemes, either through willful ignorance or active participation. This creates a web of mutual interest between autocrats and certain elements of the democratic world, making it harder to combat the threat.
The Information War: Propaganda Goes Global
Another crucial element of “Autocracy, Inc.” by Anne Applebaum is its sophisticated approach to propaganda and information control. Applebaum details how regimes like Russia and China have moved beyond simply censoring their own populations. They now actively work to shape global narratives, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and sow division in open societies.
The author provides fascinating case studies:
- Russian troll farms targeting elections in multiple countries
- China’s efforts to control narratives about Hong Kong and Xinjiang
- The way autocratic regimes amplify each other’s messaging on issues like COVID-19
Applebaum’s background as a journalist shines through in her dissection of these tactics. She shows how autocracies have learned to exploit the weaknesses of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, flooding the zone with disinformation and making it harder for citizens to discern truth from fiction.
The Erosion of International Norms
One of the most alarming trends Applebaum identifies is the way autocracies are working together to rewrite the rules of the international order. She argues that regimes like China and Russia are no longer content to simply flout human rights norms or ignore international law. They’re actively trying to create alternative systems and institutions that enshrine their autocratic values.
Examples include:
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative as a tool for exporting autocratic governance
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an alternative to Western-led alliances
- Efforts to redefine concepts like “sovereignty” to shield regimes from criticism
Applebaum makes a compelling case that this isn’t just about these specific autocracies. It’s a broader assault on the very idea of universal values and human rights. The author argues that if left unchecked, this trend could fundamentally reshape the global order in ways deeply hostile to democracy.
A Call to Action: Defending Democracy
While “Autocracy, Inc.” paints a sobering picture, Anne Applebaum doesn’t leave readers without hope. The final section of the book is a rallying cry for democratic nations to recognize the threat and take coordinated action to combat it. She offers concrete policy suggestions, including:
- Cracking down on anonymous shell companies and illicit financial flows
- Investing in independent media and digital literacy programs
- Strengthening alliances between democracies to counter autocratic influence
Applebaum argues that defending democracy will require more than just government action. She calls for a whole-of-society approach, with businesses, civil society organizations, and individual citizens all playing a role.
Applebaum’s Masterful Synthesis
What sets “Autocracy, Inc.” apart is Anne Applebaum’s ability to connect the dots between seemingly disparate events and trends. She draws on her deep knowledge of history, her journalistic instincts, and her extensive network of sources to paint a comprehensive picture of the autocratic threat.
The author’s prose is crisp and engaging, making complex geopolitical concepts accessible to a general audience. She has a knack for illustrating big ideas with vivid anecdotes and character sketches. Whether she’s describing the opulent lifestyle of a Russian oligarch or the brave defiance of a Venezuelan dissident, Applebaum brings her subjects to life on the page.
A Few Criticisms
While “Autocracy, Inc.” is a tour de force, it’s not without its flaws:
- At times, Applebaum’s focus on the threat of autocracy can feel alarmist. Some readers might argue that she underplays the resilience of democratic institutions.
- The book’s global scope means that some regions and countries receive less in-depth treatment than others.
- Applebaum’s proposed solutions, while thoughtful, sometimes feel insufficient given the scale of the challenge she describes.
A Vital Read for Our Times
These minor quibbles aside, “Autocracy, Inc.” by Anne Applebaum is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the challenges facing democracy in the 21st century. Applebaum has produced a work that is at once deeply researched, analytically rigorous, and compulsively readable.
The book builds on themes explored in her previous work, particularly “Twilight of Democracy,” but takes a more global and systemic view of the autocratic threat. Readers familiar with other recent books on the subject, such as Moisés NaÃm’s “The Revenge of Power” or Timothy Snyder’s “The Road to Unfreedom,” will find Applebaum’s analysis complementary but distinct.
Final Thoughts: Knowledge as the First Line of Defense
In an age of information overload and deliberate disinformation, books like “Autocracy, Inc.” serve as crucial beacons of clarity. Applebaum’s work reminds us that understanding the nature of the threat is the first step in mounting an effective defense.
As I closed the final pages, I found myself both sobered by the challenges we face and reinvigorated in my commitment to democratic values. Applebaum has given us a roadmap for navigating the treacherous waters of 21st-century geopolitics. It’s up to us to heed her warnings and take up the fight for democracy’s future.
In a Nutshell
- Strengths: Comprehensive analysis, engaging prose, global scope
- Weaknesses: Occasional alarmism, uneven regional coverage
- Ideal for: Political junkies, concerned citizens, policymakers
- Key Takeaway: Modern autocracy is a networked, global threat that requires a coordinated response from democracies worldwide
“Autocracy, Inc.” by Anne Applebaum is a wake-up call, a masterclass in geopolitical analysis, and a rallying cry for defenders of democracy. In short, it’s exactly the book we need for these turbulent times.