Book Club - Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World
Saturday, October 17, 2026
2:00 PM Pacific / 3:00 PM Mountain / 4:00 PM Central / 5:00 PM Eastern
Virtual (online)
Free
How do today’s autocratic governments maintain power, and what challenges do they pose for democracies?
In Autocracy, Inc., Anne Applebaum argues that modern autocratic governments are not necessarily united by a single ideology. Instead, she describes networks connected by shared interests in maintaining power, wealth, and political impunity.
The book examines why traditional responses such as international condemnation, economic sanctions, and popular opposition may struggle against these networks. Applebaum also makes the case that democracies need to reconsider how they respond.
About CPL Book Club:
This monthly gathering's mission is simple: to explore profound opinions
and accounts of our nation’s and the world’s most critical issues
through in-depth books. But it’s not just about reading - it’s about
embracing diverse perspectives, sparking discussions, and sharing
thoughts with fellow explorers of knowledge.
What you’ll get out of book club: our hope is for you to dare to dive
deep, analyzing topics and navigating the twists and turns of politics
together. If you share a passion for continuous learning and want to
explore the intricacies of our world’s challenges, then this club is
your intellectual haven (or entry) into finding out more.
How It Works:
- Members will propose books by adding them to this list.
Where To Find the Books:
We promise that all the books we will discuss will be available online,
in bookstores and in most cases, in your local library. Most will be
available in hardcopy, audiobook, and e-book. Please consider borrowing
the books from your local library. If you find purchasing new copies of
the books beyond your budget, we encourage you to look for used copies,
which you are likely to find online at Powell’s Bookstore, ThriftBooks,
or on Amazon (listed below the hardcover or paperback prices).
Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of
the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have
started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms
open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.
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This event happens on Zoom — the meeting link appears here and in your confirmation email once you register.