Fascism: A Warning

Just as I expected it would be, this is a very clear, insightful book on the history of fascism, starting shortly after the turn of the 20th century and leading up to the present troubling moment both internationally and at home. Madeleine Albright is an extremely intelligent woman, and having just read James Comey's latest book, this seemed like a natural choice. (In case anyone's interested, my next read will be "Facts and Fears" by James Clapper. I used to read fiction almost exclusively, but times have changed and I feel an urgent need to be informed, and frankly, to be a witness to the thoughts and observations of those in a position to see and understand the current threat to our democracy.) I loved this book. She presents a very systematic examination of fascism and the methods by which totalitarian figures come to power, stay in power, and feed off each other. She weaves in a bit of her own history, such as fleeing Hitler and the Nazis as a child, and somehow manages to cover even tragic and disturbing realities with calm and steady assessment. The book isn't showy. It is forthright and to the point. More than that, it is an important book. The obvious underlying focus of the book is the influence of Trump, along with Putin, on the norms of democracy, including freedom of the press and the judicial system. No matter where your political leanings lie, if you care about our country, and about the rise of fascism worldwide, you should read this book. As added bonus, I think you will find that the prose flows nicely and the bounty of information provided never feels overwhelming.

Madeleine Albright’s newest book, “Fascism: A Warning”, is a provocative book of profound meaning for increasingly dire times. As a former US Secretary of State, she has a lifetime of experience working at the heart of diplomacy worldwide. Her perspective has afforded her deep reflection about democracy, authoritarianism, as fascism, the latter which she sees deeply on the rise. She looks at what characterizes “fascism” — not an easy term to define because it is overused and often is incorrectly used. Other books on the topic (of fascism) note the struggle to define it as well. This specificity is not just a fascism problem though in trying to describe it. For example, many country’s claim democracy but are far from “democratic” in sense of political science meaning of the word. She defines “a Fascist as someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence and whatever other means are necessary to achieve the goals he or she might have.” It’s not “populism” or simply “authoritarianism”. It’s not being of the political right or left. Historical examples are Hitler and Mussolini of the World War 2 era. Yet as Albright notes with alarm, after a surge in democracy in previous decades, today many fewer countries are democracies (only 30) in the world when it used to be over 100. With a multitude of countries spiraling ever closer to authoritarianism and some of those gravitating toward Fascism, she examines the appeal that Fascism plays for a number of world leaders in Poland, Venezuela, Russia, Uganda, and yes, startlingly from the US. She cites numerous examples of fascist leaders who are intolerant of criticism and see that only they are capable of solving their countries’ problems offer while suppressing those they see as the opposition. While Albright does reflect on the US in this book, she sees this struggle as a worldwide problem. As a young child, her family was forced to flee from her homeland (Czechoslovakia) when the Nazis took over (her father was a Czech diplomat), then after the war they were forced to flee again when the Soviets took control of her country. This is how she ended up in the United States. She has a deep abiding love of democracy and as one of the most well-travelled people on our planet, she has seen all types of governments and leaders up-close and personal, which is what gives this book increases gravity. This book is deeply provocative, and calls for people to be wary of being complacent against the forces of fascism. She has clearly thought about this topic deeply, and she presents her ideas with clarity. Unlike what some of this book’s reviewers say, this book isn’t just about the US, and to claim that as a weakness of this book misses the key point Albright makes in asserting this political rise is happening around the world. Anyone who values a global perspective, should find this book of worthy of deep contemplation. I have long been an admirer of Madeleine Albright, and this book has helped me now see her as an even more formidable thought leader of our time.

This is a timely book by a brilliant person who had a front row seat to the tragedy that was Europe in the Mid-20th Century. There is little doubt that the world is starting to look fearfully like it did at the beginning of those dark hours, starting with the tyranny of Hitler and Mussolini and culminating in the Cold War and the gulags of the Soviet Union. Figuratively speaking, this is really three books. The first will be the most divisive and may, in fact, quite unfortunately, relegate the book to practical irrelevance. The second book is extremely insightful and informative. And the third book, honestly, is pure gold and vintage Madeline Albright. The first book begins with a contradiction. Albright openly acknowledges that Fascism has become a meaningless epithet, hurled, as it is, by opposing politicians of every stripe and at parents merely attempting to limit the cell phone usage of their children. She goes on to defend the titular use of the term, however, by clarifying her use of the term: “To my mind, a Fascist is someone who identifies strongly with and claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use whatever means are necessary—including violence—to achieve his or her goals.” At that point, however, she hasn’t really narrowed the list of politicians who qualify for the pejorative label at all. Every reader will conclude that his or her political enemies fit the bill. She seals the fate of this portion of the book, however, when she asks, on page 4 of the book, “…why, this far into the twenty-first century, are we once again talking about Fascism?” And answers, “One reason, frankly, is Donald Trump. If we think of Fascism as a wound from the past that had almost healed, putting Trump in the White House was like ripping off the bandage and picking at the scab.” And she goes on to make thinly veiled comparisons between Trump, Mussolini, and Joseph McCarthy. And, unfortunately, I fear, she, in one fell swoop of prose, both fuels the fires of division while exiling the book to practical irrelevance. In the end, she will likely only energize both political extremes, and, I suspect, the reader ratings of this book will ultimately reflect that. That is most unfortunate because without those opening pages this would be a truly terrific book. It chronicles both relevant history and the recent past to a degree that few other people on the planet could. The second part of the book is devoted to an analysis of recent political events in Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Venezuela, the Philippines, Russia, North Korea, and, of course, the United States. All, to varying degrees, she maintains, are showing signs of a slide toward Fascism and the decline of post-war liberal democracy. It is an informative analysis and unless you are a political junkie, you will learn a lot. In the third part of the book she truly hits her stride. She notes, for starters, that the Fascist epithet may be appropriate for the US today for reasons having more to do with economics than populism. The Fascist Party of Italy, which gave rise to general use of the term, was the ultimate merger of the corporate and political states. And that is, in fact, what has happened here in the US. The incorporation of America has been going on since the conservative movement of the 1980s, however, and while Trump is carrying the corporate water at the moment, he can hardly be blamed for allowing Wall Street and Silicon Valley to take control of Washington. The incorporation accelerated greatly during the dot-com 90s when young entrepreneurs were preaching disruption and libertarianism. It is ironic, indeed, that tech’s “democratic” perspective has now produced among the biggest and most powerful corporations the world has ever known. And they pulled it off, actually, while the anti-trust regulators in both Republican and Democratic administrations stood by and watched. To me what we have today is not so much analogous to the Fascist or Nazi parties of the mid-20th Century as it is the power of the church in Medieval Europe. The kings and queens of Washington may wear the crowns, but it is the corporate “popes” of Wall Street and Silicon Valley that are really calling the shots. Which is why both parties, I think, should be fearful of whatever happens in the mid-term elections. Be careful what you wish for. Neither party has defined an agenda that addresses the issues that originally brought Trump to power. And until that happens I believe Albright’s Fascist warning will remain valid. In the final chapters of the book Albright notes that putting American interests first invites Russia, China, and others to do the same. And it is here that she lowers her partisan guard (we all have one) and calls for unity through the recognition of our common humanity and the rejection of extremism that favors one group over another. It is here that she also seems to soften her position on ideals of post-war democratic liberalism and focuses more on compassion, integrity, and fairness. I think of it as defining a new standard of shared obligation and responsibility that includes those countries and those people that aren’t rushing to implement an Electoral College and to copy our form of bare-knuckle individualism, but those are my words, not hers. In the end she notes that spend her time on issues like: “…purging excess money from politics, improving civic education, defending journalistic independence, adjusting to the changing nature of the workplace, enhancing inter-religious dialogue, and putting a saddle on the bucking bronco we call the Internet.” It’s a perfect ending to what is a very good book by an inspiring individual. I do recommend reading it.

I just finished reading this while on vacation--warning: this is not a beach read--and have already passed it along to another reader. I don't do that unless I find a book to have true merit. I don't do that unless I find a book to be extremely well-written. Having not read any other books by Ms. Albright, I was very happy to find that her writing was wonderful. Not all writers of politics are great or interesting writers, to say the least. It was engaging and organized, informed and well-researched. It also shows the practiced art of an experienced teacher, a gigantic Plus for this sort of expository writing. Further, I found her examination of Fascism and the lead-ups to it wonderfully educational and interesting. Even if one is conversant with history, one cannot have read every single primary source or scholarly work, so there is always, always something to be learned. I learned a lot, and I love history and politics. I see that one reviewer here has decided that this book has an unacceptable political 'slant.' I disagree about slant, but can certainly see how present conditions, as they parallel much of the past, could be mistaken as such. Especially given Albright's own political past. Her descriptions of fascism in history--living history, I might add; fully fact-checkable--were very well done indeed. It's a great pity they are not used in history classes in high school, as they are anything but dull or boring. I encourage everyone to read this book. If nothing else, you will come away with an appreciation of some of the complex forces, social, political and personal, that have shaped the modern world...and the forces that may shape it in the future. So, read it. But no, it's not a mindless beach read, unless you are a history & politics nut like I am.

Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, wrote her book “Fascism: A Warning” a few years after President Donald Trump’s election. In it, she provides insight into the nature of authoritarianism, highlighting such twentieth century examples as Mussolini, Hitler, Putin, Chavez, Erdogan, and Orban. She even includes Stalin in her string of examples; though he fought fascism, he was no different from such obvious adherents as Hitler and Mussolini. Albright takes the reader on a journey into her childhood in war-ravaged Europe, and how she survived those turbulent years, dropping hints that the same waves of authoritarianism that gripped her native Czechoslovakia has the potential for rearing its ugly head in the U.S. She explains how and why the erosion of democratic ideals and institutions can appeal to certain people, particularly those who view their lives as having been marginalized by immigrants, the media, people of other races, and so-called liberal elites. The author provides us with a detailed history of fascist regimes, comparing, for instance, Naziism with Mussolini’s brand of fascism, or the “corporate state.” Both hinged on groups of people becoming subordinate to one leader. Albright, however, cautions us against using the term “fascism” haphazardly, preferring to reserve the term to refer to people who are nativist, authoritarian and overtly in favor of fascist principles. This book is obviously a veiled warning about what has been occurring in other countries – and in the United States. Complacency could be our greatest enemy. When we think that fascism can’t germinate in the U.S., when our guard is down, that is perhaps when the forces of authoritarianism can slither into our country and wreak havoc. It even has a chapter on Donald Trump, for America under Trump is arguably a petri dish for fascism. This book stands as a great argument for how and why fascism could find its way into our mainstream. It always begins with an attack on the press and the intelligentsia, in this case experts. Trump has vilified scientific, educational and military experts in lieu of lies. And as we should know – Hitler and Trump would attest to this – fascism rests on a bedrock of lies and half-truths. That’s the only way it could survive – by keeping those under its control trapped in a bubble of misinformation, insulating them from the outside world. Albright has indeed authored a book clearly demonstrating our need to stand up for our democratic values in the face of this oncoming threat.

I think this book is more of a history lesson than a warning. We are all of course familiar with Hitler and Mussolini as the "faces" of fascism, but Secretary Albright, in concise and well-written chapters, does a great job in educating us about the rise of fascism in Italy after World War I and some of the lesser-known tyrants who might impersonate fascism of sorts, both in today's world and yesteryear. That is part of Ms. Albright's point....that the circumstances under which fascism could flourish didn't die with Hitler and Mussolini...it is usually a human character (or lack of) issue. Things get bad enough and a conniving person with knowledge of mass media and how to appeal to the worst angels of our nature can exploit dissatisfaction to get elected to lead and then connive to stay in power, even if it means going back on and reneging on promises. By her own admission, fascism per se is hard to define and she stops short of calling many of her subjects fascists. She certainly doesn't use that term for President Trump as so many people like to do without being able to define what makes him a fascist. Ms. Albright does warn against tribalism and intolerance and dismissal of press/media as powerful signs that we're heading the wrong way. The book is extremely well-written and not very long. I read it in about three days. Some will be turned off by the critique of President Trump's style, which is too bad because Ms. Albright has quite a resume that puts her in a good position to be more objective than most people writing on the subject. She is clearly no fan of President Trump's style of leadership and communication, but she is no hack.

good book

Madeleine Albright is a former UN Ambassador and Secretary of State, with a long and honorable career serving the United States. Her personal history is compelling: born in Czechoslovakia shortly before World War II, she and her parents fled first Hitler and then, during the beginning of the Cold War, from Stalin. She did not learn until she was an adult that several family members, including grandparents, died in the Holocaust. This tragic history, combined with her astute intelligence and common sense, sharpens her pen and her powers of observation. Fascism: A Warning is her sixth book and is perhaps her most important work to date, as the world seems to face what many fear could be a long period of darkness. Albright is careful to warn against the indiscriminate use of the term "fascism," and she very properly begins this book with a discussion of its proper usage and meaning. Beginning with the origins of the term in the early twentieth century, she traces the development of Fascist regimes and leaders who promote Fascism, from Mussolini and Hitler through Stalin (who raged against Fascism while practicing it to an advanced degree) through to the present. Erdogan, Orban, Milosevic, the Kim dynasty, and Putin are some of the many practicing Fascists Albright covers. Donald Trump has a chapter devoted specifically to him, but Albright is not writing a partisan screed by any means, merely analyzing the man's behavior and actions and demonstrating their disturbing similarities to leaders who clearly practice Fascism. Perhaps the most important chapters are the final two, in which Albright enumerates the danger signs for the United States and the world and provides a series of questions to ask and steps to take for concerned citizens. This is a book written for the general reader which does not abandon scholarly rigor. It is extensively documented with a Notes section that will be an excellent resource for those of us who wish to learn and study more. In 2018 the way forward for the United States and the world is uncertain, but we are still fortunate (so far) to have strong and confident voices like Albright's to guide us.

冷戦や第二次世界大戦の頃から国際政治にキャリアを賭けた人々に共通する、世界観の復習として非常に興味深かったです。 御年八十ということで、現代の価値観、特に非民主的、人種差別的、反現実的な行動と、過去の世界の理想の矛盾を非難する態度にも納得がいくと思います。

Nothing better than reading about fascism from the person who despises it the most, i.e. the former US Secretary of State. Being a Czech herself, the authors initial life experiences play a vital role in shaping the book. Fascism in Europe forms the core and the authoritarian regimes of Hitler's & Mussolini's to the less spoken ones of General Franco's are focused here. But the vociferous part of criticism is reserved for Mr. Trump! No doubt Trump is one among the top lunatics ever to grace the highest offices in any country, yet at times this book feels like a Democrat bashing a Republican behind a thin veil of ideological differences. Nonetheless the book covers excellent analytical chapters on what is going wrong around the world and why fascism might make a come back without anybody actually sounding like a fascist!

"IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT." This book is highly informed and concisely written in a lucid style by Clinton's former Secreatry Of State. I often read passages from this book to my wife concerning the rise of fascism in the 1920's and 1930's, and the similarities are both stark and undeniable, leading to many insightful discusions between us as we watch what passes for "news" today. FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED!

If you still have doubts about populism's toxicity after you've read this book, you're either totally stupid or you come from a different planet. This is a true warning from a very valid speaker.

I bought this having seen Madeleine Albright on Andrew Marr, I never realised she was a refugee in WW2 so she has immense credibility on the subject. It is a book for our time, superbly written, MA is very knoowledgable academic as well as a a no nonsense pragmatist . Gives an insight into world events from the perspective of someone who is a world leading negotiator with immense wisdom and maturity. Its made me reflect on our times and the dreadful manipulative behaviours of politicians at home and abroad. She helps explains the patterns of those behaviours and how we should be alert to them (may be to late for us in UK). I cannot stress how easy it was to read yet gives a strong message with credible knowledge and experience, the book is properly referenced and has a real sense of strong principles and tolerance. Highly recomended