Conspirituality

Brief: Antifascist Woodshed

Feb 22, 2025

Dive into a critical review of six essential books that define fascism and document the resistance against it. Explore diverse perspectives on political activism, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among liberals and leftists. Discover the tactical insights from history on how coups succeed—focusing on strategy over ideology. Finally, arm yourself with grassroots methods and legal strategies to effectively combat fascism, sparking a conversation on the ethics of resistance.

35:05

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Quick takeaways

Timothy Snyder's 'On Tyranny' emphasizes practical community engagement and ethical personal conduct as crucial defenses against authoritarianism.

Mark Bray's 'Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook' advocates for direct action and community organizing as vital strategies in the fight against fascism.

Deep dives

Understanding Anti-Fascism Through Literature

The review covers six significant books addressing the historical context and opposition to fascism. Timothy Snyder's 'On Tyranny' highlights lessons from the 20th century, suggesting practical steps like fostering community and maintaining personal ethics against authoritarianism. In contrast, Robert Paxton's 'Anatomy of Fascism' offers a more nuanced perspective on the behaviors of fascist movements, asserting that successful fascism relies on political opportunity rather than ideology alone. Paul Mason's 'How to Stop Fascism' underscores the necessity of collaboration between liberals and leftists to counter fascist threats, drawing on historical lessons from past alliances and their implications for contemporary society.

Intro

2min

Examining Anti-Fascist Literature

10min

Understanding Fascism and Anti-Fascism

18min

The Tactical Anatomy of Coups: Lessons from History

3min

Grassroots Strategies Against Fascism

2min

Education / Public service alert:

Matthew critically reviews six books that define fascist eras and recount how they have been opposed. A kind of “here we are, now what?” episode that hopefully interrupts the doomscroll with the sobriety of some practical considerations.

Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny (2017)
Robert Paxton, Anatomy of Fascism (2004)
Paul Mason, How to Fight Fascism (2018)
Mark Bray, Antifa: The Antifascist Handbook (2017)
Curzio Malaparte: Technique de Coup d’Etat (1931)
Spencer Sunshine: 40 Ways to Fight Fascists: Street-Legal Tactics for Community Activists (2021)

Formats range from popular nonfiction to academic history to pragmatic field guide. Politics range from liberal to anarchist. More feminist and non-white sources to be reviewed soon.