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

Just What It Is

The comparisons with various countries as they move into fascism helps a lot to see what's happening in the world and in our own country. The US is not the only country heading into trouble claiming those not like "us" are therefore enemies. Forcing "them" into dehumanizing situations should awaken each of us to the dangers we face ourselves unless we join the in-group. Having spent much time studying the 1920s, 30s and 40s, I had already recognized much of what is happening now. We still have some who are willing to fight for the rights of ALL, including ourselves. We have to actively work to maintain our democracy.

Insightful and Prescient

An absolute must read in a day and age where fascist sentiment is rapidly overtaking American life. Stanley illustrates the many ways that the inherent contradiction between capitalist and democratic values make way for fascist propaganda to infiltrate political and social discourse, slowly normalizing its principles to an ostensibly liberal society.

Truth Explained

This book simplified the steps of how we lose our Democracy to a dictator. And currently happening right now in 2024. It's unbelievable that people voted for Trump. Basically giving up our Democracy to a Strongman.

I don't think we're quite to fascism yet

I completly understand where the author is coming from, but it's written as though the US is already a Fascist nation. I think if we're not careful, we could get there, but we're not there yet. Clearly, the left calls the far right Fascists - so now I need to read a book on Socialism to see what the Right thinks the Left is.

Well researched and thought provoking

The author provides a concerning look into the history of fascism and compares many aspects to modern day political movements and ‘strong man’ politics. I wish everyone would listen to this and gain a informed perspective on the events we are all experiencing and the danger in supporting certain paths. The narrator was great and I welcomed the opportunity to listen to the book over a series of days.

A must read for our time!

This book helped me understand what fascism is, what it looks like, what tactics and approaches it employs and I am shocked at how much the US is clearly becoming increasingly fascist. It’s up to us to learn about subjects like this so we can protect our delicate democracy- one citizen at a time.

This is great :) I now know what fascism is

I did not know what fascism was. It is kind of like defining a city. It's not just in the name. I cannot just be a building, a street, a pipe, a school, a shop, or a park. It is the collection of many elements that individually does not define a city but collectively does. Same with fascism.

I was surprised that the author has a great revulsion to Trump. But after the millionth example on how Trump undermined American democracy and used the exact same tactics as the (German bad guys from 1940s). I do think to myself... Fair.

Overall, it is an educational and inspiring book that goes over the basics of this political tool that for sure we are experiencing in the world right now. I do recommend it.

A must read

An excellent, easy to understand look at facist politics, both historically and in the contemporary world.

Incisive and Frighteningl

Eye opening work. Trump is following the fascist playbook to a T. A must read.

Great book, I only wish it were longer

I was enthralled for the duration of this book, and could easily have listened to it for twice as long.