Podcast / American Prestige / Apr 23, 2024

Did Fascism Happen Here?

On this episode of American Prestige, Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins on the so-called “fascism debate.”

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Did It Happen Here? with Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of American Prestige, Danny and Derek welcome back Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins, assistant professor in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, to talk about his edited volume Did It Happen Here? Perspectives on Fascism and America. The group explores the utility of the so-called “fascism debate”, its popular resonance since the 2016 election, how Daniel curated the book, analysis of fascism in the Black radical tradition, perceptions of fascism in academia vs. those in organized labor, how social media fuels an otherwise arcane, academic discussion, and more.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

(W. W. Norton & Company)

On this week’s episode of American Prestige, we welcome back Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins, assistant professor in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, to talk about his edited volume, Did It Happen Here? Perspectives on Fascism and America.

We explore the utility of the so-called “fascism debate,” its popular resonance since the 2016 election, how Daniel curated the book, analysis of fascism in the Black radical tradition, perceptions of fascism in academia vs. those in organized labor, how social media fuels an otherwise arcane, academic discussion, and more.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Iran War Kills US Troops, US-Saudi Arabia Strike Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires Top General / American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

American Prestige HQ continues to roll the dice on iceberg lettuce. In this week’s news: Iranian strikes kill four U.S. service members in Jordan and Iraq, and the Pentagon conceals dozens of additional casualties (2:09); Trump threatens to hit an Iranian nuclear facility and warns of attacks on civilian infrastructure (6:32); the Houthis blockade Saudi Arabia and strike two oil tankers in the Red Sea (14:20); the U.S. and Saudi Arabia announce a civilian nuclear deal (18:23); in Lebanon, the IDF begins a “pilot” withdrawal from three southern villages (23:48); Hamas elects Khalil al-Hayya as its new political leader (25:48); Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo top 1,000 (27:44); the Trump administration considers military action against jihadists in Mali (30:09); Volodymyr Zelensky fires Ukraine's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi (32:29); Andy Burnham becomes prime minister of the United Kingdom (35:17); Trump imposes new tariffs on Brazil and Canada (36:53); and the State Department releases a report that names Cuba a top security threat (40:46).

Don’t forget to watch a replay of last night’s livestream with special guest Alex Aviña

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

More from The Nation

Librarians Are Helping the Public Ditch AI—With Hannah Cyrus & Alison Macrina

Librarians Are Helping the Public Ditch AI—With Hannah Cyrus & Alison Macrina Librarians Are Helping the Public Ditch AI—With Hannah Cyrus & Alison Macrina

Paris Marx is joined by Hannah Cyrus and Alison Macrina to discuss the role of library workers in the digital landscape.

Paris Marx

President Franklin D. Roosevelt endorses New Deal candidates during a radio broadcast from his Hyde Park home.

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

Andrew Preston joins Danny and Derek to trace the evolution of the American national security state, from the early republic to the Cold War and beyond.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

The Plan for November—and After

The Plan for November—and After The Plan for November—and After

Ben Wikler lays out Democratic strategy, and John Nichols talks about progressive candidates for the Senate.

Jon Wiener

President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during the daily morning briefing at Palacio Nacional on July 15, 2026, in Mexico City, Mexico.

Borderlands—With Ken Salazar  Borderlands—With Ken Salazar 

Former Senator Ken Salazar joins Fighting Fascism to discuss immigration, the US-Mexico border, Democratic strategy, and the politics of Mexico under AMLO and Claudia Sheinbaum.

Free-press advocates project messages opposing the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger during the News & Documentary Emmy Awards held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 27, 2026, in New York City.

Fighting Monopoly Power Fighting Monopoly Power

Zephyr Teachout on how to combat the corporate consolidation.

Jeet Heer

A demonstrator holds a placard during a march against the implementation of digital ID cards, in central London on October 18, 2025.

Tech Refusal Has a Very Long History—With Thomas Dekeyser Tech Refusal Has a Very Long History—With Thomas Dekeyser

Paris Marx is joined by Thomas Dekeyser to explore how past movements that resisted technological change can reshape how we think about technology and progress today.

Paris Marx

x