[Verse 1] Started with some thinkers in their ivory towers Writing manifestos about minority powers Intellectual exploration, stage number one Ideas taking shape before the damage is done From the margins to the mainstream, theories spread wide Blaming democracy for what's wrong inside Economic crisis hits, people looking for blame Enter the strongman promising change to the game [Chorus] Five stages down the fascist road I-P-S-E-R, crack the code Intellectual, Political rooting grows Seizure, Exercise, Radical shows Democracy dies in stages, not overnight Warning signs are flashing, are we losing the fight? [Verse 2] Stage two is political, finding fertile ground Mainstream parties thinking allies can be found Coalition building with the radical right "We can control them" - famous last words in sight Economic hardship makes the message appeal "Make us great again" starts feeling real Electoral gains and seats within the system Democracy's weakness becomes their wisdom [Chorus] Five stages down the fascist road I-P-S-E-R, crack the code Intellectual, Political rooting grows Seizure, Exercise, Radical shows Democracy dies in stages, not overnight Warning signs are flashing, are we losing the fight? [Verse 3] Stage three seizure, but not always by force Sometimes invited in through democratic course Crisis provides the perfect opening door "Emergency powers" - we've heard this before Conservative allies think they're pulling strings But the tail starts wagging, see what fascism brings Delegitimize opponents, call them enemies Plant the seeds of what becomes the new disease [Bridge] Watch for the warning signs Media capture, toe the line Paramilitarization Violence normalization Opposition demonized Truth becomes weaponized [Verse 4] Stage four exercise, consolidation time Institutions captured, dissent becomes crime Civil service purged and courts fall in line Independent media? That's where they draw the line Stage five's the question - will they radicalize? Or will entropy set in as the movement dies? History shows us both paths are real The choice depends on how the people feel [Chorus] Five stages down the fascist road I-P-S-E-R, crack the code Intellectual, Political rooting grows Seizure, Exercise, Radical shows Democracy dies in stages, not overnight Warning signs are flashing, we must win this fight [Outro] Paxton mapped the pathway, now we know the game Democratic norms aren't broken all the same Vigilance and action, that's our only hope Before we're sliding down that slippery slope
← Week 10: Economics of Fascism | Week 13: Resistance and Moral Choice →