Jason Stanley is a philosopher at Yale University whose work delves into the nature and history of propaganda. His writing examines how power structures employ language and narratives to shape public perception, dissecting the mechanisms that sustain authoritarian systems. Stanley's analyses illuminate how to cultivate and defend democratic thought in the face of disinformation. His work serves as an essential guide to understanding the complex dynamics of power and ideology in the contemporary world.
How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future
256 pages
9 hours of reading
The book presents a critical examination of the current socio-political landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for action to prevent the rise of fascism in society. It serves as a strategic guide, outlining the challenges faced and proposing solutions to safeguard democratic values. Through compelling arguments and insights, the author aims to mobilize readers to engage in activism and foster resilience against authoritarianism. This essential read calls for awareness and proactive measures in the face of growing threats to freedom and justice.
Jason Stanley reveals how the liberties of the people wither when voters
embrace politicians who promote the divisive politics of us versus them while
denigrating cooperation, compromise, and respect for others. How Fascism Works
builds on philosopher Stanley's insightful How Propaganda Works to explain in
concise and easily understood terms how people get tricked into reversing the
expanding rights that made America great.-David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize-
winning author of It's Even Worse Than You Think and The Making of Donald
Trump An endless question about history-does it repeat itself? The Allies
triumphed over fascism nearly seventy-five years ago. But is it on the rise
again? The national populism of Trump and Bannon; Brexit; Orban and the rise
of the Hungarian right; the Italian five-star movement; Erdogan-Jason Stanley
has in this extraordinary book tried to answer these questions. For those in
denial or in doubt, Stanley's book provides overwhelming evidence that fascism
is alive, well, and on the rise. It's a clarion call to wake up, pay
attention, and do something. No one has any doubt that fascism works; the
question remains: How do we stop it? Stanley tells us that fascism is not a
plan on how to govern but a plan on how to seize control. This is an important
and essential book.-Errol Morris, filmmaker and author of The Ashtray There
are moments in which the fate of humanity itself hangs in the balance, and
such times always bring with them the resurrection of ugly myths. And yet, as
Jason Stanley, one of this nation's most important philosophers, makes clear,
when such myths are deconstructed and their history is laid bare, we remember
the extraordinary ties that in fact bind us together. And in the fire of that
powerful recollection, modern-day fascism-the current myth-dependent moment of
intolerance, xenophobia, and fearmongering in which we find ourselves-can be
rendered to ash.-Heather Ann Thompson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Blood
in the Water Jason Stanley's book comes at a most propitious time, when we
must come to grips with the political consequences that may follow the rise of
xenophobic populism. History teaches what those consequences are, and in his
book Stanley, with great analytical and conceptual clarity, not only tells the
story but more crucially provides a critical framework through which to see
the insidious mechanisms at play that are threatening today's democracies
around the globe. How Fascism Works is a must-read for all of us who take
seriously our responsibility as citizens.-Jan T. Gross, author of Neighbors A
sharply argued and timely guide . . . Stanley's highlighting of the politics
of sexual anxiety is particularly welcome and relevant.-Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author
of Italian Fascism's Empire Cinema With unsettling insight and disturbing
clarity, How Fascism Works is an essential guidebook to our current national
dilemma of democracy vs. authoritarianism. The fingerprints of the fascist
past are visible in the present, and this volume bravely shines a light upon
them.-William Jelani Cobb, author of The Substance of Hope
Our democracy today is fraught with political campaigns, lobbyists, liberal media, and Fox News commentators, all using language to influence the way we think and reason about public issues. Even so, many of us believe that propaganda and manipulation aren't problems for us--not in the way they were for the totalitarian societies of the mid-twentieth century. In How Propaganda Works, Jason Stanley demonstrates that more attention needs to be paid. He examines how propaganda operates subtly, how it undermines democracy--particularly the ideals of democratic deliberation and equality--and how it has damaged democracies of the past.
Exploring the interplay between context and language, Jason Stanley's collection of essays offers a nuanced theory of how situational factors influence communication. The work is both clear and concise, making it accessible to philosophers, linguists, and cognitive scientists engaged in language acquisition, production, and interpretation. It delves into the complexities of how our environment shapes our spoken words, providing valuable insights for those studying the nature of language.
