Benito Mussolini took power in Italy in 1922 and declared it "Year One" of a new era. More than a century later, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat says strongmen are still following his playbook.
On this episode, we talk with Ben-Ghiat, a leading expert on fascism, authoritarianism and threats to democracy. She spoke at Iowa State University on October 26 as part of their America @ 250 lecture series.
Ben-Ghiat 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.
Guest:
- Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author, professor of history and Italian studies, New York University
