Jason Stanley - Us vs. Them

Jason Stanley, a Yale professor, discusses the 'us versus them' theme in politics, highlighting its use in fascist tactics. He explains how politicians vilify groups based on ethnicity, religion, or culture, portraying them as lazy or criminal. Examples include Hindu nationalists in India, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, and historical references to Nazi Germany. Stanley emphasizes the contradictions in these portrayals, such as immigrants being labeled both lazy and job-stealers. He warns that these tropes are alarm signals for impending brutality and urges challenging them to safeguard democracy.

What is the main topic discussed by Jason Stanley in his talk?

How do fascist politicians typically employ us versus them politics?

What are some examples of groups that have been vilified in the context of us versus them politics?

What does the phrase 'Arbeit macht frei' signify in the context of Nazi Germany?

What contradictions exist in the portrayal of Jews during the Nazi regime?

How are immigrants portrayed in the United States according to the talk?

What should we do when we hear tropes that characterize groups as lazy or criminal?