The parallels in autocratic tendencies between Trump in 2016 and Putin in 2000 were clear from the very beginning. Thankfully, differences in our systems of governments are still greater. My take from February 2017: washingtonpost.com/news/democracy… THREAD 1/
"Trump [like Putin in 2000] also had never run for office before last year. He presented himself emphatically as a law-and-order candidate. He has promised to cut taxes, thus ensuring support from the business community." 2/
Like Putin in 2000, he has pledged “to make America great again.” Just as Putin ordered the Russian army into Chechnya, Trump has already threatened to send federal forces into Chicago. 3/
Just like Putin, Trump and his team have labeled as enemies protesters, journalists and members of allegedly “terrorist” nations. 4/
Trump’s recent Twitter screed against those opposing him — “Professional anarchists, thugs and paid protesters” — sounds eerily similar to Putin’s reaction to crowds mobilized against him in 2011-2012. 5/
Like Putin, Trump’s weapon of action so far has been the executive order. 6/
Trump’s ideology — a populist conservative nationalism aimed against the liberal international order — hauntingly echoes Putinism. 7/
"Thankfully, this historic analogy is not precise. American democratic institutions ... are much more robust today than similar Russian institutions were in 2000." 8/
"Even so, certain lessons the from the Russian experience remain relevant. First, small steps toward autocracy ...can produce momentum toward bigger autocratic changes later." 9/
"Second, we must aware of the dangers of acquiescence or indifference. We should not rely on the hope that initial dangerous acts will fizzle out. The moment to check [Trump's autocratic] proclivities is now." And now three year later, here we are. END THREAD 10/.
