419: David Shimer | 100 Years of Covert Election Interference

Origins

The origins of election interference trace back to the early 20th century with Soviet actions. David Shimer explains that Vladimir Lenin's establishment of the Communist International in 1919 marked the beginning of a global strategy to influence elections by spreading propaganda and financial support to communist parties worldwide 1. This evolved significantly after World War II, with Joseph Stalin's forces manipulating elections across Eastern Europe through altered ballots and purged voter rolls 1. Shimer highlights that the Soviet Union's methods are direct precursors to Russia's current tactics, which now utilize digital propaganda and hacking 1.

   

Global Strategy

Russia's global strategy for election interference aims to destabilize democracies by supporting divisive leaders. Shimer notes that this strategy is not limited to the United States but extends to countries like Ukraine, Montenegro, and Germany, where Russia seeks to undermine democratic processes 2. By showcasing the flaws in democratic systems, Putin strengthens his own autocratic rule by convincing his citizens that democracy is chaotic and undesirable 2.

The story is continuous, and we've seen Russia target in recent years, elections in Ukraine, in Montenegro, in the United Kingdom, in France, in Germany.

--- David Shimer

This ongoing threat requires a coordinated response from democracies worldwide to protect their electoral integrity 2.

   

Comparative Analysis

Comparing US and Russian election interference reveals both similarities and differences. Shimer points out that both nations have historically engaged in covert operations to influence foreign elections, but their motivations differ 3. While the US often justified its actions as supporting centrist candidates against communism, Russia's aim has been to destabilize democracies by supporting authoritarian figures 3.

The Soviet Union and Russia have always sought to support either communist or to hurt democratic systems, to tear them down.

--- David Shimer

Shimer argues that the US has largely moved away from such practices post-Cold War, whereas Russia has intensified its efforts, highlighting the need for the US to focus on renewing democracies rather than degrading them 4.