Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue

In this episode, I explore three traits of fascism—rampant sexism, control of mass media, and obsession with national security—through the lens of the Trump administration. From Donald Trump’s public insults, harassment allegations, and policy decisions affecting women, to attacks on journalists, media lawsuits, and attempts to shape public perception. The episode also delves into militarization, expanded enforcement agencies, record defense budgets, and the politicization of the military. Finally, I consider human psychology, exploring why ordinary people support authoritarian leaders, the role of fear, and the mechanisms that sustain loyalty.Sourceshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/18/trump-calls-reporter-piggy-bloomberg?https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/26/trump-insults-new-york-times-reporter-katie-rogershttps://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/donald-trump-miss-piggy?https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/assault-allegations-donald-trump-recapped?https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37595321https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/dangerous-step-backward-our-democracy-league-women-voters-responds-passage?https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/what-is-the-save-act-and-why-are-democrats-opposed-to-trumps-pitch/3899768/https://time.com/7276543/title-x-funding-freeze-threatens-states/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/24/civil-rights-trump-order?https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13057https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2025/07/17/trump-files-defamation-suit-over-wall-street-journal-story-on-his-epstein-tieshttps://apnews.com/article/epstein-justice-department-trump-793e47b09863f5a55e54040c891291d8https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/latest-epstein-document-release-includes-multiple-trump-mentions?https://people.com/trump-longest-state-of-the-union-doesnt-mention-epstein-files-11913914?https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/sep/22/jimmy-kimmel-show-return-charlie-kirk-suspension-disneyhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-is-the-equal-time-rule-that-colbert-says-led-cbs-to-pull-his-talarico-interviewhttps://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-new-york-times-b2a615192ebe2dcec859eb883368dfbbhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jan/30/press-freedom-journalist-arrests-ice-don-lemonhttps://www.wistv.com/2026/01/30/journalist-don-lemon-is-arrested-after-protest-that-disrupted-service-minnesota-church/https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4119896/securing-the-southern-border-two-months-of-decisive-action/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-hegseth-military-leaders-meeting/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-funding-big-beautiful-bill-trump-deportations/https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/ice-budge-military-spending-trump-b2790555.htmlhttps://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4227847/senior-officials-outline-presidents-proposed-fy26-defense-budget/https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/foreign-policy/trump-pushes-putin-and-zelenskyy-to-end-war-in-ukrainehttps://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-zelenskyy-ukraine-854b13006d0601223e5ac8d955b08a8bhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-some-people-follow-authoritarian-leaders-and-the-key-to-stopping-it/https://www.psypost.org/perceived-social-breakdown-fuels-desire-for-authoritarian-leaders-new-psychology-study-shows/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance/202009/why-do-people-follow-authoritarian-leaders

In this episode, we explore the historical roots of fascism and four core traits: extreme nationalism, disregard for human rights, scapegoating, and military supremacy. Fascism is defined as a far-right ideology that elevates the nation above the individual, centralizes power, suppresses dissent, and often pursues expansionist policy. We examine early 20th-century Europe, including Italy and Germany to trace patterns leading to World War II.Laurence Britt’s “14 characteristics of fascism” are discussed as a framework for analysis. The first four traits are then applied to contemporary U.S. politics, including nationalism, executive power, immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and foreign policy. We also explore distinctions between patriotism and nationalism, and historical examples of resistance such as the Baltic “Singing Revolution,” Spain’s post-Franco transition, and Chile’s 1988 referendum ending Pinochet’s rule.Finally, we consider research on civic engagement and nonviolent movements, including the “3.5% rule,” alongside practical participation like voting, local involvement, and peaceful protest. The episode concludes by reflecting on citizens’ responsibilities when democratic norms are challenged.Sourceshttps://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/fascism-1https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/spanish-civil-warhttps://theconversation.com/what-is-fascism-153947https://voxpopulisphere.com/2017/08/23/lawrence-britt-14-characteristics-of-fascism/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/holocaust-museum-warning-signs-fascism/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nationalism-vs-Patriotism-Whats-the-Differencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ92vwYOVeAhttps://time.com/7335069/spain-franco-fascism-death-anniversary/https://www.fpri.org/article/2016/10/singing-revolution-past-present/https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/media/series/68/democratic-development-and-reckoning-with-the-past-the-case-of-spain-in-comparative-context-2https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/civil-disobedience/https://www.britannica.com/topic/civil-disobediencehttps://www.britannica.com/topic/satyagraha-philosophyhttps://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights#overviewhttps://fairvote.org/press/house-elections-broken-release-2025/https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/Erica%20Chenoweth_2020-005.pdfhttps://whyy.org/articles/trump-administration-deportation-error-abrego-garcia/https://www.npr.org/2025/10/24/nx-s1-5585181/congress-is-investigating-cases-of-u-s-citizens-detained-in-immigration-raidshttps://abcnews.go.com/US/ice-memo-allows-agents-enter-homes-judicial-warrant/story?id=129436766https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/trump-strategy-document-revives-monroe-doctrine-slams-europe-2025-12-05/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/trump-expansionism-threatens-the-rules-based-order-in-place-since-second-world-warhttps://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-10-07/trump-says-migrants-whove-committed-murder-have-brought-a-lot-of-bad-genes-in-our-countryhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/renee-good-autopsy-ice-minneapolishttps://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5https://people.com/va-doctor-remembers-alex-pretti-37-year-old-icu-nurse-killed-by-ice-exclusive-11892030https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2ehttps://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11357

Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue is dedicated to defending constitutional government and promoting the principles of American democracy while examining the rise of authoritarianism and fascism. In a time when democratic institutions face increasing threats, this podcast explores the trends, ideas, and actions that endanger the rule of law, civil liberties, and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Preserving American democracy is essential for safeguarding the rights, security, and well-being of all citizens.Through thoughtful discussion and clear explanations, each episode helps listeners recognize authoritarian tendencies and understand why defending democratic institutions is urgent.The first episode, “Setting the Stage: Defending Democracy Amid Rising Authoritarianism and Fascism,” introduces the mission of the podcast, defines key concepts like authoritarianism and fascism, and emphasizes the increasing authoritarian and fascist tendencies in U.S. political life.This podcast provides a platform for dialogue, reflection, and understanding. Listeners are encouraged to explore, question, and engage with the material to form their own insights about the challenges facing American democracy today. Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue is committed to clarity, honesty about perspectives, and providing a framework for recognizing and resisting threats to constitutional governance.Subscribe to follow the series and join the conversation on protecting American democracy and ensuring the longevity of constitutional government.Show Sourceshttps://winstonchurchill.org/resources/quotes/the-worst-form-of-government/https://www.acton.org/research/lord-acton-quote-archivehttps://www.britannica.com/topic/authoritarianism?utmhttps://www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/authoritarianism/?utmhttps://banotes.org/comparative-government-politics/nature-characteristics-authoritarian-regimes/?utmhttps://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-weimar-republichttps://ithy.com/article/america-weimar-comparison-dm14l9nh?utmhttps://www.princetonpoliticalreview.org/international-news/viktor-orbns-hungary-corruption-repression-amp-democratic-backslidinghttps://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/democracy-governance/rise-western-anti-democracy-movementshttps://www.theweek.in/news/middle-east/2025/05/16/turkey-s-authoritarian-turn-erdogan-s-regime-is-shedding-its-democratic-pretence.html?utmhttps://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/08/us-democratic-backsliding-in-comparative-perspective?lang=enhttps://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/05/democracy-turkey?utmhttps://www.foreignaffairs.com/turkey/turkey-now-full-blown-autocracy-erdogan-imamoglu?check_logged_in=1&utm_medium=promo_email&utm_source=lo_flows&utm_campaign=article_link&utm_term=article_email&utm_content=20260103