[UNLOCKED] How Fascism Works (a Michael Parenti Reading)

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Jan 24, 2026

A dramatic reading of Michael Parenti’s opening chapter explores how plutocracy and autocracy have historically aligned. The discussion traces elite funding of Mussolini and Hitler, corporate gains from repression, and privatization schemes. It also touches on patriarchy, racial scapegoating, the theatrical allure of pseudo-revolution, and links to modern neofascist trends.

01:33:31

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ANECDOTE

Mussolini Posters In Little Italy

Raymond recounts seeing Mussolini posters and a clerk saying, "maybe we need someone like Mussolini."
The anecdote illustrates how fascism persists beyond historical texts into popular culture.

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INSIGHT

Plutocrats Back Autocrats To Crush Unions

Parenti shows Mussolini shifted from socialism to fascism after elite funding.
Raymond uses this to highlight how plutocrats choose autocrats to crush worker power.

insights

INSIGHT

Business Funding Of Paramilitary Repression

Business financed Nazi and fascist paramilitaries to terrorize workers and expand markets.
Raymond emphasizes fascism's program served corporate profit, not popular welfare.

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Fascism Persists Beyond Historical Curiosity

02:47 • 4min

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Sanitizing Fascist History and Class Blindness

06:45 • 60sec

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Plutocrats Choose Autocrats: Mussolini's Rise

07:45 • 5min

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Economic Crisis, Labor Power, and the March on Rome

12:50 • 4min

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Germany: Business Backing the Nazis

16:54 • 5min

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Who Benefited: Repression, Wage Cuts, and Subsidies

21:31 • 6min

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Hitler's Consolidation and Anti-Democratic Rule

27:26 • 4min

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Fascism's Economic Policies Favored Capital

31:38 • 5min

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Privatization, Tax Cuts, and Plundering Public Capital

36:25 • 4min

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Personal Enrichment of Fascist Leaders

40:51 • 2min

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U.S. Business Admiration and Media Praise

43:09 • 4min

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Rational Use of Irrational Ideology

46:41 • 3min

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Monism, Volk Mysticism, and Masking Class Interests

49:44 • 3min

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Patriarchy, Racism, and Pseudo-Revolution

52:53 • 6min

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Fascism's Revolutionary Aura, Not Its Content

59:11 • 5min

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Western Cooperation and Postwar Protection of Fascists

01:04:32 • 4min

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State Security, Strategy of Tension, and Neo-Fascist Terror

01:08:17 • 5min

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Modern Neo-Fascism: Media, Tax Cuts, and Privatization

In *Inventing Reality*, Michael Parenti examines the ways in which the media influences and manipulates public perception of reality. He argues that the media serves the interests of the rich and powerful by distorting or suppressing information, thereby maintaining the status quo of capitalist systems. The book critiques major media outlets for their role in shaping public opinion and discusses the systemic factors that lead to biased reporting.

#10330

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Blood in my eye

George L. Jackson

George Jackson's 'Blood in My Eye' is a powerful and unflinching account of his experiences in the California prison system. Written while incarcerated, the book offers a searing critique of the prison-industrial complex and the systemic racism that permeates the U.S. justice system. Jackson details the brutal realities of prison life, including violence, oppression, and the dehumanization of prisoners. He also articulates a radical political vision, advocating for revolutionary change and the dismantling of oppressive systems. The book remains a crucial text for understanding the ongoing struggle for racial justice and prison reform.

#18774

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Black Shirts and Reds, Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism

Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism

Michael Parenti

Michael Parenti's "Black Shirts and Reds" provides a critical analysis of fascism, examining its historical context and its relationship to capitalism. Parenti argues that fascism is not simply an aberration but rather a logical outcome of capitalism in crisis. The book explores the collaboration between fascists and capitalists, highlighting how economic interests often drive the rise of authoritarian regimes. Parenti's work challenges conventional understandings of fascism, offering a nuanced perspective that considers the economic and political forces at play. He emphasizes the importance of understanding fascism's economic roots to effectively combat its resurgence. The book remains relevant today as it offers insights into the rise of contemporary right-wing populism.

This is an unlocked version of the Patreon episode "How Fascism Works." RIP Michael Parenti, (September 30, 1933 – January 24, 2026)

In this episode of our reading series, Robbie reads and provides real-time analysis of the opening chapter of the classic book Blackshirts & Reds: Rational Fascism & the Overthrow of Communism by Michael Parenti. The text covers the topics of plutocracy and autocracy, whom the fascists last century supported, a bit of history on Hitler and Mussolini, the rational and irrational aspects of fascism, patriarchy and pseudo-revolution, collaboration, and much more.

The analysis provided in the reading brings this text into our current conditions and looks at where Parenti's analysis holds up and where it might need to be stretched and adapted to help us understand the rise of neofascism in the United States under Trump and his modern day fascist footsoldiers. We explain why it's more important than ever to resist collaboration and to stand in full solidarity with all of the racialized and criminalized "others" in order to combat the fearmongering and scapegoating that fascism relies on in order to grow in strength.

Further resources:

Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism, by Michael Parenti

Related episodes:

From the Frontlines: State Repression and Anti-Imperialist Organizing w/ Calla Walsh
Capitalism, The State, and How We Got Here with Christian Parenti

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