Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Background

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an international authority on the fascist playbook and the protection of democracy. An acclaimed historian and commentator, she explains how strongmen combine populist appeal with authoritarian policy by manipulating history, fears, and desires. Her book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present traces the rise and fall of modern autocrats around the world, laying out paths for resistance.

She is an MSNBC and CNN commentator and writes for The New York Times, The Economist, The Atlantic, and many others. She is a historical consultant for TV and film, her recent projects include Netflix’s Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial, as well the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.

She is the recipient of Guggenheim, Fulbright, and other fellowships. She is Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University, Advisor to Protect Democracy, and publisher of the popular Substack newsletter “Lucid.” 

Generously sponsored by Amy Sutton and Gary Chiles, Margery and Robert Loeb, Rebecca and Scott McCay, and the Rice University School of Humanities and Arts.