The Seven Moves to Autocracy
Authoritarianism doesn’t emerge from a vacuum. It’s not chaos—it’s strategy.
Whether it’s Orbán in Hungary, Erdoğan in Turkey, Modi in India, or Trump in the United States, the pattern is shockingly consistent. These regimes don’t all look the same, but they follow a shared logic: consolidate power, suppress dissent, and make it harder for anyone to fight back.
Today we break down the authoritarian playbook—the seven core moves that appear again and again across countries, eras, and ideologies.
1. Discredit Independent Media
The first move is always to attack the press.
Authoritarians know that truth is a threat. So they flood the zone with lies, label journalists as enemies, and elevate partisan outlets as the only “trusted” sources. Over time, people stop believing anything—except what their leader says.
Hungary: Independent media was defunded, then bought up by Orbán allies.
U.S.: Trump branded the press “the enemy of the people” and boosted propaganda networks while suing or barring access to others.
2. Undermine the Courts
Next, they go after the judiciary—because courts can block authoritarian power.
That’s why strongmen pack courts with loyalists, remove or intimidate independent judges, and weaken judicial review. If the courts won’t play along, they’re sidelined or dismantled.
Turkey: Thousands of judges were purged after the 2016 coup.
U.S.: Trump now pressures courts via loyal legal groups and allies, with ongoing threats to independent judges. Even one was arrested and charged with obstruction.
3. Rig or Rewrite the Rules of Elections
Authoritarians often win elections—but then they change the rules to keep winning.
This might mean gerrymandering, restricting voter access, purging voter rolls, or even rewriting constitutions.
Hungary: Electoral districts were redrawn to all but guarantee Fidesz wins.
U.S.: Dozens of states have passed laws restricting mail-in voting, early voting, and voter registration—especially targeting urban and minority voters.
4. Target Minorities and Scapegoats
To maintain power, autocrats need enemies—and they usually target marginalized groups.
Fear is a powerful unifier. Leaders accuse outsiders or minority groups of threatening the nation’s values, safety, or identity. This justifies crackdowns and rallies the base.
India: Muslims have been systematically vilified under Modi’s government.
U.S.: Migrants, LGBTQ+ people, and people of color are repeatedly framed as threats to American “greatness” or “purity.”
5. Consolidate Executive Power
As institutions are weakened, authoritarian leaders pull more power into the executive branch.
They appoint loyalists, fire watchdogs, ignore norms, and test the limits of their authority. Over time, checks and balances are turned into formalities—or destroyed entirely.
Brazil: Bolsonaro used the military to threaten oversight bodies.
U.S.: Trump’s revival of Schedule F aims to purge the civil service and install a loyalist state.
6. Normalize Political Violence
The longer this goes on, the more dangerous the rhetoric becomes.
Authoritarian leaders stoke anger, hint at violence, and tolerate armed intimidation—until violence isn’t just a byproduct, but a tool.
• Turkey: Protesters and opposition figures have been violently suppressed.
• U.S.: January 6 was not an aberration—it was a test. And political violence has only become more acceptable among Trump’s base since then.
7. Use the Law to Punish Dissent
Finally, the system is turned into a weapon.
Dissenters are investigated. Critics are charged. Laws are selectively enforced to punish enemies and protect allies. At this stage, it’s no longer about winning power—it’s about eliminating resistance.
Russia and Turkey: Anti-terrorism laws are used to imprison journalists.
U.S.: The DOJ has been politicized, whistleblowers threatened, and investigations against Trump critics launched under flimsy pretexts.
This Is Not a Cycle—It’s a Sequence
These steps don’t always happen in the same order. But once the process starts, each move builds on the last. What begins as rhetoric becomes policy. What starts as a workaround becomes the new normal. And by the time institutions realize they’re being dismantled, it’s too late to stop it from the inside.
Authoritarianism is not just about strongmen—it’s about systems.
It’s about creating conditions where democracy becomes impossible without a fight.
Tomorrow: What’s Still Working—and Why It Matters
Not everything has collapsed. Yet. In tomorrow’s post, we’ll look at what institutions, officials, and civic efforts are still holding the line—and why they might be the last firewall between democracy and something far darker.
If you’ve stayed with the series so far, thank you. Please share this post with someone who still believes “it can’t happen here.” Because it already is.