Making Sense with Sam Harris #456 — American Fascism
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Feb 4, 2026 
Jonathan Rauch, journalist and author who wrote the piece 'Yes, It's Fascism.' He explains why he adopted the term and outlines 18 traits he sees in American politics. They discuss norm demolition as a deliberate strategy. They examine the glamorization of state violence and how clownish theatrics can mask dangerous ambitions.
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From Patrimonialism To Naming Fascism
- Jonathan Rauch shifted from calling Trump a 'patrimonialist' to accepting the fascism label after seeing more features emerge.
- He compiled 18 characteristics of fascism to name and frame the phenomenon for public understanding.
Patrimonialism Undermines Competence
- Patrimonialism treats the state as the leader's personal property and weakens bureaucratic competence by replacing experts with loyalists.
- Rauch argues patrimonialism harms governance even before any ideological or violent turn emerges.
We Live In A Hybrid State
- Rauch distinguishes fascist leaders and enablers from a fully fascist regime fused with the state, noting the U.S. is a hybrid with a fascist leader.
- He assembled traits that fit fascism and clash with liberal pluralism to diagnose the current direction.
