Introduction : how populism is turning to wannabe fascism -- Violence and the militarization of politics -- Fascist lies and propaganda -- The politics of xenophobia -- Dictatorship -- Epilogue

"Drawing on almost three decades of research on the histories of fascism and populism around the world, The Wannabe Fascists lays out in clear language what the author calls the 'four pillars of fascism'--xenophobia, propaganda, political violence, and ultimately dictatorship. Federico Finchelstein carefully explains how and why wannabe fascists like Trump, Bolsonaro, and Modi embrace the first three pillars but don't quite succeed in dictatorship and total suppression of the popular vote. The Wannabe Fascists stresses the importance of preventing despots from reaching this tipping point and offers a clear warning for what's at stake"--