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The Rise of American Authoritarianism

Gage Skidmore, Photoillustration: Javier Zarracina/Vox

  The media has struggled for months to explain how Donald Trump has become so wildly popular so quickly with the country’s electorate. In a new article, the journalist Amanda Taub proposes a rather frightening answer. The rise of Trump, she says, parallels the rise of American authoritarianism, the belief in radical policies and the desire for a strongman leader to implement them. Taub joins guest host Terry Gildea on Wednesday to explain how authoritarianism is transforming the GOP and the dynamics of national politics.

Amanda Taub is a former rights lawyer who now covers foreign politics, human rights, and social justice for Vox.com. Her article "The Rise of American Authoritarianism" was published earlier this month.

Terry Gildea comes to KUER from San Antonio where he spent four years as a reporter and host at Texas Public Radio. While at KSTX, he created, produced and hosted the station's first local talk show, The Source. He covered San Antonio's military community for the station and for NPR's Impact of War Project. Terry's features on wounded warriors, families on the home front and veterans navigating life after war have aired on Morning Edition, Weekend Edition and All Things Considered. His half-hour radio documentary exploring the burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center was honored by the Houston Press and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Prior to his position in San Antonio, Terry covered Congress for two years with Capitol News Connection and Public Radio International . He holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Washington and a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Terry enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons, fixing bicycles and rooting for his hometown Seattle Mariners.