The Wannabe Fascists

A Guide to Understanding the Greatest Threat to Democracy

By: Federico Finchelstein

Narrated by: Tom Beyer

Meet today's almost fascists and learn the warning signs to intercept them on the road from populism to dictatorship.

With The Wannabe Fascists, historian Federico Finchelstein offers a precise explanation of why Trumpism and similar movements across the world belong to a new political breed, the last outcome of the combined histories of fascism and populism: the wannabe fascists. This new type of populist politician is typically a legally elected leader who, unlike previous populists who were eager to distance themselves from fascism, turns to totalitarian lies, racism, and illegal means to destroy democracy from within.

Drawing on almost three decades of research on the histories of fascism and populism around the world, this book lays out in clear language what the author calls the "four pillars of fascism"—xenophobia, propaganda, political violence, and ultimately dictatorship. Finchelstein carefully explains how and why wannabe fascists like Trump, Bolsonaro, and Modi embrace the first three pillars but don't quite succeed in dictatorship and total suppression of the popular vote. The Wannabe Fascists stresses the importance of preventing despots from reaching this tipping point and offers a clear warning for what's at stake.

©2024 Federico Finchelstein (P)2024 Kalorama

Elected Dictator?

This is a well written view the History of fascism. One can see how it was brought into this world & passed around thru the Ages & is still morphing to finish the deception!

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

We thought we were rid of them in the 1940s after their disastrous attempts at state building ended in devastation. But, no, they kept lurking there in the sewers of society and now have emerged, brought out of hiding, all the creepy crawly maggots (MAGAts), slithering out of the fetid dung piles on which they have sustained themselves these long years. Called forth by a new demilord, a false prophet, an unlikely Pied Piper, not playing beguiling, entrancing melodies, but burping and vomiting out a morass of fecal matter upon which these MAGAts feed.

The author provided us with a history and guide book of this roiling mass of vileness. Acquaint yourselves with the wannabe rulers so you know who to stamp out before it is too late. It might already be too late.