Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World

The Epilogue of Autocracy, Inc. starts with a reflection on the stark contrast between the luxurious lifestyles of autocrats and the modest setting of a 2022 gathering in Vilnius, where democracy activists from around the world met for the first World Liberty Congress. Leaders from countries under authoritarian rule exchanged their experiences and emphasized the need for new strategies of fostering global solidarity and reshaping the fight for democracy across borders.

Applebaum highlights the interconnected nature of global autocracies, contrasting how democratic nations view separate, independent regions with how autocracies view themselves as participants in a unified struggle against the West. According to Applebaum, autocratic regimes cooperate across borders, supporting each other militarily, economically, and politically to destabilize democracies.

For example, Russia fosters extremism in Europe, Iran supports militancy in the Middle East, and China expands its influence through information campaigns in Africa and Latin America. These regimes time their actions to maximize global chaos, distracting democratic nations from vital issues like Russia’s war in Ukraine. Applebaum emphasizes that the effort of pro-democracy activists represents a global struggle against authoritarianism, demanding a unified democratic response across multiple sectors.

Furthermore, Applebaum argues that no single politician or nation can tackle global