How Fascism Works

The Politics of Us and Them

By: Jason Stanley

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

“No single book is as relevant to the present moment.”—Claudia Rankine, author of Citizen

“One of the defining books of the decade.”—Elizabeth Hinton, author of From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • Fascist politics are running rampant in America today—and spreading around the world. A Yale philosopher identifies the ten pillars of fascist politics, and charts their horrifying rise and deep history.

As the child of refugees of World War II Europe and a renowned philosopher and scholar of propaganda, Jason Stanley has a deep understanding of how democratic societies can be vulnerable to fascism: Nations don’t have to be fascist to suffer from fascist politics. In fact, fascism’s roots have been present in the United States for more than a century. Alarmed by the pervasive rise of fascist tactics both at home and around the globe, Stanley focuses here on the structures that unite them, laying out and analyzing the ten pillars of fascist politics—the language and beliefs that separate people into an “us” and a “them.” He knits together reflections on history, philosophy, sociology, and critical race theory with stories from contemporary Hungary, Poland, India, Myanmar, and the United States, among other nations. He makes clear the immense danger of underestimating the cumulative power of these tactics, which include exploiting a mythic version of a nation’s past; propaganda that twists the language of democratic ideals against themselves; anti-intellectualism directed against universities and experts; law and order politics predicated on the assumption that members of minority groups are criminals; and fierce attacks on labor groups and welfare. These mechanisms all build on one another, creating and reinforcing divisions and shaping a society vulnerable to the appeals of authoritarian leadership.

By uncovering disturbing patterns that are as prevalent today as ever, Stanley reveals that the stuff of politics—charged by rhetoric and myth—can quickly become policy and reality. Only by recognizing fascists politics, he argues, may we resist its most harmful effects and return to democratic ideals.

“With unsettling insight and disturbing clarity, How Fascism Works is an essential guidebook to our current national dilemma of democracy vs. authoritarianism.”—William Jelani Cobb, author of The Substance of Hope

©2018 Jason Stanley (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A vital read . . . The book provides a fascinating breakdown of the fascist ideology, nimbly interweaving examples from Germany, Italy and Hungary, from Rwanda and Myanmar to Serbia and, yes, the US. As he proceeds through his framework of the broadest features of his subject, Stanley includes smaller observations that may for some readers land bracingly close to home.”—The Guardian

“By placing Trump in transnational and transhistorical perspective, Stanley sees patterns that others miss. . . . Stanley’s comparative perspective is particularly effective in illustrating how fascists use fears of sexual violence. . . . By calling Trump a ‘fascist’—a word that strikes many Americans as alien and extreme—Stanley is trying to spark public alarm. He doesn’t want Americans to respond to Trump’s racist, authoritarian offensives by moving their moral goal posts. The greater danger, he suggests, isn’t hyperbole, it’s normalization.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

“Jason Stanley’s staggering analysis has only grown in importance since the release of How Fascism Works in 2018. It is one of the defining books of the decade.”—Elizabeth Hinton, author of From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime

A critically important check on normalizing Trump.

Every page is a wake up call. Systematic, historical, and crystal clear. Fascinating and disturbing.

A necessary antidote against upcoming fascism

This book gives an important perspective on the forces that make a dangerous demagogue become a powerful people that end up destroying what people hope for... tricking their base to make the wrong choices using fascist strategies.

Great book; lousy reader who says "DIM-o-crat"

Fascinating look at the multiple ways fascism starts and spreads in a country, and the playbook sure does follow US politics since Trump. I only wish the author had read this himself, as he's a fine speaker. Instead, the narrator misprounced several words, the most annoying of which is the weird "DIM-o-crat" and "DIM-o-cratic" instead of the proper "DEM..." (which he somehow DOES get right with "DEM-o-cracy"). Next time I'll read the paperback.

WHAT KIND OF AMERICA DO YOU WANT?

This book should be carefully read, (listened to), by every American who considers themselves to be patriots.

Should be required reading

This book is amazing. It should be required reading before voting. Or at least to graduate.

One of those "Everyone should read this" books

The theory us spot on and very insightful, the narrator is excellent and the subject is supremely relevant.

enjoyed, will listen again

Largely found value in statements and examples provided. that I then looked up to confirm ( this was said, or so n so did this or that) and yes, the author is correct. Sometimes a weighty statement is made without corroberating evidence / facts BUT as I had looked up other statements to confirm them ... then my doubt of truthfulness was dimmed. Again, I will be listening again as there is a lot to "unpack" Herr.

scary accurate

well written and absolutely terrifying in today's times. especially now four years later from when it was released.

It answers a lot of questions

It clearly describes the tactics and motivations of bad people who become “leaders.” It’s eye opening.

Excellent! Definitely recommend

Couldn’t stop once I started! I will definitely be purchasing the book itself!! Excellent! I like to listen to my books on here first before I decide to go ahead an purchase them, ya know, “save a tree” and all that, this is definitely one I will want to reread and study. 10/10 definitely recommend