In a recent interview, Jason Stanley, a Yale professor and fascism expert now residing in Canada, expressed his concerns about the U.S. sliding into fascism. He argued that this trend is global, with the U.S. experiencing a quicker and more violent descent. He highlighted incidents like the killing of right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk, which has fueled a campaign of intimidation against dissenters.
Stanley, who fled the U.S. due to its political climate, feels safer in Canada and continues to draw parallels between current events and historical fascism, referencing Kristallnacht and the militarization of law enforcement. He warns that Australia, despite recent electoral successes for the center-left, remains vulnerable to a similar rise in fascism due to its historical context and ongoing anti-immigrant rhetoric.
He emphasized that fascism often disguises itself in democratic language, and nations can exist on a spectrum between democracy and fascism. The implications of America’s decline impact global democratic standards, normalizing fascist movements worldwide. Stanley cautioned that reversing fascism is challenging and questioned the future of democracies around the world, suggesting that many might not survive.
