New York University Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat answers questions at an event in Grand Rapids organized by Democracy SENTRY and democracyFIRST on Sept. 5, 2024. | Kyle Davidson
Calvin College professor emeritus Doug Koopman sat down with New York University professor and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat Thursday in Grand Rapids to discuss her studies on fascism and the threat of authoritarianism in the United States.
In their discussion, Koopman and Ben-Ghiat reviewed, “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present,” Ben-Ghiat’s 2020 book comparing former President Donald Trump to previous authoritarian leaders alongside contemporaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Scholars and political activists have repeatedly raised alarms about Trump’s authoritarian leanings, with the former President saying he would not abuse his power or seek retribution if granted a second term “except for day one.” Trump has also praised authoritarian leaders including Putin, Orbán and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.