Historian explores propaganda, corruption in 'strongman' rulers

Podcast: River to River · Iowa Public Radio

Opublikowano: 2026-10-27

On this episode, we talk with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a leading expert on fascism, authoritarianism and threats to democracy. She teaches history at New York University and is the author of 'Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present.' She describes how strongmen from Silvio Berlusconi to Vladimir Putin have adapted Mussolini’s playbook — propaganda, corruption, violence, and a carefully staged image of manly strength.