Fascism: A Warning

“Fascist attitudes take hold when there are no social anchors and when the perception grows that everybody lies, steals, and cares only about him- or herself.”

Albright uses the metaphor of "social anchors" to emphasize the importance of shared societal values in preventing the rise of fascism. This quote illustrates how the breakdown of trust within institutions opens the door for authoritarianism, highlighting The Fragility of Democracy. The suggestion that fascism thrives on disillusionment serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of widespread corruption and self-interest.

“One reason, frankly, is Donald Trump. If we think of fascism as a wound from the past that had almost healed, putting Trump in the White House was like ripping off the bandage and picking at the scab.”

Albright's analogy of a wound reflects the fragile state of democracy, suggesting that Trump's rise exacerbated societal tensions and divisions. By comparing Trump to a “wound” being reopened, she highlights the dangers of allowing unresolved issues of nationalism and authoritarianism to resurface. This image starkly portrays the re-emergence of historical threats to democracy in the present day.

“Fascism concerns itself less with specific policies than with finding a pathway to power.”

This quote underscores the adaptability of fascism, focusing on power as its core objective rather than a fixed ideology. Albright's analysis reveals the dangerous flexibility of fascist movements, which shift their messages to manipulate public sentiment and seize control.