Fascism in the United States

It is common to hear references to "the f-word" in relation to politics in America today. But there is a disagreement as to whether this label is appropriate. Does calling out fascism illuminate or obscure what is happening in the United States?

Join us at Clio's for two events that move beyond polling averages into a deeper understanding of political trends at work in the United States.

Tuesday September 24th, 7 pm: Historian Matthew Specter unpacks his contribution to Fascism in America: Past and Present, "Nationalism, Nativism and the Fascism Question, 1880-2020." Why is immigration a continual flashpoint for right-wing politics? What do we discover when recent developments around border politics are placed within a longer historical perspective? Specter will discuss why the group of scholars who contributed to this volume decided that the fascist label was historically accurate, and why making this claim was politically necessary. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Monday September 30th, 7 pm: UC Berkeley sociologist Dylan Riley discusses his Microverses: Observations from a Shattered Present and The Civic Foundations of Fascism in Europe. In these books, Riley argues that because the broader structural elements that supported the emergence of fascism in Europe are not in place in the United States, fascism and Trumpism must be understood as distinct political phenomena. At Clio's, Riley will share his research and insights into the complex interplay between economic structures, political elites, and mass political behavior. Copies of his books will be available for purchase at the event.

Both conversations will be moderated by Keally McBride, Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco.

Host or Publisher Clio's Books