The times, they are a changing. But not for the better. Terms like “authoritarian” and “fascist” have been used to describe Donald Trump’s second term for good reason. There are startling parallels between Trump’s consolidation of power and targeting of an “enemy within” and numerous authoritarian regimes over the last 100 years. One of the tools available to both better see the current political crisis and develop strategies to respond to it is the science of sociology. Sociology both builds critical thinking skills and instruct how to build social movements to respond to power. Led by Dr. Randall Blazak, an internationally recognized expert on right-wing extremism, this four-part series of 90-minute classes explores how to unmask authoritarianism, explores the attraction to right wing political movements, and discusses how local communities can best respond and restore democracy. The series is designed to be interactive with participants engaging in exercises and discussion.

Session 1 (November 18) – Fascist Creep: Sociology as a Lens on Power

Session 2 (November 25) – Authoritarianism Then and Now: Structures, Symbols, and Analysis

Session 3 (December 2) – Anomie, Identity, and the Authoritarian Appeal

Session 4 (December 9) – Building Democratic Resilience: Community Capacity and Mindfulness

About the webinar host: Randall Blazak earned his PhD from Emory University after an extensive field study of racist skinheads and neo-Nazis in America and Europe. He became a tenured professor at Portland State University, where he developed a career as an expert on right-wing extremism. Since 2015, he has worked on diversity advising and consulting on criminal cases. He has been the char of Oregon’s Coalition Against Hate Crimes since 2002 and is regular commentator in the local, national, and international media on issues related to domestic terrorism. In 2022, he co-founded Cure:PNW, a Portland-based project that interrupts political violence.