MENU

Podcast, Social Justice

Episode 218: Fascist Strongmen — with Ruth Ben-Ghiat

September 12, 2023
Subscribe via:     Soundcloud   Apple Podcasts   Spotify   Google Podcasts   Podyssey   Youtube

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University, joins Am Johal to discuss the pertinent topic of facism and how political figures use and promote the image of “strongmen'' in their pursuit of power.

Am and Ruth explore the modern political environment through Ruth’s book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present, linking the style of Mussolini to politicians like Berlusconi, Orban, and Trump, and the process by which they become more corrupt, more reliant on power, and thereby more reliant on extremists. 

In conjunction with our previous episode with Alberto Toscano, these two episodes give a historical perspective to understanding the rise of facism in the present.

About Our Guest

RUTH BEN-GHIAT

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University.

She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection. Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, examines how illiberal leaders use corruption, violence, propaganda, and machismo to stay in power, and how resistance to them has unfolded over a century.

Cite This Episode

Chicago Style

Johal, Am. “Fascist Strongmen — with Ruth Ben-Ghiat.” Below the Radar, SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement. Podcast audio, September 12, 2023. https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/episodes/218-ruth-ben-ghiat.html.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
SMS
Email
Copy

Stay Up to Date

Get the latest on upcoming events by subscribing to our newsletter below.