The Authoritarian Moment - Ben Shapiro

The Authoritarian Moment

By Ben Shapiro

  • Release Date: 2021-07-27
  • Genre: Political Science
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 115 Ratings

Description

New York Times Bestseller

How far are Americans willing to go to force each other to fall in line?

According to the establishment media, the intelligentsia, and our political chattering class, the greatest threat to American freedom lies in right-wing authoritarianism. We’ve heard that some 75 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump represent the rise of American fascism; that conservatives have allowed authoritarianism to bloom in their midst, creating a grave danger for the republic.

But what if the true authoritarian threat to America doesn’t come from the political right, but from the supposedly anti-fascist left?

There are certainly totalitarians on the political right. But statistically, they represent a fringe movement with little institutional clout. The authoritarian left, meanwhile, is ascendant in nearly every area of American life. A small number of leftists—college-educated, coastal, and uncompromising—have not just taken over the Democratic Party but our corporations, our universities, our scientific establishment, our cultural institutions. And they have used their newfound power to silence their opposition.

The authoritarian Left is aggressively insistent that everyone must conform to its values, demanding submission and conformity. The dogmatic Left is obsessed with putting people in categories and changing human nature. Everyone who opposes it must be destroyed.

Ben Shapiro looks at everything from pop culture to the Frankfurt school, social media to the Founding Fathers, to explain the origins of our turn to tyranny, and why so many seem blind to it.

More than a catalog of bad actors and intemperate acts, The Authoritarian Moment lays bare the intolerance and rigidity creeping into all American ideology – and prescribes the solution to ending the authoritarianism that threatens our future.

Reviews

  • Quite hypocritical

    1
    By CoolBeans1188
    So…he’s against authoritarian government, yet wants to effectively limit women’s reproductive rights, as well as lgbt rights (which, by the way, he sees as a “threat” to our civilization). How does this add up? How can you oppose authoritarianism from democrats, but praise authoritarianism from republicans? A republican could say the most vile, disgusting things about someone and Shapiro would praise them, yet when a democrat says the exact same thing, he rants about the violent speech coming from the entire party. Talk about hypocritical. Also, I find it absolutely hilarious that Shapiro finds the gays to be so scary. Like, what does he do when he’s walking down the road and sees two men holding hands? Does he scream bloody murder? Inform everyone about the terrible leftist lies and propaganda he witnessed? Grow up, my guy.
  • Informative and actionable

    5
    By J.Conerty89
    Ben provides some great contextual information around his reasoning that we are in an authoritarian moment, while also providing real actionable steps to take in combatting the authoritarian overreach from government and institutions.
  • A Must Read!!

    5
    By Kharley2327
    Finally some truth and facts instead of leftist wishes!
  • Hypocritical nonsense

    1
    By k5z6
    The man that wants the government to legislate women’s healthcare, limit adoption options for lgbt+ couples, and make erotic adult content illegal thinks he can lecture everyone about authoritarianism. Laughable
  • Authoritarians beware

    5
    By PBLC20
    Strategies for fighting back against the authoritarian left. Much needed and appreciated.
  • Why this book on top charts

    1
    By CharlotteFlair101
    Just another pathetic attempt for Republicans trying to make themselves look like the good guys.🙄 same ole same ole
  • Ben does it again

    5
    By ditziqt22
    Outstanding read! Well thought out and eye opening. Definitely thought of the movie Gaslight and Ben explains that we really are seeing and hearing what we are seeing and hearing. It’s time to stand up to authoritarian moment.
  • Great Read

    5
    By BirdoWorky
    What a well written, and thoughtful book. So needed for these times, I am grateful for the insights gained by reading. Anyone looking for truth should give it a read.
  • Great Summary of Current America

    5
    By Silentsun67
    Ben does a fabulous job of explaining (with many, many references cited) of what’s happening in America and how a large group of people are being silenced in America. Great ending for what we can do to stand up to a small group trying to control us.
  • Insightful read

    5
    By Reid !!
    Shapiro is on it again. Speaking insightfully into our culture and political climate.

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