US Fascism Expert Warns Australia: ‘You Guys Are Probably Next’
SYDNEY – A leading American scholar of fascism is delivering a stark warning to Australia, asserting the nation is increasingly vulnerable to the ideologies and political forces gaining traction in the United States and globally. Philosopher Jason Stanley, author of How fascism Works, contends that the erosion of democratic norms and the rise of far-right movements present a clear and present danger to Australia’s political stability.
Stanley’s assessment comes as concerns mount over the potential for a second Trump administration and the escalating influence of extremist ideologies worldwide. He argues that democracy is not a self-sustaining system and requires constant vigilance against authoritarian tendencies,a lesson Australia may soon be forced to confront. The warning underscores a growing anxiety among international observers about the potential for democratic backsliding in established democracies, especially considering shifting geopolitical alliances and the spread of disinformation.
The expert points to a demonstrable pattern of contempt for allies exhibited during a potential second Trump administration, signaling a departure from customary international partnerships.Australia’s long-held reliance on the United States as a “great and powerful friend” is now viewed with skepticism, with stanley suggesting this alliance may offer diminishing returns in a rapidly changing world.
“Undoing fascism is very, very hard,” Stanley cautioned, emphasizing the fragility of democratic institutions. He highlighted a concerning trend: the increasing dominance of non-democratic nations – including India, Russia, China, and potentially the United States – reshaping the global political landscape. “We shouldn’t be surprised if, very soon, there are no more democracies, or very few,” he stated. “democracy wasn’t a thing for a long time…we’re now in a situation where…what will remain?”
Stanley will be discussing these concerns further at the Sydney Opera house as part of the Curious series on September 28th, and in Melbourne at The Wheeler Center on October 2nd.
