'Game over': Yale fascism expert moving to Canada because US is becoming a 'dictatorship'

[cbabe]

https://www.alternet.org/jason-stanley-canada-trump/

'Game over': Yale fascism expert moving to Canada because US is becoming a 'dictatorship'

Alex HendersonMarch 27, 2025

Quite often, Americans who threaten to leave the United States for political reasons don't follow through when they see how complex the immigration laws of other countries can be. But during Donald Trump's second presidency, some well-known Americans really are expressing their worries about the United States' current political climate by moving to other countries.

Liberal actress Rosie O'Donnell, an outspoken Trump critic, is now living in the Republic of Ireland. And Jason Stanley, a Yale University professor known for his expertise on fascism, is accepting a job offer in Canada — as he fears the U.S. is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Stanley, author of the 2018 book, "How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them," accepted a position at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. And he is speaking out about his reasons for leaving the U.S.

Stanley told the website The Daily Nous that he is moving to Canada "to raise my kids in a country that is not tilting towards a fascist dictatorship." And he believes that Columbia University in New York City and other colleges are making a huge mistake by capitulating to Trump rather than fighting back against his war on academia.

"When I saw Columbia completely capitulate," Stanley told the Daily Nous, "and I saw this vocabulary of: well, we're going to work behind the scenes because we're not going to get targeted — that whole way of thinking pre-supposes that some universities will get targeted, and you don't want to be one of those universities. And that's just a losing strategy. You've got to just band together and say an attack on one university is an attack on all universities. And maybe you lose that fight, but you’re certainly going to lose this one if you give up before you fight."

… more …

[GreatGazoo]

1. Simplistic and wrong

"Trump is not a fascist because, unlike fascism, ‘Trumpism’ does not constitute a coherent ideology. In fact, there is a sense in which Trump is not really an ideological politician at all...Hungarian historian and philosopher Gyorgy Lukacs pointed out in the epilogue to his book ‘The Destruction of Reason’, published in 1953, it is simply impossible for fascist ideology to serve as a dominant ideology in Europe or America in the post-World War II era." - Graham Hryce

https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/donald-trump-is-the-furthest-thing-from-the-fascist-his-enemies-brand-him/#google_vignette

Sticking my neck out a bit. I know how popular name-calling is but 10-years of claiming "Trump is Hitler" has not led to good results. It fundamentally misunderstands where we are. It is like being 8 runs behind in a baseball game and screaming "We need to score a touchdown!"

Trump is a wealthy heir and real estate developer and a media personality who will say anything, take any position and switch sides without any self-reflection. He has a Bachelors in Economics. He has no ideology beyond decadence and old fashioned kleptocracy. He is a salesman who knows how to listen and then speak back to Americans using the words and phrases they commonly use as a way influence and manipulate them.

The sooner we deal with who Trump really is and do what really works the better. Comfortable "experts" can get it all wrong and then run off to Canada but most us don't have that luxury. As Sun Tzu famously advised: Know Your Enemy.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Excellent points, but tRump's degree in Economics is dubious and the "running away" is a canard

Excellent points, but tRump's degree in Economics is a degree in eCONomics. He thinks tariff taxes are not a tax.

However, ...
People do what they can to take care of those they love and themselves. He may be a target in the cross-hairs of tRump and B{l}ondi because of his outspoken views and being an academic.

He is not "running away" and not because he "got it wrong". Consider it a strategic retreat. Technically he could be extradited but then he'd sit in a Canadian jail or house arrest while it is sorted out. Better than being thrown into an ICE-like "detention center". I'm sure you don't think he will stop speaking out or educating on the topic. And what do you mean he got it wrong? The quote is from another scholar from the 1950s and Hryce who quotes him is an Australian journalist.

Consider it a boycott.

Many people will stand and fight because they have no choice but to stand. Committed people do what they can.

[GreatGazoo]

13. A tariff is a tax but it is one that seeks changes in a foreign vs domestic dynamic

I cite the bachelors degree only to quantify and specify his interest and focus on money. He didn't have the patience or the discipline for MBA.

A boycott seeks a specified change in the behavior of the entity being boycotted, eg end discrimination, etc.

Forgive me but I am frustrated at the moment by influencers and politicians who claim they are fighting but seem more interested in doing their book tours or career moves while the rest of search for leadership to restore CFPB or any of a dozen other specific battles that are winnable. CFPB is an 80/20 issue that goes across party lines. It is the kind of victory we need but it won't be won be moving to Canada or signing books for $$ at Barnes & Noble.

[Ms. Toad]

11. The problem with that logic is that Trump is a useful tool

If you believe that he drafted all of the executive orders which track Project 2025 so precisely, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Trump, in and of himself, isn't the real danger. Yes he is creating chaos - renaming stuff, threatening and withholding tariffs. But that is about all that is truly Trump. The rest is driven by others who are much more competent and who are quickly and deliberately creating an authoritarian government.

[AntiFascist]

17. You are confusing Nazism with Fascism...

Google AI: "While both Nazism and fascism are right-wing, authoritarian ideologies, Nazism is a specific form of fascism characterized by its racial ideology, antisemitism, and the belief in a "master race," whereas fascism is a broader term encompassing various authoritarian regimes and ideologies focused on nationalism and state control."

Fascism actually originated in Italy and was popularized by Mussolini. If you read Mussolini's "The Doctrine of Fascism" you will see how there are strong parallels with the type of empire Trump and Project 2025 want to create. The focus on nationalism, state control, an "American" ethnic identity, and the priorities of the Nation over those of the rights of any individuals or groups within the Nation is notable.

Project 2025 (that has been in the works for decades) wants to trash The Bill of Rights and the First Amendment in favor of a form of Christian Nationalism. Members of Trump's own cabinet claim we are in "post-constitutional" era. Years ago we referred to this, on DU, as "Friendly Fascism, when it comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." It no longer seems to be so friendly.

[GusBob]

21. No voice/free exit

That’s what Trump wants

[AZProgressive]

22. This is the same real estate developer and media personality that attempted a self-coup

I think many people actually underestimate Trump which I have done many times. I expected things to be bad, if he actually leaves office in 2029 it won't be as bad as I think but even now he is still worse than I expected with this DOGE.

[Martin Eden]

31. Fascist is as fascist does

Of course Trump has no ideology other than his ingrained misogyny, racism, and feeding the bottomless pit of his greed, ego, and lust for power.

But his actions to consolidate dictatorial power are that of a fascist. Furthermore, he is enforcing an ideology which seeks to suppress and erase from history the long struggle of people other than straight white "Christian" males to gain equal rights and justice in this country.

Trump is not Hitler, but he directly channels the Nazi in his targeting of brown immigrants as "poisoning the blood of our country." His rise to power has been a cult of personality supported by neo-Nazis, white supremicists, "Christian" nationalists, wealthy business owners, and the politicians who serve them.

How narrowly defined must "fascism" be in applying the term to 21st century manifestations of authoritarianism? That latter term covers a lot of ground, lacking specificity.

Perhaps a new term can be created for the specific means and ideological dismantling of the American republic currently in process, but I doubt the new word would be readily understood or effective in raising the necessary public alarm to preserve our Constitional rule of law.

General Mark Milley warned us that Trump is "fascist to the core."

I'm gonna go with that.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

2. I don't approve of this.

Freedom isn't free. Running away when it's challenged is wrong. And it diminishes freedom itself to a consumer choice rather than something fundamental that must be defended at all costs.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Freedom does include running away to fight from afar or another day. Just like boycotting is a freedom

Emigrating is the ultimate boycott.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

6. Fair enough. But I don't see that in most of this.

I see extremely soft, extremely self-important people doing country-shopping.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. You generally only hear about the more prominent ones because they are prominent.

Many prominent people stay and you don't hear much about them and their resistance.

Softness is a factor but it is easy for internet posters to impugn somebody as a coward "running away" without knowing anything beyond a couple of surface facts.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

12. True. I often feel guilty about the things I don't do to help.

But these people have real influence, and what they choose to do with it is be pussies.

France's surrender in 1940 is their guidestar.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. Be kind to yourself. If you don't take care of yourself your ability becomes limited. Forgive yourself. . . . nt

[Celerity]

23. What is up with the misogynistic slur?

You said:

But these people have real influence, and what they choose to do with it is be pussies.

SMDH

Also, you have no right to judge and condemn anyone as to where they want to move to raise their children nor the right to judge and condemn where anyone wants to just live in general.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

24. I don't accept your premise.

You have basically just said it's wrong to stand up for anything ever, and in so doing have proved every point I'm making.

Please feel free to try accomplishing something by deconstructing every conceivable argument for doing so into a bunch of negatives.

[Celerity]

25. What is up with the misogynistic slur? ('pussies' used as a word for cowards) You did not respond to my initial enquiry.

And this:

You have basically just said it's wrong to stand up for anything ever, and in so doing have proved every point I'm making.

is a non sequitur. I said you have no right to judge and condemn other's actions as to where they choose to live.

I stated nothing in my reply that could lead anyone to think that I (in your own words) 'basically just said it's wrong to stand up for anything ever'. That is pure fabrication. I said nothing of the kind, nor implied it.

I certainly did not prove any of you points, let alone 'every point'.

Now back to your use of 'pussies' as a slur.....

[AmericaUnderSiege]

26. I'm not taking this bait.

Have a nice day.

[Celerity]

29. It's not bait. You used a misogynistic slur and now try to ignore that fact away. You using it is offensive to me as

a female.

Neither female reproductive organs or male ones play any role in whether someone 'stands up'.

To call someone a 'pussy' for doing something you frame as 'not standing up' IS misogynistic.

There is zero bait. You made the statement, and yet you think you can ignore it away when your misogynistic language is called to account.

[elocs]

7. It's his business as to whether to leave or not. I would if I could.

In 3 years it will be 400 years since my ancestors "ran away" from England to come to America.
In 1975 I had thought about emigrating to Australia but in the end didn't (because of a girl). I sure as hell now with I had done that but hindsight is 20/20.

The United States has been guilty of national pride in that we thought we were too good and special for us to lose our democracy, that only happens in other countries. Well, how are the mighty fallen and our Founding Fathers were not the infallible gods we thought them to be in providing protections for our democracy.
Sorry Ben, we couldn't keep it. Unfortunately, we became complacent and did not remain vigilant.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

8. It's your business what to do. But when you try to extract moral credit for it, that's us.

I do not assign moral credit to millionaires who flee a country because one political office has been subverted and they feel UNCOMFORTABLE.

[Mariana]

10. Most of my ancestors "ran away" from their countries of origin

to escape oppression of various kinds. I don't hold it against them.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

19. Those were (I assume) ordinary folk escaping dire conditions.

Not millionaires escaping discomfort and the obligation to do anything about a problem.

[Skittles]

18. it's always this way

some cut and run while expecting others to do the fighting

nothing new

[AmericaUnderSiege]

20. Yup. And this has been happening always.

I recall a guy who moved to Germany back in the late '00s, literally just before Obama. He was so self-congratulatory on his big "moral victory" over the United States, and shitting all over Americans. It was so stupid and disgusting. He just had to shit on everything everyone else was accomplishing to rationalize his egotism.

Every step we took forward, that fuckwit would smugly insist it should have been further and that it was proof we suck. He took credit for the achievements of ancestors he never knew, then took credit for the achievements of a country he never knew simply by moving there, and further took credit-by-contrast for the offenses of people he refused to fight.

I don't know if there's a word for such moral parasites, but there should be.

[Celerity]

27. Cool story bruv...

[AmericaUnderSiege]

28. Thank you for your appreciation, bro...

[Celerity]

30. I am a cis female.

[keopeli]

5. We each have but one life.

this professor has already given to the world in defense of democracy. must he sacrifice his family to be a patriot? would we expect jews to stay under hitler in the 1930s so they can fight? No. All the best to him and his family as well as anyone who leaves to live their life in peace and safety. Many of us do not have this option. But, if you do, I hold no ill will against you.

[GreatGazoo]

15. For those of us not moving to Canada or Ireland

Gene Sharp's list:

https://commonslibrary.org/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action/

[0rganism]

16. Understandable but futile, like moving from Berlin to Warsaw in 1936

It's not a solution for everyone, probably not even for him, but I can understand acting on the urge, whether from shame or fear.