Super Short Summary

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us Versus Them by Jason Stanley is a nonfiction book analyzing ten strategies used by fascist politicians to gain and consolidate power in democratic states, from mythologizing the past to exploiting societal divisions and undermining intellectualism. Stanley uses historical and contemporary examples, such as Nazi Germany and the United States, to illustrate how fascist politics thrive in moments of socio-economic turmoil, creating fear and factionalism that undermine reasoned discourse and democratic values. Topics of sexual assault, violence, and racism are discussed in context.