The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Best of: Why fascism in America isn't going away

Jan 3, 2022

In a riveting discussion, Yale professor Jason Stanley, an expert in fascism and political philosophy, dives deep into the troubling rise of fascism in America. He illustrates how the January 6th Capitol riot reflects the fragility of democracy, emphasizing the role of propaganda in shaping political narratives. Stanley highlights the dangers of nostalgia and how it fuels extremist sentiments. He also critiques Donald Trump, arguing that his antics serve as a distraction from serious issues, while stressing the need to confront systemic inequalities to protect democratic values.

49:33

Episode guests

Jason Stanley

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Fascism is service of the (often ethnic) majority, not just disillusioned

02:28

Ted Cruz and Josh Holley are the fascist elite of the elite

02:43

Truth is a precondition for freedom and democracy

04:31

Democracy produces fascism

04:51

Intro

3min

Rising Fascism and Political Fragility

10min

Nostalgia's Grip: Fascism and the Mythical Past

7min

The Impact of Fascism on Truth and Political Discourse

4min

Trump and the Spectacle of Power

10min

Democracy, Free Speech, and the Rise of Tyranny

12min

Vox's Sean Illing talks to Yale professor and author Jason Stanley about why American democracy provides such fertile soil for fascism, how Donald Trump demonstrated how easy it was for our country to flirt with a fascist future and what we can do about it.

Correction (2/1/21): Professor Stanley suggested in this conversation that West Virginia declined to expand the Medicaid option in 2013. In fact, the state did expand the program and has gradually added enrollment since 2013.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Jason Stanley (@jasonintrator), Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy, Yale University; author

References:

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley (Random House; 2018)
How Propaganda Works by Jason Stanley (Princeton; 2015)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall
Vox Audio Fellow: Victoria Dominguez

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