Dan Olner
@danolner.bsky.social
540 followers
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240 posts
Policy fellow @Y_PERN_ @SouthYorksMCA Data scientist / geospatial+economics / climate / political economy / "tepid centrist" / bit of sci-fi too danolner.net github.com/DanOlner
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Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
![first 2 of 9 frames of an illustrated guide to recognising and resisting authoritarianism
1, [a woman is having to vote under the eye of a balaclava-wearing security force officer with an automatic rifle]
History has shown us that some dictators have seized countries overnight through coups, while others consolidate power over years. However they proceed, the goal is always the same: to end democracy.
2. [drawing of a general and a politician / businessman exchanging a suitcase full of cash]
History has also shown us the tools authoritarians use: propaganda, surveillance, violence, purging nonloyalists from institutions and co-opting elites with promises of never-before-seen profits.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreietx2n4lvjayrqnhkygexixo7d56ark3v4wedfgkd7el6k7damyhe@jpeg)
![3. Same General and businessman giving the thumbs up while exchanging a briefcase full of money but he's wearing a tracksuit now]
Authoritarians often justify their repression by vowing to rid the country of criminals. But authoritarians may partner with the very gangs they pledged to eliminate, as Nicolás Maduro and Nayib Bukele reportedly do.
4. [woman who looks like the same one who was voting is sitting next to a man in sunglasses on public transport who is paying close attention to her and she's thinking "Secret Police?" ]
Secret police are formed that are loyal only to the authoritarian leader. They create a climate of intimidation and terror, often by blending into the population, along with informants and other civilian collaborators.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihg3k7f6cpckg47hq6j47jv4xuzkmlcrg66nltgsv3vwadobe2kv4@jpeg)
![7. [a man in a tank top and shirt is saying "Relax, It'll never happen here " to a woman who looks unconvinced and behind them both are many balaclava-wearing security forces with guns]
Even though authoritarians often explicitly state their intentions, many people convince themselves that "it's not that bad" and think they won't be targeted... until the state comes for them, too. When government officials in masks appear, you know that no one is safe.
8. [group of people standing united in a crowd who look resistant]
The history of authoritarian rule is also the history of resistance, Around the world, people have taken to the streets, even in situations of great danger, to tell the leader and his collaborators: "We refuse your violence and corruption. We stand in solidarity with the persecuted and the silenced."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreictgglkiawgsqeiarc6nxq2n4nwuihqjoctaw2g3vjbigzzkbddqa@jpeg)
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
Reposted by Dan Olner
