About the book
A finalist for the Lionel Gelber Prize
One of Back Obama's Favourite Books of the Year
A Pulitzer Prize–winning historian explains, with electrifying clarity, why elites in democracies around the world are turning toward nationalism and authoritarianism.
From the United States and Britain to continental Europe and beyond, liberal democracy is under siege, while authoritarianism is on the rise. In Twilight of Democracy, Anne Applebaum, an award-winning historian of Soviet atrocities who was one of the first American journalists to raise an alarm about antidemocratic trends in the West, explains the lure of nationalism and autocracy. In this captivating essay, she contends that political systems with radically simple beliefs are inherently appealing, especially when they benefit the loyal to the exclusion of everyone else.
Despotic leaders do not rule alone; they rely on political allies, bureaucrats, and media figures to pave their way and support their rule. The authoritarian and nationalist parties that have arisen within modern democracies offer new paths to wealth or power for their adherents. Applebaum describes many of the new advocates of illiberalism in countries around the world, showing how they use conspiracy theory, political polarization, social media, and even nostalgia to change their societies.
Elegantly written and urgently argued, Twilight of Democracy is a brilliant dissection of a world-shaking shift and a stirring glimpse of the road back to democratic values.
Editions of Twilight of Democracy
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780771005855
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780385545808
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780593214787
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780771005879
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781984899507
- EBook
- ISBN 9780385545815
- EBook
- ISBN 9780771005862
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593212585
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593212592
Read an Excerpt
A finalist for the Lionel Gelber Prize
One of Back Obama's Favourite Books of the Year
A Pulitzer Prize–winning historian explains, with electrifying clarity, why elites in democracies around the world are turning toward nationalism and authoritarianism.
From the United States and Britain to continental Europe and beyond, liberal democracy is under siege, while authoritarianism is on the rise. In Twilight of Democracy, Anne Applebaum, an award-winning historian of Soviet atrocities who was one of the first American journalists to raise an alarm about antidemocratic trends in the West, explains the lure of nationalism and autocracy. In this captivating essay, she contends that political systems with radically simple beliefs are inherently appealing, especially when they benefit the loyal to the exclusion of everyone else.
Despotic leaders do not rule alone; they rely on political allies, bureaucrats, and media figures to pave their way and support their rule. The authoritarian and nationalist parties that have arisen within modern democracies offer new paths to wealth or power for their adherents. Applebaum describes many of the new advocates of illiberalism in countries around the world, showing how they use conspiracy theory, political polarization, social media, and even nostalgia to change their societies.
Elegantly written and urgently argued, Twilight of Democracy is a brilliant dissection of a world-shaking shift and a stirring glimpse of the road back to democratic values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Twilight of Democracy about?
A finalist for the Lionel Gelber Prize
One of Back Obama's Favourite Books of the Year
A Pulitzer Prize–winning historian explains, with electrifying clarity, why elites in democracies around the world are turning toward nationalism and authoritarianism.
From the United States and Britain to continental Europe and beyond, liberal democracy is under siege, while authoritarianism is on the rise. In Twilight of Democracy, Anne Applebaum, an award-winning historian of Soviet atrocities who was one of the first American journalists to raise an alarm about antidemocratic trends in the West, explains the lure of nationalism and autocracy. In this captivating essay, she contends that political systems with radically simple beliefs are inherently appealing, especially when they benefit the loyal to the exclusion of everyone else.
Despotic leaders do not rule alone; they rely on political allies, bureaucrats, and media figures to pave their way and support their rule. The authoritarian and nationalist parties that have arisen within modern democracies offer new paths to wealth or power for their adherents. Applebaum describes many of the new advocates of illiberalism in countries around the world, showing how they use conspiracy theory, political polarization, social media, and even nostalgia to change their societies.
Elegantly written and urgently argued, Twilight of Democracy is a brilliant dissection of a world-shaking shift and a stirring glimpse of the road back to democratic values.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Twilight of Democracy?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Political science and theory
Where can I read a sample of Twilight of Democracy?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780771005855
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Twilight of Democracy?
Anne Applebaum
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Twilight of Democracy is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780771005855) and hardcover(ISBN 9780385545808) and paperback(ISBN 9780593214787) and paperback(ISBN 9780771005879) and paperback(ISBN 9781984899507) and ebook(ISBN 9780385545815) and ebook(ISBN 9780771005862) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593212585) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593212592)
Where can I buy Twilight of Democracy online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Twilight of Democracy from below
Where can I buy Twilight of Democracy?