Ruth Ben-Ghiat — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Author of the New York Times bestseller Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present (2020).
Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University.
Scholar on fascism and authoritarian leaders.
Writes for MSNBC, CNN, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post.
Advisor to Protect Democracy.
Holds a Ph.D. in comparative history from Brandeis University.

Biography

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an American history professor and political commentator, specializing in fascism and authoritarian leaders. She serves as a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University. Born in the United States, she earned a history degree from UCLA and a Ph.

D. in comparative history from Brandeis University. She was also the Spring 2023 Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.