Autocracy, Inc.

The Dictators Who Want to Run the World

By: Anne Applebaum

Narrated by: Anne Applebaum

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the Pulitzer-prize winning author, an alarming account of how autocracies work together to undermine the democratic world, and how we should organize to defeat them

"A masterful guide to the new age of authoritarianism... clear-sighted and fearless… a masterclass in the marriage of dodgy government to international criminality… (both) deeply disturbing.”—John Simpson, The Guardian • "Especially timely."—The Washington Post

We think we know what an autocratic state looks like: There is an all-powerful leader at the top. He controls the police. The police threaten the people with violence. There are evil collaborators, and maybe some brave dissidents.

But in the 21st century, that bears little resemblance to reality. Nowadays, autocracies are underpinned not by one dictator, but by sophisticated networks composed of kleptocratic financial structures, surveillance technologies, and professional propagandists, all of which operate across multiple regimes, from China to Russia to Iran. Corrupt companies in one country do business with corrupt companies in another. The police in one country can arm and train the police in another, and propagandists share resources and themes, pounding home the same messages about the weakness of democracy and the evil of America.

International condemnation and economic sanctions cannot move the autocrats. Even popular opposition movements, from Venezuela to Hong Kong to Moscow, don't stand a chance. The members of Autocracy, Inc, aren't linked by a unifying ideology, like communism, but rather a common desire for power, wealth, and impunity. In this urgent treatise, which evokes George Kennan's essay calling for "containment" of the Soviet Union, Anne Applebaum calls for the democracies to fundamentally reorient their policies to fight a new kind of threat.

©2024 Anne Applebaum (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Autocracy, Inc. is a valuable book for many reasons, but the focus on illicit wealth creation and on those in democracies who enable it is especially timely. So is Applebaum’s recommendation that we wage war on autocratic behaviors wherever they occur.”—The Washington Post

“Anne Applebaum’s Autocracy, Inc. provides a trenchant account that indicates that Trump, for all his bluster about America First, is part of a global phenomenon—namely, the rise of an international kleptocracy that often works in tandem.”—Washington Monthly

“Tightly argued, crisply written...The question left unresolved by this engrossing book is whether America will ultimately confront the autocrats—or sidle up to them.”—Air Mail

highly recommend

the author provides a concise argument why we are living through one of the most important times to fight for democracy. stay united friends!

Brilliant explanation of the realignment of world powers

Brilliant explanation of the realignment of world powers: brilliant engaging account of the shifting alliances to promote Autocracy and kleptocracy across previously seemingly oppositional political values and political and economic systems. this book was too short! I already read Applebaum's Twilight Democracy and now Autocracy Inc, so I will have to wait for the next expose from Applebaum.

Great education

Great education on how foreign countries show up domestically. If you are scared of what you thought, you knew, you will be even more afraid knowing how fragile our democracy actually is. Because this was my first foray into foreign affairs, I had to look up a lot of terms, but by the epilogue, I could fully appreciate the knowledge!

Sobering and insightful account on how autocracies collaborate to undermine democracy

This work has opened my eyes on how deliberate and pervasive Autocracy Inc is. It will help anyone understand how insidious these regimes operate.

A wake up call!

Well documented and a good historical perspective, but not enough on the solutions to the grave risks we face

Everyone should read!

Very good! Great explanation and warning on how authoritarian leaders have teamed to corrupt democracies around the world.

Eye Opening A Must Read

Great book, eye opening with a call to action. Every American should read (listen to) this book, especially before the next U.S. election.

Timely and interesting content

A must read for understanding the geopolitical scenario. This book shed a light on the global information laundry

A Triumphant Work -Puts It All Together With Laser Clarity

I try to read or listen to all of Anne Applebaum’s brilliant analysis of historic and modern autocracy and always blown away by her voluminous research and ability to synthesize and communicate her knowledge from living in and visiting modern autocracies.

This book- “Autocracy Inc.”, is not only her most important writing, it may be the most important book now, because of the need to enact her important recommendations for change, to unite remaining Democracies into a “Democracy Inc.”, as well as practical legislation to require transparency in land acquisition and other ownership make sense.

This is a most courageous writing and a call to courageous people everywhere to unite for Democracy and Freedom.

Doug May

Scary and revealing

Eerily insightful book that brings to light the corruption throughout the world and its threat to freedom and democracy.