Dispatches from a Dying Democracy

Other98 Think Pieces

Elon Musk is Saying “Fraud” for a Reason

Elon Musk is talking a lot about “fraud.” He’s using that word for a specific reason: to dismantle the U.S. federal government.

Elon Musk is talking a lot about “fraud.” He’s using that word for a specific reason: to dismantle the U.S. federal government. Continue reading →

How to Fight Fascists: A Tactical Brief for the Times We’re In

When fascism succeeds, it’s not because people didn’t see it coming, but because they couldn’t organize fast enough to stop it.

When fascism succeeds, it’s not because people didn’t see it coming, but because they couldn’t organize fast enough to stop it. Continue reading →

The Author of “On Tyranny” on What Happens Now

20 lessons from Timothy Snyder on how to approach the second Trump term.

20 lessons from Timothy Snyder on how to approach the second Trump term. Continue reading →

The "Flood the Zone" Strategy: Understanding Authoritarian Governance Tactics

Steve Bannon's "flood the zone" approach to state capture represents a deliberate governance strategy that scholars of authoritarianism have documented across multiple contexts. According to experts studying democratic backsliding, here the key components of the approach.

Steve Bannon's "flood the zone" approach to state capture represents a deliberate governance strategy that scholars of authoritarianism have documented across multiple contexts. According to experts studying democratic backsliding, here the key components of the approach. Continue reading →

The Trump Coalition Wants to End Democracy as We Know It

Four groups aim to degrade our one-person-one-vote election system so a few billionaires and certain religious zealots can consolidate their political power.

Four groups aim to degrade our one-person-one-vote election system so a few billionaires and certain religious zealots can consolidate their political power. Continue reading →

This French Senator's fiery speech on the collapse of the American Empire is required reading.

"Our parents defeated fascism and communism at great cost. The task of our generation is to defeat the totalitarianisms of the 21st century."

Our parents defeated fascism and communism at great cost. The task of our generation is to defeat the totalitarianisms of the 21st century. Continue reading →

Trump’s supporters are not persuadable. Our hope lies with us.

What Trump supporters (as a whole, as a voting bloc, PLEASE dont tell me about your MAGA cousin who’s having second thoughts) are thinking means nothing. The only thing that matters is what Trump’s opponents are thinking. What we’re thinking.

But progress is going to come when we, not they, see the light. Continue reading →

Why May Day Matters

History doesn’t just happen to us—it’s made by us. And every time we rise, every time we resist, we make it harder for the machinery of repression to roll forward unchecked.

History doesn’t just happen to us—it’s made by us. And every time we rise, every time we resist, we make it harder for the machinery of repression to roll forward unchecked. Continue reading →