A deeply reported look at how polarization and compounding crises including the war in Gaza
and threats to democracy have reshaped American politics Fascism or Genocide is New York Times
Magazine writer Ross Barkan's sweeping report on the 2024 US election and the decade of
political upheaval that led up to it. The political tumult of the 2010s--the rise of Donald
Trump the Bernie Sanders insurgency Black Lives Matter--gave way to a pandemic and then Joe
Biden who for a second time decided to run against Trump. As in 2020 Biden campaigned on a
platform to save democracy but fewer voters were enthused. Biden's withdrawal from the 2024
election after a disastrous debate performance and Kamala Harris's subsequent nomination have
riveted the country amid a tumultuous political moment. During the Democratic primary season
more than half a million Americans cast votes for "Uncommitted" ballot options to send Biden a
message about the urgent need to end the killing in Gaza with some tagging him "Genocide Joe."
These voters contrast with the sentiments of mainstream liberals who believe Trump puts
America on the road to fascism. As the director of an influential Palestinian advocacy group
tells Barkan it was a "choice between fascism or genocide." Fascism or Genocide will be among
the first books published after the 2024 election fully analyzing the election results and
focusing on the future of the Democratic Party which has been ruptured by a decade of
political infighting and an unprecedented election year.
