Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and author of the bestseller Prequel, discusses the alarming rise of authoritarianism in America. She emphasizes the cyclical nature of fascism and the necessity of historical lessons in combating it. Maddow highlights the importance of coalition-building among diverse groups to resist tyranny. She recounts heroic efforts from the past, including Leon Lewis's covert actions against fascists, and offers practical strategies for civic engagement to protect democracy.
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Authoritarianism Consolidates Power
Authoritarian leaders consolidate power by sidelining Congress and courts to rule by fiat.
Fascism collapses civil society into the state controlled by one man's impulses.
insights INSIGHT
Republican Shift to Authoritarianism
The Republican Party has combined voter suppression and hostility to civil rights into a broader authoritarian shift.
The current movement seeks to eliminate democratic accountability, unlike previous GOP strategies.
insights INSIGHT
Multi-Front Resistance Needed
Defeating fascism requires varied methods like democratic organizing, exposing corruption, and peaceful protests.
No single tactic suffices; involvement across many fronts is essential to resist authoritarianism.
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In 'The Dictator's Learning Curve', William J. Dobson provides a detailed examination of how modern dictators maintain power through subtle coercion and technological savvy, while also highlighting the strategies of democracy advocates. The book explores the evolving nature of authoritarian regimes and the ongoing battle between freedom and repression across the globe.
Prequel
An American Fight Against Fascism
Rachel Maddow
In 'Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism,' Rachel Maddow explores the clandestine network that flooded the U.S. with disinformation aimed at undermining the war effort and promoting antisemitism and authoritarian rule during World War II. The book details the sophisticated and well-funded campaign to destroy citizens' confidence in their elected leaders and the heroic efforts of activists, journalists, and prosecutors who exposed and countered this plot. Maddow draws parallels between these historical events and the present day, emphasizing the recurring tactics of fascist and authoritarian movements[2][4][5].
Today, the What A Day team is off. But we’re excited to bring you a recent episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams.
In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, we’ve watched Republicans erode American democracy with alarming speed. While this political moment may feel unprecedented, it isn’t new. America has dealt its share of far-right movements, fascist provocateurs, and anti-democratic threats. But time and again, heroes have risen to meet those moments. In this episode, Stacey unpacks how we’ve fought fascism before – and won. She’s joined by the host of MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.
Subscribe to Assembly Required wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
Learn & Do More:
Be Curious: History can be an extremely useful tool to help us navigate the present. Pick up Rachel Maddow’s book Prequel — now available in paperback anywhere books are sold. Also pick up the Assembly Required Recommended Read: The Dictator’s Learning Curve by William Dobson.
Solve problems: The best thing we can do right now is show up and use our voices. There are two key ways to do this. First: call your representatives! Democrat, Republican, Independent — it doesn’t matter. Tell them where you stand and why it matters. Second: get involved locally. Join a protest, volunteer to support a community that is particularly vulnerable right now, donate to a grassroots group in your area. Change starts with showing up, so let’s get to work.
Do Good: Not only has Trump waged a war on books, he’s waged a war on independent businesses. So if you’re interested in reading any of the books I mentioned today, or want to pick up our weekly recommended reading, purchase them at a local bookstore. If there isn’t a local option near you, or you just prefer the convenience of online shopping, check out small businesses that operate online — like Octavia’s Bookshelf.
What A Day 
