It Can't Happen Here-Sinclair Lewis

Sinclair Lewis's It Can't Happen Here is another work of political fiction that describes an alternate timeline in which President Franklin Delano Roosevelt loses the election for his second term to Senator Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip. He platforms on a populist and nationalist platform and promises to end the Great Depression and make all citizens rich. He wins the election and implements a fascist regime, including his own secret police called the Minute Men.

The novel follows both Windrip's regime and the actions of Dormeus Jessup, a reporter from Vermont. Eventually, as Windrip's regime becomes increasingly authoritarian, Jessup joins an underground group that publishes anti-Windrip material. The novel ends with Windrip's regime ending after he is ousted by his Secretary of State, who is then ousted by another government official, leading into a state of rebellion and civil war.

This novel was an interesting insight into how fascism takes a stronghold in countries despite the western perception that it is a historical artifact, as emphasized by the novel's title. I've learned that a lot of people reference this book now as predicting the outcome of our 2016 election, and it's hard not to notice the tendencies of both Windrip and Trump to use fascist language and propose authoritarian policy. I think this novel serves as a good reminder for all of us to question our government officials and never assume that we have somehow surpassed the possibility of having a corrupt government. Resting on our laurels only gives the wrong people more opportunity to assume power.