Ann Applebaum, a well-known writer and historian, sparked controversy with her article in which she compared Donald Trump's rhetoric to the 1 utilized by dictators of the 1930s and 1940s. In her text published in The Atlantic, Applebaum stated that Trump's language resembles words utilized by Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and another totalitarian leaders.
Applebaum recalled that in times of Nazism and communism leaders frequently dehumanized their opponents, calling them ‘parasites’, ‘harmful’ or ‘disease’. Hitler spoke of clearing Germany from “parasite” and Stalin called for the fight against “enemies of the people”.
Applebaum suggests that akin terms appear in Donald Trump's statements, which calls his opponents ‘radical lefts’ or ‘animals’ and speaks of them as a threat to be eliminated. In her opinion, Trump reaches out for the same rhetorical mechanisms as the erstwhile dictators to rise fear and mobilize his supporters.
However, it can be considered that Trump's comparisons to Hitler or Stalin are exaggerated and service only the polarization of public opinion. The compilations are inadequate due to the fact that Trump, despite controversial rhetoric, operates under completely different political conditions than totalitarian leaders.
Trump and dictators. Is that truly the same thing?
According to Applebaum, the usage of dehumanizing language is never accidental. The article points out that Trump calls immigrants “a threat” to the “blood of America” and speaks of the necessity of “deportion”. It besides points to the repetition of phrases about "mass deportations" and the usage of troops against interior political opponents.
The author suggests that akin statements appeared in the statements of Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin and another leaders who utilized specified words to prepare society for extremist action, including repression and force against elected groups.
It is worth remembering, however, that although Trump uses harsh and provocative language, this does not mean that he is conducting politics of cultural cleansing or mass repression as we know from history. Accusations of ‘fascinating’ his message should be considered an effort to make unnecessary panic and demonize opponents.
Read more: Radosław Sikorski screwed by Russian comedians
Who's Ann Applebaum?
Ann Applebaum is an American-Polish journalist, historian and author who has been active in totalitarianism for years, especially communist and fascist regimes. She is recognized as 1 of the leading experts in the past of the 20th century, and her work on the past of Central and east Europe has won many global awards. Applebaum combines historical cognition with publicistic skills, allowing it to accurately analyse contemporary political phenomena.
Her husband is Radosław Sikorski, abroad Minister.
Pulitzer Prize Winner and Author of Books on Totalitarianism
Applebaum has gained widespread designation through its books, which focus on topics related to authoritarian regimes and their impact on society. Her most celebrated book, Gulag: A History, released in 2003, won the Pulitzer Prize. This work describes in item the strategy of forced labour camps in the russian Union, presenting both the conditions under which prisoners lived and the mechanisms for functioning the full repression system.
Another crucial publication, Iron Curtain: The Crushing of east Europe 1944-1956, examines the way the russian Union imposed control over east European countries after planet War II. Applebaum presents a detailed past of installing communist regimes and eliminating social resistance. The book won prestigious historical awards and strengthened its position as an expert in this field.
In 2020, she published The Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authority, in which it analyses the increasing wave of planet authoritarianism, including in Western countries. It describes how political reality is changing and why more and more people are leaning towards authoritative leaders. The book has sparked a broad debate and highlighted the risks of weakening democracy.
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