Democracy in Our Time: A Discussion of It Can’t Happen Here

As part of our Democracy in Our Time series, we invite you to join us for a discussion of Sinclair Lewis’s novel It Can’t Happen Here. Written in 1935 during the rise of fascism abroad and economic despair at home, Lewis’s work remains relevant today. Blending sharp political satire with a chillingly realistic scenario, the novel imagines how authoritarianism could take root in the United States under the guise of populism and moral reform. Described upon release as “a message to thinking Americans,” It Can’t Happen Here explores the fragility of democratic institutions and the ease with which fear, misinformation, and charismatic leadership can undermine them. In an era where democratic norms continue to be tested, this book offers a powerful starting point for conversation. Copies of the book are available at the first-floor information desk.