Speaker Profile

Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Professor of History and Italian Studies, NYU

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Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a virtual guest at Crosscut Festival 2022. She is a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University and writes frequently for CNN and other media outlets on threats to democracy around the world. Her latest book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present, examines how illiberal leaders use corruption, violence, propaganda and machismo to stay in power, and how resistance to them has unfolded.

When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.

Where: This is a free virtual event. RSVP now.

Find more details about this event below.

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Scheduled Appearances

Are Authoritarians Winning?

Crosscut Festival 2022
Wed May 4, 2022 | 5:00pm

Russian President Vladimir Putin rattled the Western world with his shocking invasion of Ukraine, and authoritarianism appears on the rise around the globe. Meanwhile, threats to democracy feel just as real right here at home. WATCH NOW

 

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Featuring: Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Steven Levitsky, David Corn, Rebekah Koffler

Featured Books

Ideas Festival supports local booksellers. Titles below can be purchased at Elliott Bay Book Company.

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About the Festival

The Cascade PBS Ideas Festival is a full-day event in downtown Seattle, featuring live podcast recordings and studio television tapings from The Atlantic, NPR, CNN, Vox, PBS, Crooked Media, The Gist, Open to Debate, and more. Watch live as journalists, newsmakers, and thought leaders from around the world take on hot topics making news and the biggest issues of our time. Plus, community meetups, speaker meet-and-greets, micro-sessions, food trucks, DJs, and artists.

Don't just listen — be part of it. Join us on May 31 (the weekend after Memorial Day)!

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