Hello Reddit! It’s Stacey Abrams. I'm a tax attorney by trade, a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, and the former Democratic Leader in the Georgia House. I’ll answer questions about any of that work. But right now, I’m laser-focused on calling out authoritarianism and autocracy in America, and helping people find the tools to fight back.
Autocratic regimes rarely seize power in a single dramatic moment. Instead, they erode democracy in simultaneous steps that overwhelm opposition. This idea comes from Professor Kim Lane Scheppele of Princeton, whose work on authoritarianism has helped me—and so many others—make sense of what we’re seeing. Here are the 10 Steps to Autocracy and Authoritarianism:
- Win the Last Fair Election → Autocrats often rise through elections, then ensure it’s the last truly free one.
- Expand Executive Power → Push presidential authority beyond legal boundaries.
- Capture the Other Branches → Co-opt Congress and neutralize the courts.
- Gut the Civil Service → Remove competent government workers and break government so it doesn’t work.
- Install Loyalists → Fill key posts with people willing to ignore the laws and the needs of the people.
- Attack the Media → Discredit independent journalists and voices and replace them with propaganda.
- Scapegoat Communities → Target immigrants, minorities, and marginalized groups and attack DEI.
- Destroy Support Systems → Undermine institutions that defend rights and educate communities.
- Normalize Violence → Militarize law enforcement and incentivize political violence.
- End Democracy Itself → Manipulate elections and systems to guarantee permanent power.
By understanding the authoritarian playbook, we can better make sense of the news, and respond. And to reclaim our democracy today, we need to meet the 10 Steps to Autocracy and Authoritarianism with the 10 Steps to Freedom and Power.
I look forward to your questions, I'll be around for about an hour starting at 10:30am ET. You can learn more about the 10 Steps Campaign at 10stepscampaign.org
Proof: https://bsky.app/profile/staceyabrams.com/post/3m2m6nrsq5527
Source: staceyabrams
4 Comments
Hi Ms. Abrams, my question is: what is the most troubling sign of authoritarianism that you have seen in this new administration? Love you work btw. Kerp fighting the good fight!
A sentiment I’m seeing a lot (and that I’ve struggled with as well) is that we’re now at the point where any actions by citizens will be pointless, that the country is now locked in to a fascist, authoritarian regime no matter what we do. What would you recommend to address/counteract this “doomer” mindset?
The Trump administration has been incredibly vocal about blaming the government shutdown on Democrats for “wanting to provide healthcare for illegals” when that is not true.
What can Americans do in the face of these blatant lies, disinformation, etc., when Trump’s base believes him, no matter how easily disprovable the lie?
Thank you for taking the time to read through what I’m sure will be a plethora of questions.
My question is this: Aside from the typical methods of getting involved (writing legislators, getting out the vote, protesting peacefully), what can the average Joe do in order to curb the effects of this?
Most people I talk to feel powerless and rudderless. The people that want to fight back are to scattered and lack any organization (the job of our leaders). They’re unsure as to what to do aside from the methods I already outlined.
Thanks for your time!