How to lose a country: The seven steps from democracy to dictatorship

An urgent call to action from a prominent European political thinker, this work serves as a guide to recognizing the subtle patterns and mechanisms of the global populist wave before it’s too late. Observing the reactions of reasonable people in Britain during Brexit, in America with Trump’s election, and in Turkey under Erdoğan, the author highlights how populism and nationalism infiltrate governments gradually rather than suddenly. This book is an impassioned plea and a warning that identifies early-warning signs of this phenomenon emerging worldwide, from Eastern Europe to South America, aiming to define a global pattern and equip readers with the tools to combat it. The author proposes alternative global solutions to pressing political issues, delving into the dangerous concept of 'real people,' the infantilization of language and debate, the misleading nature of laughter, and the risks of underestimating opponents. By weaving together memoir, history, and sharp argumentation, the author presents a compelling defense of democracy. The time for complacency is over; the threat is real and escalating, and it may soon be too late to act.