At my dad’s urging, last month I started reading Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here, an eerily relevant book given the inauguration of Donald Trump. For those unfamiliar, it tells the fictional story of a resolute journalist, Doremus Jessup, who witnesses the transformation of the United States into an autocracy, along the lines of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Published in 1935, the work has certainly stood the test of time.
Political labels have, for decades, been used as identifiers for particular groups or their supposed ideals – be it fascism, communism, or nationalism. In the past, fascism has been bandied about as a label for some political figures, yet the real fear is that we have become blind to what fascism could truly mean.
Decades have passed since the 1940s, and although we have been reminded of the atrocities of fascism’s worst excesses by the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust, its memory is undoubtedly fading. Despite being taught in the national curriculum, a recent survey found that a third of young adults in the UK were unable to name Auschwitz or any other Nazi concentration camp. As a student of history, I feel especially responsible for reflecting on the past and warning others about humanity’s darkest moments.
Worryingly, along with the generally accepted rise of the far-right in Europe, Channel 4’s report on “Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust,” polled that 47 per cent of Gen Z thought British society should be changed through revolution, rather than conventional democrat means.
While I am apprehensive about taking this at face value, I think there is a point to be made that a better historical education, particularly about the danger of autocratic government, is vital. Undoubtedly, studying at the University of Edinburgh has provided me with ample conversation partners for such pressing issues. Yet when I return home, I only come back feeling more concerned about the circulation of questionable opinions.
Strongman politics are back in “fashion” and this will likely trouble the Labour Government when the next general election rolls in. It should also trouble those with a moderate political disposition, that the liberal international order has never been more under threat.
How concerned should we be then? Well vigilant to say the least. Name-calling has never been effective, though the far-right utilises it often, and in turn, we need to address the wide-scale issues that have fuelled virulent hate of the “other.” Dialogue with those you disagree with has never been more essential.
Robert O. Paxton in his notable work, The Anatomy of Fascism, makes a resounding statement: “Fascism does not require a spectacular march on some capital to take root.” It slips in gradually and might manifest in a very different way from, say, 1930s Germany. Where populists swap out uniforms for social media platforms, disinformation will only make us more oblivious and sway the opinions of others. Today, it’s of utmost importance to be actively aware of what might come knocking at our door.
“The Federal Theater Div. of W.P.A. presents ‘It can’t happen here’ (by) Sinclair Lewis LCCN98510365” by Fæ is licensed under CC BY 2.0.