Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

A form of government or leadership, authoritarianism is characterized by a strong central authority and limited political freedoms. In an authoritarian system, power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader, a small group of individuals, or a ruling party, often without meaningful checks and balances or democratic processes. The governing authority typically makes decisions without significant input or participation from the general population. Key features of authoritarianism include the suppression of political opposition, restrictions on civil liberties, limited freedom of expression, and a lack of independent judiciary. The leader or ruling party in an authoritarian system often maintains control through coercion, censorship, surveillance, and sometimes by using military or security forces to quash dissent. Authoritarian regimes can exist in various political, social, and cultural contexts, and they may arise for different reasons, including concerns about stability, a desire for centralized control, or the concentration of power in response to perceived threats. In Prequel, pro-Nazi Americans like Philip Johnson and Lawrence Dennis yearned for an authoritarian dictator to take over the US government. Louisiana politician Huey Long was an American example of an authoritarian-style leader.

A sociopolitical and economic ideology, communism advocates for a classless and stateless society in which the means of production are collectively owned and controlled. At its core, communism envisions a society without private ownership of property and in which wealth and resources are distributed according to ability and need. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels articulated the theoretical foundations of communism in the 19th century, primarily in their seminal work The Communist Manifesto and later expanded upon this in Das Kapital. Marx envisioned communism as the end goal of historical development, following the transitional stage of socialism, in which the working class (or proletariat) would seize control of the means of production and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat. Over time, as social and economic inequalities were eradicated, the need for a centralized state would wither away, leading to a truly communist society.

In practice, the aspect of control has prevented the full actualization of Marx’s vision. Various countries have attempted to implement communist ideals, most notably the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and others. However, the application of communism inevitably deviates from its theoretical foundations, leading to different interpretations and implementations. In Prequel, Maddow describes the communist movement in the US as not having much strength relative to its reputation; many US citizens were skeptical or even fearful of communism. However, communists in the US did not exercise much political power, and when they did, they used it to agitate for workers’ rights and the rights of the marginalized.

Democracy is a political system in which power resides with the people, who either participate directly in decision-making or elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. A democratic system emphasizes individual rights, the rule of law, political pluralism, and periodic elections to ensure accountability and a peaceful transfer of power. In a democratic society, citizens have the right to express their opinions and influence decisions that impact the community or nation. In Prequel, Maddow notes that Nazi propaganda aimed to destroy Americans’ faith in democracy, disuniting and destabilizing the US to make it more susceptible to a revolution and eventual authoritarian rule.

In contrast to democracy, fascism is a political ideology and system characterized by authoritarian and nationalistic tendencies, extreme centralized power, dictatorial leadership, suppression of dissent, and often, the promotion of aggressive nationalism and racism. It typically opposes liberal democratic laws and individual freedoms, instead embracing a strong state-led control over society and the economy. Historically, fascist regimes have arisen because of charismatic leaders who use propaganda and force to maintain control. Notable examples include Mussolini’s regime in Italy and Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany during the 20th century. The term “fascism” frequently describes authoritarian and ultranationalist movements or governments. As Maddow notes in Prequel, US supporters of the Nazi party were pro-fascist and believed that fascism was a superior form of government to democracy.

Isolationism is a foreign policy approach in which a country seeks to minimize its involvement in international affairs and avoid entanglement in the political and military conflicts of other nations. A nation adopting isolationism typically focuses on its own domestic concerns and aims to limit political and economic interactions with the outside world. This approach may involve avoiding alliances, refraining from participation in international conflicts, and prioritizing national sovereignty and independence. Isolationist policies are often driven by a desire to maintain autonomy, avoid the costs and risks of foreign entanglements, and concentrate on domestic priorities. Historically, the term is associated with periods when countries, such as the US during parts of the 19th and early 20th centuries, chose to pursue a more independent and reserved stance in global affairs. Prequel shows that leading up to and during World War II, Nazi propaganda and pro-Nazi US citizens often used isolationism as way to advance the antisemitic, fascist aims of the Nazi party.