Publisher: Other Press: Bodley Head: imprint of Vintage part of the Penguin Random House

ISBN: 9781635422801

Any book that can motivate its reader to experience deep emotion, educate, challenge long-held beliefs, and encourage the reader to learn more about the book’s focus is a book to read

Gideon Rachman’s The Age of the Strongman: How the Cult of the Leader Threatens Democracy Around the World did that for me, and more. 

Rachman’s approach to the quickly-emerging rise in global authoritarian leadership challenges pre-held beliefs that a Strongman style of leadership is confined to politicians in authoritarian systems and raises global concern about modern technology as a potentially dangerous tool of social control.

The author offers clues pointing to the Age of the Strongman; clearly delineates common characteristics of Strongman leaders; reminds readers of the influence of nostalgic nationalism and cultural traditionalism; draws attention to the distinction of the law as something to be obeyed and something to be used against opponents regardless of possible consequences; notes the influence of Carl Schmitt’s focus   between ‘friend’ and ‘enemy’ which notes that questions in politics are not questions of right or wrong, but of obedience and subjugation.

Rachman addresses motivations of the January 6th U.S. insurrection attempt as well as the mental stability of the former U.S. President Donald Trump; postulates about the possibility of a thirty-year pattern of political leadership styles not relevant in Strongman leaders; notes the fractured global response to COVID; acknowledges the rising deep concern around diminishing safe ways to challenge authority; raises serious concerns about the future.

Anyone can raise the questions in this book, but few can do so with the political experience, knowledge and journalistic background of this author.  Rachman brings decades of qualifications as chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, former correspondent at The Economist, winner of the Orwell Prize and Commentator of the Year of the European Press Prize (aka the European Pulitzer Prize) to his writing, and the individual chapters on today’s global Strongman leaders from 2000 to 2021 which take the book to yet another level of integrity. 

Solidly researched, historically accurate, the visionary author offers a glimpse into a global perspective on the Age of the Strongman as a very present and real danger.

Democracy is at risk. 
Is anyone listening?