Jason Stanley on How Erasing History Threatens Democracy
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from September 23, 2026 | The War on Truth: Propaganda, History and American Democracy. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Jason Stanley, a philosopher, scholar of fascism and propaganda, and author of Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future, explored how governments manipulate history and education to advance authoritarian agendas. Drawing on historical examples and contemporary political developments, Stanley explained why an honest understanding of the past is essential to protecting democratic institutions and preparing citizens to participate in civic life.
The Battle Over History and National Identity
According to Stanley, controlling how a nation teaches its history is a powerful tool for shaping political identity. Authoritarian movements often promote a simplified narrative that celebrates national greatness while minimizing historical injustices and excluding the experiences of marginalized communities.
Stanley pointed to examples in the United States, Germany, and India, where political movements have sought to reshape historical narratives. In India, he noted efforts to diminish the significance of the Muslim-led Mughal Empire in school textbooks. In Germany, far-right political leaders have advocated shifting educational attention away from the Nazi era.
Stanley sees similar patterns in American debates over how schools, museums, and other institutions present the nation’s history.
Patriotic Education Versus Democratic Education
A central theme of Stanley’s discussion was the distinction between patriotic education and democratic education.
He argued that patriotic education, as promoted by authoritarian movements, emphasizes national heroes and achievements while discouraging critical examination of historical wrongdoing. By contrast, democratic education encourages students to understand the experiences, struggles, and contributions of their fellow citizens.
For Stanley, learning about slavery, racial discrimination, labor movements, and other difficult chapters of American history is not an attack on national identity. Rather, it provides the context necessary to understand contemporary society.
He specifically criticized efforts to restrict classroom discussions of structural racism, arguing that these limitations prevent students from understanding how historical policies continue to influence economic and social inequality.
Why Public Schools Matter to Democracy
Stanley emphasized that public schools serve a purpose beyond academic instruction. They bring together people from different backgrounds and provide opportunities to learn about one another.
He traced this democratic role to the struggle for public education following emancipation, when formerly enslaved Americans fought to establish schools and expand educational opportunities.
Without exposure to different perspectives and historical experiences, Stanley warned, citizens become more susceptible to political narratives that divide communities and encourage distrust.
Protecting History and Democratic Institutions
Despite his concerns, Stanley offered practical ways for individuals to defend democratic education. He encouraged Americans to study history independently, protect public libraries, oppose book removals, and participate in school boards and local government.
His broader message was that democracy depends on citizens who understand both their nation’s achievements and its shortcomings. Preserving that understanding requires active participation, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about the past.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.