Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University and an historian and commentator on fascism, authoritarian leaders, and propaganda - and the threats these present to democracies.

Professor Ben-Ghiat is a contributor to CNN, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post and her latest book, "Strongmen: Mussolini to the President", examines how authoritarians use propaganda, virility, corruption, and violence to stay in power, and how they can be opposed.

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