Review of Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Rule the World by Anne Applebaum (Penguin 2024)
By Tibor Dessewffy, Director of the Digital Sociology Research Center at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest and a council member of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
The New Face of Autocracy
In *Autocracy, Inc.* Anne Applebaum presents a meticulously researched and engaging analysis of the rise and function of modern autocracies. Her central argument is compelling: today's autocratic regimes are not isolated tyrannies but interconnected entities that share strategies, support each other, and collectively undermine democratic norms worldwide. Applebaum illustrates how authoritarianism has woven a global network of cooperation, resembling the operations of a multinational corporation. This network is the backbone of *Autocracy, Inc.*, where autocrats collaborate and support each other to maintain power.
Modern Adaptations of Autocracies
"Applebaum's principal thesis is that autocracies are not relics of the 20th century but have adapted to the 21st century, leveraging globalization and technological advancements to entrench their power. "
Modern autocrats exploit digital techniques and human vulnerabilities with ruthless efficiency. For instance, they employ a full repertoire of digital disinformation tactics, including typosquatting—a surprisingly primitive technique at first glance. They create websites that closely mimic legitimate news sources—like Reuters.cfd instead of Reuters.com or Spiegel.pr instead of Spiegel.de—to spread propaganda effectively. These seemingly credible sources flood social media with pro-Russian material, consumed and shared by unsuspecting users. John Simpson, a veteran BBC expert, cited a fake press release alleging NATO would deploy Ukrainian troops in France to handle protests over raising the retirement age. Despite its blatant falsehood, this misinformation led to real-world unrest, injuries, and casualties. One can add everyday new examples from the news to these misinformation-based upheavals, exemplifying how by minor media hacks modern autocrats manipulate digital media spaces and may destruct democratic public spheres. Indeed, this is exactly what they intend to do with firm determination and unlimited resources.
Technological Manipulation and Media Control
A central theme in Applebaum's narrative is the strategic use of technology by autocratic regimes. An example is the deployment of the Pegasus spyware in Poland, where the Law and Justice Party used it against political opponents and critics in 2022, including Applebaum's friends and colleagues. She details how these governments utilize advanced surveillance technologies to monitor the populace and suppress dissent. Chinese tech companies like Huawei have exported their surveillance and AI systems globally under the guise of "safe city technology." Countries like Pakistan, Brazil, Mexico, Serbia, South Africa, and Turkey have bought these systems, initially designed to improve traffic and combat crime. Malaysian security services acquired AI technology to match real-time camera images with central database pictures, while Singapore installed facial recognition cameras on every lamppost. This technological dominance extends to propaganda, with state-controlled media and social media platforms shaping public opinion (e.g., typosquatting) and suppressing opposition. Applebaum demonstrates how information manipulation becomes a crucial tool, enabling autocrats to create the illusion of omnipotence and legitimacy.
Psychological Manipulation and Nationalism
Autocrats use fear, dependency, and the illusion of omnipresence to control the populace. They exploit nationalism and identity politics to unite people against perceived external and internal threats, diverting attention from internal problems. For instance, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán deflects debates on his government's corruption by exploiting cultural and social issues that serve his interests. He frames tensions with the West as religious and gender based while the underlying causes lie in deep financial and political ties with Russia and China. This manipulation of collective identity serves not only to consolidate power but also to justify repressive measures. Applebaum's analysis reveals the insidious methods autocrats use to maintain control over people's minds and hearts.
Here, as in the entire book, Applebaum deftly navigates the continuity and discontinuity of authoritarian practices. It is chilling how relevant Havel's often-quoted parable from the eighties remains today about why a grocery shop owner is willing to put communist slogans next to onions and potatoes. Submission, self-interest, retreat into the private sphere, and turning away from public affairs, along with disdain for those who oppose the regime—this is the optimal social atmosphere for autocrats. The new development is that, in the age of social media, Havel's greengrocer can amplify and accelerate the message to an unprecedented extent, as demonstrated by the appearance of the Arabic hashtag "We all trust in Mohammed bin Salman" more than 1.1 million times in the wake of Khashoggi's murder.
Greed, Corruption, and Economic Influence
These modern autocrats also embrace a pragmatic and openly wealth-driven approach. Unlike past fascist and communist leaders who often hid their personal greed behind ideological facades, the leaders of *Autocracy, Inc.* flaunt their opulence. They maintain luxurious residences and organize much of their collaboration as profit-oriented ventures. Their alliances, whether with each other or with allies in the democratic world, are based on mutual material benefits—such as deals aimed at evading sanctions, exchanging surveillance technology, and increasing personal wealth.
Applebaum examines in depth how these regimes exploit economic opportunities both domestically and internationally to consolidate power. Through state-owned enterprises and crony capitalism, autocrats create loyal networks loyal and financially profitprofiting from the regime's stability. This economic influence extends beyond borders, forming alliances and dependencies that advance their interests and shield them from external pressures. Applebaum shows how the global financial system becomes a playground for autocrats, allowing them to accumulate wealth and influence with relative impunity.
Diplomatic Manoeuvres and Alliances
The diplomatic innovation of modern autocrats, who disregard old democratic rules, is another focal point. By forging strategic alliances with other authoritarian leaders, these regimes create a supportive network that provides political backing and economic cooperation. This mutual support system aims not only at survival but also at extending influence.
"On international forums, autocrats support each other, undermining democratic norms and institutions. Applebaum highlights how these alliances empty and hinder democratic countries' efforts to pressure autocratic regimes."
Legal and Political Manipulation
Manipulating legal and political systems is a hallmark of autocratic regimes, which Applebaum critiques sharply. By rigging elections, amending constitutions, and ensuring the loyalty of key institutions, autocrats create a facade of legality that masks their authoritarianism. Courts, instead of being independent arbiters, often become tools of oppression; attorney generals are loyal to the strongman, not the words of the law. Applebaum's analysis is particularly insightful here, showing how these legal manipulations create an environment where dissent is not only suppressed but criminalized.
The Role of Democracies and International Institutions
Applebaum thoroughly examines the role of democracies and international institutions in curbing the spread of autocracies, calling for greater unity and closer cooperation among democratic nations. She emphasizes the necessity of a coordinated and proactive approach. However, at this point, the reader might experience a strong sense of something missing. Applebaum, in a manner not uncommon among American foreign policy experts, paints a rather black-and-white picture. She meticulously details the complexity and operations of autocratic networks but fails to address the deep-rooted problems of the other side. This silence and one-sided focus come at a high cost from moral, intellectual, and political perspectives alike.
As one reads the book, the world of Star Wars comes to mind, where the forces of darkness battle the democratic Jedi knights. It is telling that in the fifth chapter, Applebaum compares the practices of autocratic governments with the Declaration of Human Rights through a fictional lens, not with the practices of the West. Yet, if we follow the events of the past decades or even months, we see that the democratic West also handles these human rights quite selectively. Consider the Iraq War, the continuous support of Saudi Arabia before and after 9/11, the chillingly documented murder of Jamal Khashoggi. It is also bizarre that Netanyahu and the atrocities committed against the Palestinians are not mentioned in the book. Applebaum would likely invoke realism and the "dirty hands" political-philosophical dilemma, suggesting that the West sometimes needs to commit morally unacceptable acts and support allies to preserve its ideals.
To be fair: the opening chapter of the book, "Greed That Blinds," touches on the topic, primarily focusing on the German and EU policies of fostering friendly relations based on the import of cheap Russian energy and highlighting a few cases of Russian corruption. However, the book lacks any discussion of the golden age of U.S.-China economic relations between 1994 and 2014—just as it omits how the giants of Silicon Valley, from Elon Musk to Tim Cook, from Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg, scrambled to establish special friendly ties with China, even as the severe violations of human and minority rights were well-known throughout.
There is no doubt that compared to Putin's Russia or the Turkic Council, the USA and the EU represent a better alternative from the democratic ideas point of view—but the West is still quite far from the spirit of the Jedi knights. In light of these actions, the argument for human rights as a moral absolute, in reality, does not hold. If we move beyond the moral dimension, it is also intellectually unclear where to draw the line for undemocratic interventions in defense of democracies. The conceptual framework that separates democracies from hybrid regimes and outright autocracies, that distinguishes right from wrong, acceptable from unacceptable, and delineates the scope of responsibility for mistakes and crimes—these concepts and reflections on them are painfully absent from Applebaum’s book.
This moral and intellectual dimension must be addressed not for the sake of intellectual self-flagellation or ‘whataboutism’ but because of the brutal political consequences. If the West loses the support of the Global South—and thereby opens up space for China and Russia—it could be because those observing from this perspective see the West's staunch support for Ukraine while failing to stop or even effectively condemn the atrocities against civilians in Gaza as an indication that the deaths of darker-skinned children matter less to the West.
Furthermore, we must understand that the West, particularly the United States, by failing to reflect on its problematic practices, continuously provides ammunition to modern autocrats. Just as communist propaganda during the Cold War frequently invoked the slogan "In America, they beat the blacks" in response to criticism, today’s autocratic propaganda similarly echoes accusations of the "West doing business with Russia," "corrupt Western politicians," or "embracing their own dictators." These accusations, much like Cold War-era racism, are not baseless. If we do not address them, we hand these issues over to the enemies of democracy.
Applebaum does not provide an answer to these fundamental dilemmas—that the world is not black and white, but darkness and different shades of gray—nor does she even address it. Therefore, her book can be seen more as a manifesto of the Washington foreign policy establishment rather than an unbiased analysis.
Civil Society and Grassroots Resistance
Despite the grim outlook, Applebaum does not leave the reader without hope. She emphasizes the importance of civil society and grassroots movements in challenging autocratic rule. These movements, often suppressed, represent the resilience and courage of ordinary people fighting for democratic principles. Applebaum calls for greater support for these groups, highlighting their role in mobilizing public opinion, advocating for reforms, and holding governments accountable. This section of the book serves as a rallying cry for democratic forces to support and strengthen civil society worldwide.
’Autocracy, Inc.’ is not just an analysis; it is a call to action. Applebaum urges democratic nations to recognize the threat posed by the global network of autocrats and respond with vigilance and determination. This flexibility involves not just defensive measures but proactive strategies to promote democratic values and institutions. By staying ahead of authoritarian tactics, democratic nations and organizations must share knowledge and effective methods to defend democracy.
Applebaum’s work, ’Autocracy, Inc.’, is despite its shortcomings a timely exploration of the modern autocratic landscape. Through precise research and captivating narrative, Applebaum provides a comprehensive view of how autocrats operate and cooperate in today's interconnected world. The book is an essential resource for anyone concerned about the future of democracy, offering detailed analysis and a guide for resistance. Applebaum combines sharp insight with a passionate plea against autocracies, making ’Autocracy, Inc.’ a highly recommended reading for politicians, activists, scholars, and anyone who cares about the values of democracy under coordinated attack in our societies.
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