Guests include investigative journalists, military experts, and policy analysts. Topics discussed include drug pricing negotiations, the parallels between Medicare negotiation and Costco, history of communism, white supremacist violence, war in Ukraine, rise of hate-motivated attacks, challenges in addressing domestic terrorism, Biden's prescription drug pricing win, resumption of student loan interest, and Texas politics and education inequality.

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, VoxGuest: Jason Stanley (@jasonintrator), Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy, Yale University; authorReferences:  How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley (Random House; 2018) How Propaganda Works by Jason Stanley (Princeton; 2015) Enjoyed this episode? Rate Vox Conversations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of Vox Conversations by subscribing in your favorite podcast app.Support Vox Conversations by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Editor: Amy Drozdowska Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall Vox Audio Fellow: Victoria Dominguez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a compelling discussion, Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley, an expert on fascism, analyzes the implications of Donald Trump's recent rally at Madison Square Garden, drawing chilling parallels to a 1939 pro-Nazi event. He elaborates on the normalization of far-right rhetoric, systemic racism, and voter suppression in America today. Stanley stresses the vital role of transparent media reporting, local journalism, and community cohesion in defending democracy against authoritarianism, warning that history indeed echoes in our current political climate.

Jason Stanley, a Yale philosopher and expert on fascism, shares insights on the alarming parallels between Donald Trump's rhetoric and historical fascism, emphasizing the need for awareness in today's political climate. Nina Nesseth, a science writer, delves into the intricacies of horror films, explaining why we are drawn to fear. She discusses the mechanics of jump scares and the psychological impact of horror, revealing how these films tap into our innate fears while offering a unique communal experience. This engaging conversation melds politics and the art of fear.

Political strategist Rick Wilson critiques MAGA influencers tied to Russian funding. David Sirota discusses his podcast on how the right enables corruption through the Supreme Court. Yale Professor Jason Stanley examines how fascists rewrite history to consolidate power, as explored in his latest book. The conversation also reveals the connections between campaign finance, historical manipulation, and the current political landscape, offering a sharp critique of how democracy is threatened by these intertwined influences.