Justin Schlosberg and Nigel Biggar chaired by Stephen Law

Priest and theologian Proifessor Nigel Biggar 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?

Biggar is a British Anglican priest and theologian and formerly professor of moral and pastoral theology at the University of Oxford. He also chairs the board of trustees of the Free Speech Union. He has authored multiple books, his most recent being Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning.

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.