Who Stays When Liberals Leave?
A new book discusses the impact of global emigration on political resistance to authoritarianism. It highlights how the departure of liberal individuals can weaken the constituencies that oppose oppressive regimes. The article features the story of Majid, a Syrian lawyer who faced imprisonment for his humanitarian work.
- ▪The book argues that emigration is eroding the support base for resisting authoritarian rule.
- ▪Majid, a public interest lawyer in Syria, was imprisoned for his defense of asylum seekers and political prisoners.
- ▪The narrative emphasizes the consequences of losing liberal voices in political landscapes.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Gil Guerra / May 19, 2026 Who Stays When Liberals Leave? A new book argues that global emigration is hollowing out the constituencies most likely to resist authoritarian rule. Politics (Illustration by Noah Hickey/The Dispatch. Photos via Getty Images). (Illustration by Noah Hickey/The Dispatch. Photos via Getty Images). Audio Turn any article into a podcast. Upgrade now to start listening. Text Size Members can share articles with friends & family to bypass the paywall. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads Email 0 Open and scroll to the comments section Majid worked as a public interest lawyer in Damascus, Syria, for 20 years, following a family tradition of six decades.
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