The Guardian Asked Critics From Authoritarian Regimes What They Wish They’d Known Sooner.

Americans “should look to other countries, especially in the global south for solutions and for what not to do,” said Ece Temelkuran, a Turkish writer and author of How to Lose a Country. “Drop the arrogance, drop the exceptionalism.”

And Claudia Ortiz (El Salvador), federal deputy with the opposition Vamos party:

“You cannot make authoritarian leaders the center of your narrative,” said Ortiz. “You have to make the people the center of your narrative, and you have to be passionate about it.” [via Kottke.]