University of Sussex
Browse

It is time to use the F word about Trump: fascism, populism and the rebirth of history

Download (630.87 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2024-02-08, 11:41 authored by Dennis TourishDennis Tourish
Donald Trump and the movement that he represents pose grave dangers for democracy in America, and throughout the world. I argue that it is now appropriate to describe Trumpism as a form of fascism. The events of January 6th 2001, when an attempted insurrection sought to prevent the certification of Joe Biden as President, and the agenda that Trump and his supporters are developing for a proposed second term, are viewed as turning points that have transformed Trumpism from populism into an increasingly open form of fascism. I therefore analyse Trump’s rise to power, before discussing the nature of fascism in-depth and considering how Trumpism measures up to the criteria commonly identified as characterising fascism. It also means recognising that without the person of Donald Trump at the helm the MAGA movement will remain a potent threat for the foreseeable future. But it can be defeated. Thus, I identify some of the factors that enabled fascist movements to take state power in the 1920s and 1930s. Its victories were not inevitable then and are not inevitable now. Readily available lessons from the past point to how Trumpism can be defeated in the present.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Leadership

ISSN

1742-7150

Publisher

SAGE

Issue

1

Volume

20

Page range

9-32

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications
  • Management Publications

Institution

University of Sussex

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes