RUTH BEN-GHIAT: How do we create a values-led politic from this mess?

RUTH BEN-GHIAT: How do we create a values-led politic from this mess?

From Wild with Sarah Wilson by Sarah Wilson

May 26, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 208

About this episode

Ruth Ben-Ghiat discusses how societies can create a values-led politic in the face of tyranny.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat (historian of fascism +NYT bestselling author of Strongmen) is an internationally recognised expert in how psychologically unstable men come to power and use corruption, sexual predation, staged victimhood and violence to rule. She’s recently, however, turned her focus to how societies subjected to such tyranny have survived and fought back…using moral authority. Ruth is an American history professor at New York University and a political commentator with an expertise in fascism and authoritarian leaders. Her 2020 book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present was a global bestseller. She publishes the hugely popular Substack  Lucid , a newsletter on threats to democracy and will publish her next book, Resisting Autocracy: What History Teaches About Fighting Back, next year. SHOW NOTES Be sure to check out her Substack Lucid Purchase Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present here You can catch up on the Ece Temelkuran episode here This episode with Lindsey Stonebridge on Hannah Arendt’s ideas on resistance might also interest you ----- Watch on YouTube or Substack If you need to know a bit more about me… head to my " about " page For more such conversations…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Wilson

Guest: Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Topics covered

  • fascism
  • authoritarianism
  • political commentary
  • moral authority
  • resistance
  • democracy

Keywords

  • fascism
  • tyranny
  • political authority
  • democracy
  • resistance
  • Strongmen
  • Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York University, Substack, Acast

Books & works: Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, Resisting Autocracy: What History Teaches About Fighting Back

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