The U.S. has a strong and established nonprofit sector that's pushing back against threats to its independence. Moor Studio/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images Social scientists and commentators have for years been expressing concerns about what they call the “authoritarian playbook.” To be clear, no such book exists. But would-be and actual dictators do tend to follow a common set of strategies to consolidate power. Since the 2000s, populist leaders from Russia to Venezuela have used their c