Think I'll pick something from each.

"We asked critics from authoritarian regimes what they wish they’d known sooner. Here’s what they said"

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/09/experts-authoritarian-regimes-trump

"Kapronczay says she’s learned that opposition leaders need to pay closer attention to pocketbook issues. 'Standing up for democracy, resisting and all this very abstract language will not reach the majority of society,' she said. 'It’s only a very small progressive circle that resonates with that kind of messaging.'

But the authoritarian turn also 'posed an opportunity for self-reflection,' she said. 'If our previous tools are no longer working, how can we serve our mission in a more impactful way?'

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“'When they come to power for the second time, they feel more ruthless, and they behave as if there are no boundaries any more,' said Temelkuran. 'I think especially in the leader’s head, that association of ‘me and the country’ [being] the same thing becomes very prominent when they seize power for the second time.'

Temelkuran had been reporting throughout Turkey as a columnist for the newspaper ​​Milliyet during Erdoğan’s rise in 2002. Early on, she saw his authoritarian tendencies: he regularly disparaged journalists and seemed to have little interest in politics as usual.

'[Autocrats] declare themselves as beyond politics,' said Temelkuran. '[They say:] ‘Politics is corrupt. Parties are corrupt. We’re clean.’ They create a movement, not a party.

'When you despise politics, that means that you are probably going to do something to democracy itself,' she added."

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“'You cannot make authoritarian leaders the center of your narrative,' said Ortiz. 'You have to make the people the center of your narrative, and you have to be passionate about it.'

She said that means doing more to engage with citizens – and being prepared to be surprised by what they say. 'A part of the cure for this is listening to people,' she said. 'Don’t be so certain about what they want, what they need. You have to ask.'”

~ Danielle Renwick