3rd Meeting: Antifascist Book Club Leader Guide

Welcome to the third meeting of your Antifascist Book Club! This guide will help you facilitate a discussion on Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present by Ruth Ben-Ghiat, focusing on the rise of authoritarian leaders and the conditions that enable their power. Use the discussion prompts and action steps to deepen your group's understanding and commitment.

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The PDF version includes extended discussion prompts, deeper analysis of key themes, and additional resources for continuing the conversation.

Purpose of This Meeting

This session will focus on the introduction and Part 1 of Strongmen, examining the processes through which authoritarian leaders rise to power. It will cover historical examples, socio-political conditions, and the mechanisms that enable authoritarian rule.

Objectives of This Meeting

• Analyze key arguments in the introduction and Part 1 of Strongmen.

• Identify patterns in historical authoritarian takeovers.

• Discuss the role of democratic fragility in enabling authoritarianism.

• Draw connections between Ben-Ghiat's analysis and contemporary politics.

1. Welcome & Opening Thoughts (10-15 min)

• Reiterate the goals of the book club and today’s discussion.

• Invite members to share initial reactions to Strongmen.

2. Understanding the Core Themes (20-30 min)

Discussion Areas:

• Fascist Takeovers: How have authoritarian leaders leveraged crises to seize power?

• Military Coups: What conditions enable military-backed takeovers?

• New Authoritarian Ascents: How do modern authoritarians use democratic systems to consolidate power?

Guiding Questions:

• Which historical figures discussed in this section were most surprising or relevant?

• How do authoritarian leaders exploit national crises to justify power grabs?

3. Making Contemporary Connections (10 min)

• Identify current political leaders who exhibit tactics described in Part 1.

• Discuss similarities between historical and contemporary authoritarian tactics.

4. Looking Ahead & Actionable Steps (10 min)

• Encourage members to apply these lessons to current events.

• Prepare for the next discussion on Part 2 of Strongmen.

5. Conclusion & Next Steps (5-10 min)

• Thank members for their participation.

• Confirm the next meeting’s topic: Strongmen, Part 2.

Continue the Journey

• Go to the 4th Meeting Guide

• Return to the Leader Guides Index

📥 Download the expanded PDF version with additional details(Placeholder)

For more resources, visit the main Antifascist Book Club page.