On Fascism: 12 Lessons From American History

An expert on American authoritarianism offers a searing rebuke to the “exceptional” narrative that dominates our understanding of US history. In 12 lessons, On Fascism exposes the divisive rhetoric, strongman tactics, violent othering, and mainstream attitudes that continue to course through American history—from the birth of the nation to Donald Trump.
An expert on American authoritarianism offers a searing rebuke to the “exceptional” narrative that dominates our understanding of US history. In 12 lessons, On Fascism exposes the divisive rhetoric, strongman tactics, violent othering, and mainstream attitudes that continue to course through American history—from the birth of the nation to Donald Trump.From the Declaration of Independence to the Bill of Rights, America’s founding documents aspire towards greater egalitarian, democratic principles. “We the People,” the Preamble of the Constitution begins, “in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence ,promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”The reality is very different. Did you know that 31% of Americans surveyed agree that having a strong leader who does not bother with Congress or elections is a good way to govern? Or that 13% of Americans do not respect the Bill of Rights, which guarantees our civil rights and liberties?Slavery. Jim Crow. The Chinese Exclusion Act. Indian removal. Japanese-American internment. The Palmer Raids. The Surveillance State. At every turning point in American history, we have witnessed the authoritarian impulses – against our better angels – drive policy and win public support.In On Fascism, MacWilliams indicts those of us who refuse to reckon with our sins, past and present. In doing so, we learn about many American heroes – like Ida B. Wells, who dedicated her life to documenting the horrors of lynching throughout the nation, or the young Jewish-American who took a beating for protesting a Nazi rally in New York City in 1939 – who lived up to the aspirations beset by our nation’s governing principles.As MacWilliams argues, only by facing the horrors of our past can we challenge the inequities of the present. On Fascism is a guide and a reckoning – and one we cannot ignore any longer.