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Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue

Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue

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 Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue promotes constitutional government and American democracy while opposing authoritarianism and fascism. This podcast explores rising threats to democratic institutions, examines authoritarian trends in American politics, and empowers citizens to recognize and resist actions that undermine constitutional government.Aaron Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The First Four Traits of Fascism: Powerful Nationalism, Disdain for Human Rights, Scapegoating, and Military Supremacy — And What We Can Do to Stop It

    The First Four Traits of Fascism: Powerful Nationalism, Disdain for Human Rights, Scapegoating, and Military Supremacy — And What We Can Do to Stop It
    Feb 21 2026
    In this episode, we explore the historical roots of fascism and four core traits: extreme nationalism, disregard for human rights, scapegoating, and military supremacy. Fascism is defined as a far-right ideology that elevates the nation above the individual, centralizes power, suppresses dissent, and often pursues expansionist policy. We examine early 20th-century Europe, including Italy and Germany to trace patterns leading to World War II.Laurence Britt’s “14 characteristics of fascism” are discussed as a framework for analysis. The first four traits are then applied to contemporary U.S. politics, including nationalism, executive power, immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and foreign policy. We also explore distinctions between patriotism and nationalism, and historical examples of resistance such as the Baltic “Singing Revolution,” Spain’s post-Franco transition, and Chile’s 1988 referendum ending Pinochet’s rule.Finally, we consider research on civic engagement and nonviolent movements, including the “3.5% rule,” alongside practical participation like voting, local involvement, and peaceful protest. The episode concludes by reflecting on citizens’ responsibilities when democratic norms are challenged.Sourceshttps://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/fascism-1https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/spanish-civil-warhttps://theconversation.com/what-is-fascism-153947https://voxpopulisphere.com/2017/08/23/lawrence-britt-14-characteristics-of-fascism/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/holocaust-museum-warning-signs-fascism/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nationalism-vs-Patriotism-Whats-the-Differencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ92vwYOVeAhttps://time.com/7335069/spain-franco-fascism-death-anniversary/https://www.fpri.org/article/2016/10/singing-revolution-past-present/https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/media/series/68/democratic-development-and-reckoning-with-the-past-the-case-of-spain-in-comparative-context-2https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/civil-disobedience/https://www.britannica.com/topic/civil-disobediencehttps://www.britannica.com/topic/satyagraha-philosophyhttps://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights#overviewhttps://fairvote.org/press/house-elections-broken-release-2025/https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/Erica%20Chenoweth_2020-005.pdfhttps://whyy.org/articles/trump-administration-deportation-error-abrego-garcia/https://www.npr.org/2025/10/24/nx-s1-5585181/congress-is-investigating-cases-of-u-s-citizens-detained-in-immigration-raidshttps://abcnews.go.com/US/ice-memo-allows-agents-enter-homes-judicial-warrant/story?id=129436766https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/trump-strategy-document-revives-monroe-doctrine-slams-europe-2025-12-05/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/trump-expansionism-threatens-the-rules-based-order-in-place-since-second-world-warhttps://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-10-07/trump-says-migrants-whove-committed-murder-have-brought-a-lot-of-bad-genes-in-our-countryhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/renee-good-autopsy-ice-minneapolishttps://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5https://people.com/va-doctor-remembers-alex-pretti-37-year-old-icu-nurse-killed-by-ice-exclusive-11892030https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2ehttps://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11357
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Setting the Stage: Defending Democracy Amid Rising Authoritarianism and Fascism

    Setting the Stage: Defending Democracy Amid Rising Authoritarianism and Fascism
    Jan 18 2026

    Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue is dedicated to defending constitutional government and promoting the principles of American democracy while examining the rise of authoritarianism and fascism. In a time when democratic institutions face increasing threats, this podcast explores the trends, ideas, and actions that endanger the rule of law, civil liberties, and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Preserving American democracy is essential for safeguarding the rights, security, and well-being of all citizens.

    Through thoughtful discussion and clear explanations, each episode helps listeners recognize authoritarian tendencies and understand why defending democratic institutions is urgent.

    The first episode, “Setting the Stage: Defending Democracy Amid Rising Authoritarianism and Fascism,” introduces the mission of the podcast, defines key concepts like authoritarianism and fascism, and emphasizes the increasing authoritarian and fascist tendencies in U.S. political life.

    This podcast provides a platform for dialogue, reflection, and understanding. Listeners are encouraged to explore, question, and engage with the material to form their own insights about the challenges facing American democracy today. Preserving The Republic: A Dialogue is committed to clarity, honesty about perspectives, and providing a framework for recognizing and resisting threats to constitutional governance.

    Subscribe to follow the series and join the conversation on protecting American democracy and ensuring the longevity of constitutional government.


    Show Sources

    https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/quotes/the-worst-form-of-government/

    https://www.acton.org/research/lord-acton-quote-archive

    https://www.britannica.com/topic/authoritarianism?utm

    https://www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/authoritarianism/?utm

    https://banotes.org/comparative-government-politics/nature-characteristics-authoritarian-regimes/?utm

    https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-weimar-republic

    https://ithy.com/article/america-weimar-comparison-dm14l9nh?utm

    https://www.princetonpoliticalreview.org/international-news/viktor-orbns-hungary-corruption-repression-amp-democratic-backslidinghttps://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/democracy-governance/rise-western-anti-democracy-movements

    https://www.theweek.in/news/middle-east/2025/05/16/turkey-s-authoritarian-turn-erdogan-s-regime-is-shedding-its-democratic-pretence.html?utm

    https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/08/us-democratic-backsliding-in-comparative-perspective?lang=en

    https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/05/democracy-turkey?utm

    https://www.foreignaffairs.com/turkey/turkey-now-full-blown-autocracy-erdogan-imamoglu?check_logged_in=1&utm_medium=promo_email&utm_source=lo_flows&utm_campaign=article_link&utm_term=article_email&utm_content=20260103
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    55 mins
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