Retirees For Democracy: About Fascism

Retirees For Democracy: About Fascism

What is Fascism? How Does it Compare to Democracy?
Do We Have Fascism in America?
Twenty Ways to Defend Democracy and Defeat Fascism

What is Fascism? How Does it Compare to Democracy?

Here is a chart that compares three different forms of government: democracy, authoritarianism, and fascism.

Feature	Democracy	Autocracy/Authoritarianism	Fascism
Power	Held by the people, directly or through elected representatives	Concentrated in a single ruler or small group	Centralized in a dictator or ruling party
Authority	Limited by laws, constitutions, and checks and balances	Unchecked, often absolute	Extreme nationalism and militarism, with suppression of opposition
Free Speech	Very free	Limited free speech, Some propaganda and censorship	No free speech, A lot of propaganda and censorship
Political Freedoms	Fair elections. Political opposition allowed	Political opposition is limited or banned	Persecution of dissenters
Example	Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, America prior to 2025	North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Iran	Nazi Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, (early) Franco’s Spain

Do We Have Fascism in America?

In a democracy, people enjoy the highest level of freedom—freedom of speech, thought, association, and dissent. In an autocracy (authoritarianism,) those freedoms are sharply reduced. Under fascism, they are all but extinguished. Citizens are taught to fear their own voices, imprisoned (and worse) for challenging authority, and urged to spy on their neighbors.

On May 8, 2025, political scientists Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Daniel Ziblatt published a chilling essay in The New York Times, warning that the United States has already become a “competitive autocracy”—a regime where elections still occur, but the ruling party so relentlessly manipulates the system that true competition no longer exists. “Parties compete in elections,” they wrote, “but the systematic abuse of an incumbent’s power tilts the playing field against the opposition.”

Put bluntly: America is no longer a democracy. And with each passing week, as Donald Trump escalates his assault on civil liberties, silences dissent, and undermines the very institutions meant to check his power, we are sliding from competitive autocracy into the depths of fascism.

Below is a chronological list of steps a leader must take to dismantle a democracy and install an autocratic or fascist regime. For each step, I’ve included links showing what Trump has already achieved as of March 17, 2025 (just two months into his second term), and what remains for him to complete in order to fully transform the American system of government into a fascist regime, controlled by Trump.

Chronologic Steps to Convert a Democracy to an Autocracy:

1. Gain Legitimate Power – DONE by Trump

Achieve office through legitimate elections or appointments within the existing democratic framework.

2. Erode Democratic Norms – DONE by Trump

Attack and ignore democratic norms, questioning electoral integrity, and delegitimizing political opponents.
Spread distrust in independent institutions.

3. Consolidate Executive Authority – DONE by Trump

Centralize power by weakening or dismantling legislative checks and balances.
Grant extraordinary powers to the executive branch, often under the pretense of a national emergency or crisis.
Rewrite governing rules to strengthen the executive and weaken legislative powers.
Control policy and statements issued by central banks; law enforcement and courts; official statistics; financial accounting and regulation; election administration; intelligence and national security

4. Neutralize Independent Judiciary – In Process

5. Media Suppression and Propaganda – In Process

Systematically erode trust in independent media, labeling critical coverage as “fake news.”
Eliminate legitimate news outlets and broadcasters
Intimidate, censor, or threaten independent journalists and media outlets through legal and extralegal actions, baseless liable lawsuits, and intimidation of media owners
Promote state-aligned media outlets like Fox News
Use propaganda to rewrite history, foster nationalist ideology, and discredit opposition or independent voices.
Co-opt the educational systems and public institutions to disseminate propaganda, minimize intellectual dissent, thus ensuring long-term ideological control.

6. Control Civil Society – DONE by Trump

Restrict or outlaw independent NGOs, advocacy groups, unions, and community organizations.
Arrest, threaten, or exile influential activists and opposition figures.
Demonize one’s political opponents and minority groups
Threaten wealthy industries and individuals who fail to provide financial and political support
Make vague threats of violence to those who attempt to thwart the authoritarian.
Pardon criminals who committed crimes in support of the authoritarian.
Utilize “mob rule” to achieve one’s end (Jan 6).
Control educational curriculum and admission to higher education

7. Manipulate Elections – DONE by Trump

Alter election rules to favor the incumbent regime.
Suppress voter turnout among opposition groups through intimidation, voter suppression tactics, gerrymandering, or outright electoral fraud.
Repeatedly claim a lost election proves the existence of electoral fraud.
Criticize poll workers who adhere to the law.

8. Create and Exploit Scapegoats – DONE by Trump

9. Establish Security and Surveillance Apparatus – In Process

10. Militarize and Cultivate Loyalty within Security Forces – In Process

11. Institutionalize Propaganda and Indoctrination – In Process

12. Cult of Personality – DONE by Trump

13. Enforce Full Authoritarian Control – Not Yet Done

Eliminate political opposition through imprisonment, exile, assassination, or forced disappearance.
Permanently establish authoritarian structures, solidifying regime’s absolute authority and suppressing any remnants of democratic institutions.

Twenty Ways to Defend Democracy and Defeat Fascism

Authoritarianism thrives when citizens stay passive. These twenty steps offer a practical roadmap to resist fascism and preserve democratic freedoms. They are adapted from the work of Timothy Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Gene Sharp

Democracy doesn’t protect itself. We must be the guardians of its future. — Ruth Ben-Ghiat

To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power. — Timothy Snyder

The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the obedience of the oppressed. — Gene Sharp

🧠 Think Clearly, Act Courageously

1. Don’t Obey in Advance

Authoritarians rely on voluntary compliance. Resist internalizing expected behavior. Ask: Am I doing this because it’s right—or because it’s demanded? Speak up when others remain silent.

2. Spot the Red Flags

Learn to identify democratic backsliding. Signs include attacks on the press, courts, elections, and truth itself. Read How Democracies Die to understand how it unfolds.

3. Defend Truth

Use tools like DebunkBot to counter conspiracy theories. Share accurate sources like ProPublica, AP Fact Check, and Snopes. Subscribe to and donate to credible journalism outlets.

4. Resist Fear-Based Manipulation

Crises are used to justify authoritarian overreach. Stay grounded. Avoid doomscrolling. Build community resilience through mutual support groups.

5. Be a Patriotic Citizen, Not a Loyal Subject

True patriotism means defending democratic values—not pledging allegiance to a leader. Celebrate civic holidays by registering voters or attending civic events that honor democracy.

🏛️ Strengthen Institutions

6. Protect Checks and Balances

When institutional norms are threatened, contact elected officials through Common Cause Action Tools. Support lawsuits from groups like the ACLU and Protect Democracy.

7. Support Civil Society

Donate to or volunteer with libraries, schools, unions, civic groups, and pro-democracy organizations like League of Women Voters and Indivisible.

8. Hold Public Officials Accountable

Attend town halls and demand transparency. Use watchdog tools like GovTrack.us to monitor votes and OpenSecrets.org to track campaign financing.

🗳️ Safeguard Elections

9. Vote in Every Election

Set reminders and share deadlines via Vote.org. Encourage friends and family to vote—even in local elections.

10. Help Others Vote

Become a poll worker via Power the Polls. Support registration efforts through When We All Vote or League of Women Voters. Report suppression through 866-OUR-VOTE.

⚖️ Practice Active Citizenship

11. Speak Up Early

Silence enables normalization. Write letters to the editor. Use your social media platforms to counter disinformation with facts. Host conversations in your community.

12. Protest Peacefully, Often

Know your rights with the ACLU Protest Guide. Join actions led by pro-democracy coalitions. Invite others to march with you.

13. Attend Town Halls and Local Meetings

Democracy is strongest at the local level. Show up. Ask questions. Get on email lists for school boards, city councils, and civic commissions.

🤝 Build Alliances

14. Reach Across Divides

Participate in cross-partisan dialogue with Braver Angels or Living Room Conversations. Find common ground and reduce polarization.

15. Support Global Pro-Democracy Movements

Follow organizations like Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders. Learn from the democratic struggles of people in Ukraine, Brazil, and Hungary. Authoritarianism is global—resistance should be too.

⚡ Resist Illegitimate Power

16. Refuse Illegal Orders

If you serve in government, the military, or law enforcement, your oath is to the Constitution. Familiarize yourself with 5 U.S. Code § 3331. Report abuse through legal or whistleblower channels.

17. Withdraw Cooperation

Disengage from oppressive systems. Participate in boycotts, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience. Review Gene Sharp’s 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action (PDF) for ideas.

18. Remove Symbols of Hate

Challenge fascist symbols and rhetoric in public spaces and online. Replace them with messages that affirm equality, democracy, and inclusion.

📦 Be Ready

19. Secure Privacy and Documents

Use encrypted tools like Signal. Prepare go-bags. Store digital backups of vital IDs, legal documents, and medical information. Discuss emergency plans with trusted contacts. Ensure you have a valid passport – in case you need to leave in a hurry.

20. Act Now, Not Later

Join a democracy group. Host a discussion. Share this guide. Small actions compound over time. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to resist. Courage is contagious—be the spark.

Timothy Snyder‘s Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century to defeat fascism:

Gene Sharp‘s 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action to defeat fascism:

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