Tuesday, April 1, 2025
 
 
Kathleen McLaughlin to Share Lessons About Authoritarianism
Loading
Kathleen McLaughlin’s “Blood Money” began with her smuggling medication made from plasma into China since that country could supply what she needed to treat a chronic illness. COURTESY: The Community Library
   
Monday, March 31, 2025
 

BY KAREN BOSSICK

Explore what Americans can learn about authoritarianism from China when foreign correspondent Kathleen McLaughlin gives a free presentation at Ketchum’s Community Library.

McLaughlin will present “Inequality and the Rise of Authoritarianism: Lessons from China to the U.S.” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at The Community Library.

The talk will examine how socioeconomic inequality has given rise to authoritarianism around the world. It will also examine parallels between China and the United States right now and offer suggestions on how Americans might protect their democracy and democratic norms.

McLaughlin, who is based in Butte, Mont., is spending three weeks in the Wood River Valley as the Writer-in-Residence at the historic Ernest and Mary Hemingway House, which is managed by The Community Library. She is working on a variety of projects while here.

“I'm so grateful to The Community Library for this gift of time and space in a place with such apparent creative energy,” said McLaughlin. “While I'm here in Ketchum, I'll be wrapping up an edited anthology collection, beginning work on a new book of my own, as well as working on a radio documentary for the BBC World Service. Having unrestricted solo time and space in a gorgeous setting to really focus on these projects is invaluable.”

McLaughlin worked as a foreign correspondent in China for 16 years where she covered labor unrest, politics and health and science. Her work centers on socioeconomic class, labor rights and inequality around the world, and how those factors shape global, national and local politics.

While in Beijing, she uncovered problems in China’s electronics supply chains and China’s health aid to Africa. She was the only American journalist allowed into Tibet on an independent reporting trip following riots in 2008.

Her 2023 book, Blood Money: The Story of Life, Death, and Profit Inside America's Blood Industry, an investigation of the global plasma industry, sheds light on the erosion of social safety nets in the United States that has quietly led millions of Americans to sell their blood to get by.

To see McLaughlin’s presentation in person, RSVP at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/14209496. The program will also be livestreamed and available to watch at https://vimeo.com/event/4992404.

~  Today's Topics ~


Valet Service Aims to Ease Parking Crunch

Shoshone-Bannock Treaties to Go Under the Microscope

Hagenbuch and Diggins Crowned National Champions in Final Race of Nordic Season
 
 

 

 

 
Website problems? Contact:
Michael Hobbs
General Manager /Webmaster
Mike@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
Got a story? Contact:
Karen Bossick
Editor in Chief
(208) 578-2111
Karen@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
 
Advertising /Marketing /Public Relations
Leisa Hollister
Chief Marketing Officer
(208) 450-9993
leisahollister@gmail.com
 
Brandi Huizar
Talent / AE
(208) 329-2050
brandi@eyeonsunvalley.com
 
 
ABOUT US
EyeOnSunValley.com is the largest online daily news media service in The Wood River Valley, publishing 7 days a week. Our website publication features current news articles, feature stories, local sports articles and video content articles. The Eye On Sun Valley Show is a weekly primetime television show focusing on highlighted news stories of the week airing Monday-Sunday, COX Channel 13. See our interactive Kiosks around town throughout the Wood River Valley!
 
info@eyeonsunvalley.com      Press Releases only
 
P: 208.720.8212
P.O. Box 1453 Ketchum, ID  83340
LOGIN

© Copyright 2023 Eye on Sun Valley