Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor, authors and activists, recently released a book exploring what they term “end-times fascism,” a political phenomenon they see as intimately connected to the environmental and social crises facing the world today. They argue that a coalition of religious fundamentalists, ethnonationalists, and influential technology figures is accelerating global collapse while positioning themselves to benefit from the ensuing upheaval.
According to Klein, end-times fascism is a modern iteration of fascism adapted to the realities of the 21st century, distinguished by its acceptance—indeed expectation—of planetary catastrophe. Unlike earlier fascist movements, today’s version is aware of existential threats posed by climate change and nuclear weapons, and it operates with advanced technologies. This form of fascism does not seek to prevent global collapse but rather to survive and profit in its aftermath.
Klein and Taylor identify three primary factions that make up this coalition. The first includes religious end-timers, particularly evangelical Christian Zionists in the United States and Israel, who view environmental and social disasters as signs of an impending apocalypse and divine salvation. The second faction comprises technology elites who embrace radical technological transformation and artificial intelligence, often envisioning a post-collapse digital universe while preparing secure refuges in the physical world. Elon Musk and SpaceX are cited as emblematic of this outlook. The third group involves ethnonationalists, who respond to perceived cultural and demographic threats by militarizing and closing off nations, often leveraging fears about immigration and social change.
While the coalition is described as uneasy and somewhat contradictory, Klein and Taylor point to its concrete political expression in the U.S. under the Trump administration, which brought together elements of these factions into a governing force backed by substantial resources.
Their analysis extends beyond identification to a critique of capitalism’s role in combining unchecked growth with resource depletion and social inequality, which they see as fueling this reactionary alliance. Drawing on thinkers such as Walter Benjamin and W.E.B. Du Bois, the authors describe fascism as “capitalism with bared teeth,” emerging whenever elites feel their dominance threatened.
The book also addresses the dangers of normalizing radical right-wing nationalism, noting the alarming rhetoric from some leaders who control nuclear arsenals or exert vast economic influence. Klein and Taylor view the rise of such movements not as isolated incidents but as part of a global pattern that demands urgent challenge.
Despite the grim diagnosis, the authors emphasize the potential for progressive resistance grounded in material justice and inclusive politics. They highlight examples like the 2021 New York mayoral campaign of Zohran Mamdani, who built a broad coalition focused on addressing economic and social concerns while embracing diversity. Other instances include grassroots opposition to corporate excess and organized community defense against immigration enforcement, demonstrating alternative forms of solidarity and political engagement.
Though largely focused on the United States, the authors acknowledge broader global dynamics and call for further exploration of how other regions might offer lessons on confronting authoritarian tendencies. Ultimately, Klein and Taylor aim to map the contours of a new political terrain defined by converging crises and to inspire efforts to counter reactionary forces through inclusive, justice-oriented movements.