Grace Blakeley, Matthew Goodwin and Justin Schlosberg chaired by Stephen Law

Journalist Grace Blakeley, political commentator Matthew Goodwin and academic Professor Justin Schlosberg debate the nature of fascism and whether concern about an apparent rise is justified.
Kamala Harris recently called Trump a fascist. What is fascism, exactly, and what about it is toxic? Is ‘fascist’ a well-defined term, or just an empty slogan used to condemn the right? What previously led to the rise of fascist regimes in Europe and elsewhere? Are worries about rising fascism an hysterical over-reaction, or should we be genuinely concerned? If fascism is on the rise again, what’s driving it, and why is it happening now?

Blakeley is a journalist at Tribune Magazine and author. She is former economics commentator for the New Statesman and a former research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research. Blakeley recently published her third book Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts and the Death of Freedom.

Goodwin is a political commentator and speaker known for his research on populism and right-wing movements. He was previously a professor of politics and international relations at the University of Kent and has authored many best-selling books. His most recent is Bad Education: Why Our Universities Are Broken and How We Can Fix Them.

Schlosberg is professor of media and communications at the University of Westminster, co-founder of the Institute for Journalism and Social Change, and Edmund J Safra Network Fellow at Harvard. His books include Disinformation: A Critical Perspective.

Discussions are chaired by Dr Stephen Law, a philosopher and academic, author of bestselling introductions to philosophy for adults and children including The Philosophy Gym, editor of the Royal Institute of Philosophy Journal Think, and the festival’s major projects director.