Making Sense with Sam Harris #376 — How Democracies Fail
165 snips
Jul 19, 2024 
In this discussion, columnist Anne Applebaum, an expert on autocracy and Eastern Europe, dives into the current fragility of democracies. They explore how modern autocracies systematically undermine democratic institutions and the dangerous cooperation among dictators. The conversation touches on Trump’s charismatic appeal, the alarming decline of American democracy, and the moral dilemmas faced by the West in supporting Ukraine amidst rising populism. Applebaum also critiques the misplaced optimism of the 90s, revealing the persistent threats that still loom over democratic ideals.
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Why Russia Invaded Ukraine
- Putin invaded Ukraine partly because its burgeoning democracy posed an ideological threat to his regime.
- He feared a successful Ukrainian democracy would inspire similar movements in Russia.
Western Complicity
- Western financial systems, driven by profit, have enabled autocracies by facilitating corruption and money laundering.
- This support, initially intended to promote openness, has empowered dictators at the expense of their citizens.
Naive Optimism
- Early engagement with autocracies was based on the optimistic belief that Western ideas and investment would promote democratization.
- This approach underestimated autocrats' ability to control information and exploit the system for personal gain.
