Many Americans know fascism as an authoritarian ideology which blossomed in early 20th century Europe 鈥� first with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and later with Adolf Hitler and the rise of Nazi Germany. But historian argues that while Mussolini and Hitler were capturing the world鈥檚 attention, a type of fascist ideology was also taking hold in the United States, although the system looked different.
Roberto says monopoly-finance capitalism and the dominance of big business over personal liberties is America鈥檚 own mutation of fascism. He articulates this argument in the book 鈥淭he Coming of the American Behemoth: The Origins of Fascism in the United States, 1920鈥�1940鈥� (NYU Press/2018). Michael Joseph Roberto is a former professor of contemporary world history at , an activist and a former journalist.
He joins host Frank Stasio to review a history of the fascist ideology and describe how he sees fascism manifesting in America today.
Roberto will present his book at McIntyre鈥檚 Books in Pittsboro on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m., at in Asheville on Saturday, Feb. 9, and at in Chapel Hill on Monday, March 11.
