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The Rise of the Iron Men With Misha Glenny

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The Rise of the Iron Men With Misha Glenny

By: Misha Glenny
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About this listen

The future of democracy is uncertain.

Populist world leaders are dominating headlines and creating a new kind of politics that challenges democratic values and the liberal order.

They influence the media, exert economic power, appoint judges, cultivate populism and seek to undermine the very institutions which brought them into power.

In this gripping narrative, Misha Glenny, journalist and best-selling author of McMafia, tells the stories of six strongmen's unexpected rise.

A Somethin' Else production for Audible Originals.

This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 6 episodes to your Library now.

©2020 Audible, Ltd. (P)2020 Audible, Ltd. Corruption & Misconduct Politics & Activism Politics & Government Presidents & Heads of State
Episodes
  • Ep. 1: Public Enemy No. 1

    Ep. 1: Public Enemy No. 1
    Aug 17 2020

    This story starts in Hungary, 1989, the year Misha Glenny first set eyes on Viktor Orban - then a young student activist calling for an end to communist rule. Three decades later, Glenny asks: how did this once passionate liberal turn into the original strongman?
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    33 mins
    Try Premium Plus free
  • Ep. 2: Duterte Harry

    Ep. 2: Duterte Harry
    Aug 17 2020

    He's called Pope Francis a "son of a whore", he wolf-whistles at female journalists, and he boasts about killing drug dealers - how did this provincial mayor become President of the Philippines?
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    36 mins
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  • Ep. 3: A Very Strange Coup

    Ep. 3: A Very Strange Coup
    Aug 17 2020

    One summer’s evening in July 2016, fighter jets started circling around Istanbul, Turkey. It was the beginning of a military coup to overthrow modern Turkey’s longest-serving ruler - President Recep Tayipp Erdogan.
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    35 mins
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All stars
Most relevant  
Super interesting listen. a little surprised the most egregious iron men of all in our time doesn't have an episode to himself. but all the episodes that are there are well narrated, and has lots of interesting insights.

loved it

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Fascinating stories about the politicians featured & their rise to power. Looking forward to more from Mr Glenny.

interesting stories

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Populist world leaders are dominating headlines and creating a novel type of politics that challenges democratic values and the liberal order.
Misha Glenny, journalist and successful author of McMafia, tells the stories of six iron men. These are:
Victor Orban,
Rodrigo Duterte,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Jair Bolsonaro,
Narendra Modi, and
Boris Johnson.

They influence the media, exert economic control, appoint judges, cultivate populism and seek to undermine the very institutions which brought them into power.

It's carefully researched and comprehensive, but not overly long.

The choice of including Johnson shows how he and Cummings employ the identical methods as the more insidious dictators to achieve the same outcomes.

Depressing but essential

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Great analysis. More, please! The world is so blind and/or lazy. Partly because of lack of education, partly because of opportunism, it is easier to turn a blind eye to what is happening.

Bravo. Great analysis.

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A must if you're into Politics, six leaders compared to each other, the Ironmen of the title, how they achieved power and how they wield it

The Leaders Exposed

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I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast series. It is informative without being boring; educational without being dreary or patronising and something you can easily bookmark and go back to.

The premise is that there are certain stereotypes of men - and they're all men, as the narrator mentions - who have come to power via a specific route. An untraditional route. Definitely not a salubrious route. The guests are knowledgeable and erudite and you are left feeling somewhat uncomfortable that these men have achieved what they have achieved whilst losing a portion of their humanity along the way.

Illuminating & Rivetting

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This is an informative examination of the methods used by populist leaders to gain and hold power. Some might laugh at the idea of Boris Johnson being included among these so-called 'Iron Men'. However, he has clearly used many of these methods, such as spreading misinformation, avoiding scrutiny and showing an unhealthy disregard for Parliament and the law. It can be argued whether, in the Johnson/Cummings partnership, Johnson is the organ-grinder or the cute monkey. Nevertheless,this series should act as a warning to all of us who live in the UK. Populism is spreading across the world like a virus, and it's up to us to stay alert, control the virus and save democracy.

A TIMELY WARNING

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Please ignore the reviews claiming this to be ‘left leaning’, it really isn’t and actually could be far more critical of Mr Johnson and his decision making.

It does however give an understanding as to how calculated much of the Boris act really was. He is obviously an intelligent man but also incredibly self serving. I think sadly it shines more of a light on how removed from politics many of the public feel. This in turn allows the likes of Johnson to acquire power using sound bites, disinformation and lies.

Good insight into Boris

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the result of research and included interesting references which I want to pursue and the delivery was excellent.

stimulating and authorative I wanted more.

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Hei found this series very intriguing and informative. A definite recommendation for anyone interested in global politics and the rise of populism and "iron men".

Excellent

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