In a new book titled “End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World,” authors Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor examine what they describe as an emerging political alignment driven by apocalyptic motivations. The two left-leaning intellectuals argue that a coalition composed of religious fundamentalists, ethnonationalists, and powerful technology figures—Elon Musk being a prominent example—is advancing a dangerous agenda that accelerates ecological and societal collapse. This coalition, they contend, operates under the belief that it will not only survive but thrive in a post-catastrophe world, regardless of the fate of the broader population.

Klein, known for her previous works including “The Shock Doctrine,” defines “end-times fascism” as a new iteration of fascism deeply intertwined with global existential crises, notably climate change. Unlike earlier fascist movements that emerged in eras without awareness of nuclear weaponry or planetary warming, this current form is characterized by its acceptance and even embrace of potential global collapse. Fascists today, Klein says, are focused on determining who will endure when catastrophe strikes.

The authors highlight the symbolism in contemporary ventures like SpaceX’s initial public offering as indicative of this mindset. Klein points to the preoccupation of billionaires with escaping Earth as reflective of a broader resignation—or even a strategic withdrawal—from the challenges facing the planet. While acknowledging that space exploration is not inherently fascist, she criticizes Musk’s framing of his efforts as “saving humanity” as symptomatic of a fatalistic worldview that implicitly accepts the degradation of life on Earth.

Taylor expands on the composition of what they call “end-times fascists,” noting the heterogeneity among these groups. She identifies three main factions: religious end-timers, including evangelical Christian Zionists in the United States and certain Zionist groups in Israel, who seek to hasten prophetic outcomes; technology elites who anticipate a digital singularity and are willing to sacrifice the physical world in favor of virtual futures; and ethnonationalists who perceive their nations as threatened by immigration and social change, leading them to adopt exclusionary and defensive postures. Despite contradictions and ideological tensions within this coalition, Taylor says they are united by a shared response to the perception that the world is spiraling toward crisis.

The coalition’s practical manifestation, the authors argue, can be seen in political developments such as the Trump administration, which they describe as a “Frankenstein-like” alliance bringing together these disparate elements. This fusion of religious fundamentalists, tech magnates, and nationalist forces informs a political landscape in which accelerated environmental and societal breakdown is not only tolerated but actively pursued by powerful actors.

While their analysis paints a stark and troubling picture, Klein and Taylor emphasize that the outcome is not predetermined. Their work underscores the high stakes involved and calls for resistance to prevent a future defined by collapse and exclusion.