Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

ICYMI: Anne Applebaum — How Autocrats Rise and Democracies Fall

2025-12-01

One of the most essential conversations we’ve had — on authoritarianism, influence campaigns, and what it takes to defend democracy. In this ICYMI release, Corey revisits his conversation with Anne Applebaum — Pulitzer Prize–winning historian, staff writer at The Atlantic, and one of the world’s leading experts on modern authoritarianism. Anne explains how autocrats collaborate across borders, why propaganda spreads so easily, how economic complicity in the West has empowered illiberal regimes, and what ordinary citizens can actually do to strengthen democratic culture.

One of the most essential conversations we’ve had — on authoritarianism, influence campaigns, and what it takes to defend democracy.

In this ICYMI release, Corey revisits his conversation with Anne Applebaum — Pulitzer Prize–winning historian, staff writer at The Atlantic, and one of the world’s leading experts on modern authoritarianism.

Anne explains how autocrats collaborate across borders, why propaganda spreads so easily, how economic complicity in the West has empowered illiberal regimes, and what ordinary citizens can actually do to strengthen democratic culture.

If you’re new to TP&R thanks to Podbean, Overcast or were recommended this program by a friend, this conversation is the perfect introduction: rigorous, accessible, global in scope, and grounded in the belief that democratic values are worth defending.

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⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics

[00:00] Corey welcomes new listeners & frames the ICYMI series
[00:02] Anne’s path from studying history to analyzing modern authoritarianism
[00:08] How Russia, China, Iran, and others collaborate in “Autocracy, Inc.”
[00:15] Why propaganda works — and how autocrats weaponize fear
[00:22] Western financial and technological complicity
[00:28] Ukraine, disinformation, and why this moment is globally defining
[00:36] How everyday people can defend democratic culture

🧠 Key Takeaways

Authoritarianism is a network. Modern autocrats copy one another’s tactics and often cooperate.
Propaganda targets identity, not facts. Fear and belonging drive political behavior more than information.
Democratic decline isn’t inevitable. Transparency, civic courage, and local engagement matter.
The fight begins at home. Repairing democratic culture starts with relationships, curiosity, and shared work.

💬 Notable Quotes