After the Fall audiobook cover - Being American in the World We've Made

After the Fall

Being American in the World We've Made

Ben Rhodes

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PoliticsBiography & Memoir

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After the Fall
America's Post-Cold War Shift+
The Authoritarian Playbook (Hungary)+
Russia's Consolidation of Power+
US Enabling Global Authoritarianism+
China's Techno-Authoritarianism+
Hope and Resistance+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the book, how did America's global focus shift in the post-Cold War era?
  • A. It shifted from promoting democratic freedoms to prioritizing wealth generation and global capitalism.
  • B. It focused exclusively on expanding its military presence in Eastern Europe to prevent a Soviet resurgence.
  • C. It isolated itself completely from global affairs to focus on rebuilding domestic infrastructure.
  • D. It successfully eradicated global political corruption through the enforcement of strict economic sanctions.
Question 2 of 7
What catalyzed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's shift toward right-wing nationalism?
  • A. A military threat from neighboring Russia forced him to consolidate power.
  • B. He needed to revitalize his political career after Hungary was hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis.
  • C. He was pressured by the European Union to adopt stricter border control policies.
  • D. He discovered widespread corruption within his own left-leaning political party.
Question 3 of 7
How did the American-advised economic reforms in 1990s Russia inadvertently pave the way for Vladimir Putin?
  • A. The reforms created a massive middle class that demanded a stronger, more authoritarian leader.
  • B. The reforms forced Russia to rely entirely on American imports, leading to a nationalist backlash.
  • C. The reforms successfully eliminated corruption, leaving a power vacuum that Putin easily filled.
  • D. The reforms revealed a capitalist system that only benefited a few wealthy cronies, creating a sense of enduring humiliation.
Question 4 of 7
How did America's response to the 9/11 attacks impact global authoritarianism?
  • A. It demonstrated the resilience of democratic institutions, forcing authoritarian regimes to implement democratic reforms.
  • B. It successfully eliminated global terrorist networks, leaving authoritarian leaders without a common enemy to unite their citizens.
  • C. It lowered the bar for acceptable global political behavior, giving leaders like Putin justification for their own oppressive actions.
  • D. It led to the immediate collapse of several Middle Eastern dictatorships, causing a power vacuum filled by China.
Question 5 of 7
What is the primary focus of China's 'people's war on terror'?
  • A. A joint military operation between China and the US to combat extremism in Southeast Asia.
  • B. A vicious crackdown and mass detention campaign targeting the Uighur Muslim population in Xinjiang Province.
  • C. A domestic policy focused solely on eradicating political opposition within the Chinese Communist Party.
  • D. An international cybersecurity initiative aimed at preventing foreign interference in Chinese elections.
Question 6 of 7
How has the Chinese government primarily utilized American-exported social media and internet technology?
  • A. To bypass international trade tariffs and artificially boost the Chinese stock market.
  • B. To provide uncensored internet access to rural Chinese populations to stimulate local economies.
  • C. To form the backbone of a highly oppressive 'social credit' and surveillance system.
  • D. To organize grassroots democratic elections at the local provincial level.
Question 7 of 7
According to Russian anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, why is there reason to remain hopeful that authoritarianism will fail?
  • A. Regimes built solely on consolidating power and money inevitably run out of justifications and eventually collapse.
  • B. Authoritarian leaders will eventually be voted out of office due to the unbreakable integrity of international election monitors.
  • C. The United States will eventually intervene militarily to restore global democracy.
  • D. Multinational corporations will eventually refuse to do business with authoritarian regimes, forcing them to reform.

After the Fall — Full Chapter Overview

After the Fall Summary & Overview

After the Fall (2021) takes a sobering look at the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism in places like Hungary, China, Russia, and the United States of America. It examines how the standing and influence of the US changed in the years following the Cold War, and how this has led to the current challenges facing democracy around the world. 

Who Should Listen to After the Fall?

  • Political junkies
  • Fans of democracy
  • Students of modern history

About the Author: Ben Rhodes

Ben Rhodes is a former advisor and speechwriter for President Barack Obama and current cohost of the popular podcast Pod Save the World. He is a contributor to MSNBC and NBC News, as well as the author of the best-selling memoir The World As It Is. 

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