The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Why fascism in Post-Trump America isn't going away

Jan 28, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Yale professor Jason Stanley, an authority on fascism and author of "How Fascism Works," examines the unsettling rise of fascism in post-Trump America. He highlights how nostalgia and economic inequality create fertile ground for authoritarianism. Stanley explains the manipulation of racial divisions by political leaders and warns of the erosion of truth in public discourse. He emphasizes the need to address systemic inequalities and restore accountability to safeguard democracy against potential fascist resurgence.
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INSIGHT

Fascism Defined

  • Fascism is a cult of the leader who promises national restoration.
  • It targets a disgruntled majority, blaming minorities and leftists for their problems.
INSIGHT

Fascist Solutions

  • Fascist leaders promise to suppress minority uprisings and seal borders against immigrants.
  • They scapegoat minorities and leftists, exploiting existing anxieties within the dominant group.
INSIGHT

The Role of Nostalgia

  • Nostalgia is central to fascism, appealing to a dominant group’s sense of a lost golden age.
  • This nostalgia creates a powerful emotional hook, making people yearn for a return to a time of perceived greatness.
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