Autocracy, Inc

We often picture autocratic states as cartoonish worlds led by a single villain. However, the reality in the 21st century is starkly different. Modern autocracies operate through intricate networks involving kleptocratic finances, security services, and skilled propagandists. These networks aren't confined within a single nation; they extend across borders, linking corrupt, state-run enterprises from various dictatorships. Police forces in one authoritarian regime might provide arms and training to those in another, while propagandists pool resources like troll farms to amplify each other’s messages. These alliances don’t resemble traditional military or political blocs but rather function like a business entity, "Autocracy, Inc." Their connections are transactional, easily crossing ideological and cultural boundaries. The only unifying belief is their animosity towards democratic societies and a shared aim to destabilize our political systems and values. This book delves into the origins of their shared worldview, its persistence, and the unintended roles democratic nations play in its strengthening, while offering insights on ways to challenge it.