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How to lose a country

How to Lose a Country and How to Save It

Ece Temelkuran

Award-winning Turkish author and journalist Ece Temelkuran delivers a stark warning about the insidiousness of nationalism, and proposes a solution through a new conception of humanity and morality.

Instructor
  • ecebw
    Ece Temelkuran

    Award-winning journalist, author and political columnist.

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About the Course

 

For many of us living in liberal democracies, a descent into fascism is unthinkable. Our institutions, traditions and cultural values are meant to safeguard against the development of any authoritarian regime. Yet clearly right-wing populism is on the rise around the world. And instead of thinking 'it couldn't happen here', we would do well to acknowledge the creeping power of fascism already infecting our communities, and confront it before it's too late.

How does a country move from democracy to dictatorship? What are the techniques used by fascists to garner sympathy and seize control of discourse? How do they make political establishments panic? And what can we do about it? How do we turn our fear into our strength? How do we build a world based on human dignity?

Ece Temelkuran, the award-winning journalist and author, shares the lessons she's learnt from losing her own country, Turkey, and explains her plan for how to save them all.

By the end of the course, you will have learned:

  • Why fascism is a global, not national, problem
  • The tools populists use to build their movement
  • How to engage trolls online
  • What we need instead of hope
  • How to think about love as a political act
  • Which movements are already modelling what we need to combat fascism

 

As part of the course there are in-video quiz questions to consolidate your learning, and discussion boards to have your say.

IAI Academy courses are designed to be challenging but accessible to the interested student. No specialist knowledge is required.

About the Instructor

  • Ece Temelkuran

    A graduate of Ankara University's Faculty of Law, she was fired from her job as a TV presenter for criticizing the Turkish government over the Uludere massacre. She has published 12 books, and has been twice recognized as Turkey’s most read political columnist, and twice rated as one of the ten most influential people in social media.

Course Syllabus

  • Part One: How to Lose a Country
    Infantilisation of language, diminishing of nuance, trivialization of criticisms, an appeal to "real people" - Temelkuran examines the methods that would-be dictators use to erode democracy and gain power.
  • Part Two: How to Save a Country
    2020 was characterised by protests around the world; a clear sign that people aren't happy about the world we live in, and no longer trust those in power to change it. Temelkuran outlines the shifts in thinking necessary to achieve a better world.