What is Fascism?

In this powerful return to the mic, Dave Glaser breaks down the urgent question: "What is fascism?" Drawing from the book Fascism: A Warning by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Dave explores the core traits of fascism and why the U.S. might be on a dangerous trajectory today. Through a comparative historical lens, Dave discusses how Trump aligns more with Mussolini than Hitler—but cautions that the outcomes could be equally alarming. This episode isn't just political commentary—it's a passionate call to stay informed, resist complacency, and speak truth to power while we still can. 📌 Key Topics Covered 📖 Madeleine Albright's definition of fascism: "Not an ideology, but a process for taking and holding power born out of social division and discontent." 🇮🇹 Trump vs. Mussolini: Similarities in administrative overreach Desire for total control over departments Incompetence in governance 🇩🇪 Trump vs. Hitler: Hitler's rise was bolstered by economic recovery via military expansion Trump drives recession, social division, and executive chaos 🧠 Key traits of fascism (from Fascism: A Warning): "Us vs. them" mentality Demonization of minorities and the press Disregard for democratic institutions and rule of law Use of violence to maintain power Erosion of truth as a political weapon ⚖️ Modern examples of fascist behavior: Attacks on journalists ICE funding and unchecked power Executive actions without accountability SCOTUS manipulation (e.g., Justice Roberts' role) 📚 Additional Recommended Reading: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder How to Survive a Dictator Don't Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff 📊 Current political context: Shutdown of Congress blocking Adelita Grijalva's swearing-in ICE's $180B budget increase while SNAP is cut Trump's administrative "self-payment" of $230M Growing support for progressives like Mondaire Jones, AOC, and Bernie Sanders 🗣️ Notable Quotes "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does inform." – Dave Glaser (quoting On Tyranny) "A fascist is unconcerned with the rights of others. They will undermine democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the press." "We need to engage the middle—not argue with MAGA." "Fascism can happen in any democracy. It creeps in, unnoticed, until it's too late." 🧠 Takeaways & Actions Understand the warning signs of fascism before it's too late. Share the episode with people in the middle—those who may not be fully aware of what's happening. Read the books mentioned to build your knowledge base. Get involved in local and national elections, especially special elections in places like Houston and Arizona. Support progressive candidates with strong grassroots presence. 📺 Watch/Listen 🎧 Podcast: Available Monday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube 📱 TikTok: Follow @DaveGlaser for live simulcasts and commentary 📬 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to future episodes of It Could Always Be Worse 💬 Engage With the Show Have questions, thoughts, or want to join the book club? 👉 Drop your comments on TikTok @dave.glaser