Abstract
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In his book ‘La Revancha de los poderosos’, Moisés Naím reflects on the threats looming over free societies and suggests ways to protect them.
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The book discusses how autocrats around the world, regardless of their political ideology, use populism, polarization, and post-truth to gain, exercise, and maintain unlimited power.
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This article delves into the details of Naím’s analysis and its implications.
In his insightful book ‘La Revancha de los poderosos’, Moisés Naím offers a deep reflection on the threats that free societies face today and suggests potential paths to protect them. He analyzes how autocrats, irrespective of their political ideology, use a formula of populism, polarization, and post-truth to gain, exercise, and maintain unlimited power.
Autocrats: The Power Seekers
Autocrats are not differentiated by their position on the political spectrum, whether on the right or left. Instead, they are recognized by their desire to occupy the highest possible position of power. They are not as blatant as traditional dictators, like those in North Korea, for instance. They differ from old-school dictatorships, like the Cuban one, because they try to maintain appearances.
The Power of Money
Autocrats plunder public coffers not only to enrich themselves but also to consolidate their power. They keep the military happy, buy support, keep journalists docile, and build international financial networks. Naím exemplifies the use of money as a power tool in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Putin understood that the anarchy of the 90s in Moscow, where business magnates acted as if they were the law, was not conducive to consolidating his power.
The Battles to Fight
In his essay, Naím develops, argues, and exemplifies the actions of the powerful around the world, including large companies like Google or Facebook. He talks about anti-politics, rogue states, and the globalization of autocracies, and also reviews how the pandemic served as an excuse for autocracies to consolidate their power and increase civil restrictions.
Conclusion
In ‘La revanche de los poderosos’, Moisés Naím offers a profound reflection on the threats that free societies face today and suggests potential paths to protect them. His analysis of how autocrats use populism, polarization, and post-truth to gain, exercise, and maintain unlimited power provides valuable insights into the challenges of preserving democracy in the face of rising autocracy.