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How to Fight Authoritarianism by Understanding Its Support Systems

The Horizons Project explains how authoritarian leaders stay in power through support from key groups called 'pillars.' These pillars include businesses, faith communities, professional groups, labor unions, and veterans' groups. The organization uses research to understand how these groups provide resources and legitimacy to authoritarian systems. By identifying these support systems, pro-democracy organizers can develop better strategies to protect democracy. The framework helps activists understand that power flows upward through specific institutions, and by targeting these institutions, movements can weaken authoritarian control. Horizons provides tools, research, and case studies from around the world to help people take effective pro-democracy action. Their work focuses on building diverse coalitions that can strategically challenge threats to democratic institutions and norms.