[TEASER] How Fascism Works

7 snips

Apr 15, 2025

Explore the deep connections between fascism and capitalism as the historical roots reveal manipulation of worker patriotism. Delve into Mussolini's transition from socialism to fascism and the implications for today's society. The dynamics between fascism and liberalism highlight how the latter's weaknesses pave the way for extremist ideologies. Economic struggles post-World War I illustrate the erosion of workers' rights, reminding us of ongoing threats to organized labor. This analysis invites listeners to consider the relevance of fascist critiques in contemporary contexts.

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ANECDOTE

Mussolini Memorabilia in NYC

A novelty shop in New York sold Mussolini posters and t-shirts.
The clerk said some people might want someone like Mussolini in this country today.

INSIGHT

Fascism as Capitalism Crisis

Fascism is capitalism in crisis needing a crisis to emerge.
Trump embodies the authoritarian leader paradoxically rising in current capitalist struggles.

INSIGHT

Modern Fascism Targets Liberalism

Fascism today is not reacting to real communist movements in the US.
It mainly opposes liberalism's limited safety nets, not socialism or communism.

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In this episode of our reading series, Robbie reads and provides real-time analysis of the opening chapter of the classic book Blackshirts & Reds: Rational Fascism & the Overthrow of Communism by Michael Parenti. The text covers the topics of plutocracy and autocracy, whom the fascists last century supported, a bit of history on Hitler and Mussolini, the rational and irrational aspects of fascism, patriarchy and pseudo-revolution, collaboration, and much more.

The analysis provided in the reading brings this text into our current conditions and looks at where Parenti's analysis holds up and where it might need to be stretched and adapted to help us understand the rise of neofascism in the United States under Trump and his modern day fascist footsoldiers. We explain why it's more important than ever to resist collaboration and to stand in full solidarity with all of the racialized and criminalized "others" in order to combat the fearmongering and scapegoating that fascism relies on in order to grow in strength.

Further resources:

Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism, by Michael Parenti

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