Book SummaryAutocracy, Inc., by Anne Applebaum

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Autocracy, Inc.

The term often used to describe the rise of a global coalition of authoritarian regimes is "Autocracy, Inc."

In "Autocracy, Inc.," the writer presents an alarming analysis of the increasing collaboration among global authoritarian regimes. Applebaum suggests that these authoritarian regimes collaborate, creating a complex global network that supports each other, spreads autocratic tactics, and undermines the foundations and framework of democratic institutions worldwide.

A broad coalition has been established by autocratic states to bolster their own governments and to erode democratic principles.

This section describes the comprehensive network of autocratic collaboration and the specific techniques by which these regimes offer each other support. Support is provided in various forms, including economic and defense aid, along with supplying surveillance technology and methods for spreading information. These governments, regardless of their ideological differences, are collectively focused on preserving their power while eroding the principles of democracy.

Autocratic leaders collaborate internationally, exchanging tactics, funding, and resources to maintain their control.

Applebaum presents compelling examples of how autocratic regimes collaborate across borders. She highlights Belarus, a country under the governance of the widely denounced leader Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus, despite facing worldwide criticism, persists in sustaining its global ties. The entity referred to as "Autocracy, Inc." fortifies its dominance with support in the realms of economy and international relations from nations including China, Iran, and Cuba. Russia is crucial in maintaining Lukashenko's regime, providing economic benefits, financial aid, and vital backing via its agencies responsible for security and espionage. Belarus has allowed Russian troops and weaponry to be stationed within its borders, which were then employed in the attack on Ukraine. Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela likewise gains from the backing this partnership offers. Even though Western nations have enacted sanctions, the Maduro administration continues to receive support from countries like Russia, China, and Iran. These countries provide economic assistance and investments to bolster the energy sector, in addition to offering security guidance and technology aimed at suppressing dissent.

Other Perspectives

• Some autocratic leaders may engage more in a form of patron-client relationships rather than true collaboration, with one side providing the majority of support to maintain influence over the other.
• The criticism Belarus faces has led to a degree of international isolation, which constrains the depth and breadth of its global ties.
• The idea of collaboration among autocratic leaders might ignore the internal pressures and dynamics within each country that could limit or shape the nature of international cooperation.
• The characterization of Russia's support as crucial may not account for the possibility that Lukashenko's regime could sustain itself through other means or with support from other international actors.
• It could be suggested that the presence of Russian military assets in Belarus is a defensive...

Autocracy, Inc. Summary The erosion of democratic values is a hallmark of kleptocracy, accompanied by rampant financial misconduct.

Applebaum dedicates a significant portion of her book to scrutinizing the intricate link between the prevalence of entrenched corruption and autocratic governance. She argues that leaders of such autocratic regimes have not only implemented methods to suppress dissent but also devised intricate economic schemes to increase their own wealth and that of their allies, to the great detriment of their citizens. Kleptocracies' widespread corruption not only depletes the wealth of their citizens but also erodes democratic institutions and values globally.

Leaders and their close associates have established systems of kleptocracy that serve to increase their wealth to the detriment of the populace.

Applebaum sheds light on how kleptocratic governance operates. A specific group of influential people uses their political influence to accumulate wealth by engaging in dishonest behavior, misappropriating funds, and exploiting governmental assets. The author depicts a modern nation beset with dishonest practices by examining the period governed by Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin.

Putin and Chavez not only allowed but also encouraged widespread misappropriation and dishonest...

Autocracy, Inc. Summary Autocracies implement tactics to control the conversation and diminish the reputation of their democratic counterparts.

Applebaum examines how these regimes strategize their control over information. She argues that autocracies not only have sophisticated methods for suppressing and managing information within their territories but also for disseminating their viewpoints globally, which challenges the position of democracy advocates. The techniques used include establishing comprehensive digital surveillance systems, coordinating disinformation campaigns, launching defamatory assaults on opponents, and occasionally resorting to acts of violence.

Autocracies have evolved complex strategies to oversee, suppress, and influence information.

Applebaum elaborates on the methods contemporary autocracies employ to distort information. They employ a blend of sophisticated monitoring and oppression methods, in addition to conventional strategies for disseminating their ideology and maintaining dominance. This control not only limits accessible information but also molds public conversation through deliberate coordination of online harassment and strategic defamation efforts.

Autocracies have established a comprehensive mechanism to oversee and regulate online discourse, ensuring governance over...

Autocracy, Inc. Summary The worldwide framework is declining as a result of widespread efforts to stifle opposition and control the dissemination of information.

Applebaum suggests that autocratic governments collaborate to erode the liberal international order established after World War II. The fundamental threat to these regimes, which operate without any form of accountability, stems from an international system that upholds democratic values, human rights safeguards, and adherence to legal principles. Applebaum argues that autocratic rulers intentionally erode the foundations of worldwide organizations, altering the language associated with global legal standards, and use "transnational aggression" to suppress and silence their critics outside their own countries. These measures constitute a direct challenge to the core tenets that have historically underpinned worldwide equilibrium.

Since the conclusion of World War II, autocratic regimes have deliberately eroded the foundations and structures that are pivotal to the liberal order.

This section of the text delves into the tactics used by authoritarian regimes to weaken the foundational framework of the liberal international order. Applebaum explains that autocrats utilize tactics that involve manipulating the language of international bodies, undermining the principles of...