Anne Applebaum in her book "Autocracy, Inc." explores the theme of autocrats and their pragmatic approach to wealth. According to the author, these leaders establish business-based relationships to evade sanctions and share technology to control their citizens, rather than for genuine ideals. The book, published in 2024, raises the question of whether the actions of certain politicians could emulate the tactics of autocrats in handling prisoners and gangs.
In her reflections, Applebaum highlights the complicity of some American and European businessmen in these dealings, eroding the division between autocratic regimes and democracies. The author emphasizes that a system has been created where the wealthy can negotiate with such regimes without ethical restrictions, enjoying the protection of Western democracies and the benefits of the free market.
The author outlines how autocrats seek to establish a system of impunity and mutual benefit, ignoring universal norms such as human rights. This network of global complicities aims to silence any criticism through a diplomacy of "mutual respect" and "win-win" agreements, where national sovereignty is used as an excuse to avoid uncomfortable debates.
Applebaum warns about the creation of a global system beneficial to criminals and dictators, which denies respect for human rights and seeks to perpetuate their power. These concepts do not seem distant from the current political reality, where the continuous pursuit of commercial gains outweighs ethical considerations and the defense of democratic freedoms.
Moreover, the closeness between political figures and tech leaders raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and freedom of expression. Examples such as the cancellation of post verification on social media show how corporate interests can influence public discourse, limiting democratic debate. Situations like the presence of El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, at political events in the United States highlight this trend towards policies that neglect human rights and the safety of detainees.
