Aug 5, 2026
Why do political movements that promote authoritarian ideas often gain support from people who feel ignored, frustrated, or left behind?
That question sits at the center of today's conversation.
Joining me is David Ost, political scientist and author of Red Pill Politics: Demystifying Today's Far Right, a timely examination of the rise of right-wing populism, authoritarian movements, and the political strategies that allow them to attract support.
Drawing on historical research and contemporary examples from around the world, Ost argues that modern far-right movements share important characteristics with earlier authoritarian movements: opposition to pluralism, intolerance toward marginalized groups, rigid social hierarchies, and a rejection of democratic norms. At the same time, he examines how these movements gain traction through anti-elite messaging and by presenting themselves as voices for those who feel abandoned by existing institutions.
Today we'll discuss the history of authoritarian politics, the appeal of populist rhetoric, the relationship between economic and cultural grievances, the challenges facing democratic societies, and what lessons history can offer us about the present moment.