Clara Mattei, an esteemed economist and director of the Center for Heterodox Economics at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has published extensively on the intersections of austerity, capitalism, and authoritarianism.

Her influential book, _El orden del capital: cómo los economistas inventaron la austeridad y allanaron el camino hacia el fascismo_, examines the historical relationship between these themes, particularly the role of austerity in advancing authoritarian regimes.

Mattei argues that the connection between fascism and austerity is significantly more profound than conventional historical narratives suggest.

Through her research, she highlights how Benito Mussolini, who rose to power in Italy in 1922, capitalized on his ability to implement austerity measures that aligned with the demands of liberal elites while simultaneously stifling the labor movement’s push for societal change.

Mussolini's administration, as Mattei points out, utilized austerity to justify massive privatizations, eliminate the right to strike, and impose wage reductions, all while cutting social spending and corporate taxes.

This strategy allowed fascism to thrive by suppressing potential challenges to its authority, maintaining power for over two decades with support from various national and international stakeholders.

In her work, Mattei defines austerity not merely as an economic tool but as a political weapon wielded to reinforce capitalist structures.

She posits that austerity serves to diminish the power and resources available to the working class, thereby deepening their dependence on the capitalist market.

This phenomenon is starkly apparent in the United States, where essential services like education and healthcare require financial expenditure, leaving many at the mercy of a system that increasingly benefits a small elite.

Mattei identifies a troubling trend of rising right-wing and far-right political movements, suggesting that these are symptomatic of an ongoing wave of austerity that has evolved to become more aggressive.

Citing recent policy decisions by the Trump administration that include significant reductions to social care programs and food assistance, Mattei underscores the detrimental impact on vulnerable populations, particularly the working homeless.

The socio-economic landscape in the U.S., she argues, reveals that cuts to social services occur while military spending escalates, illustrating a strategic allocation of resources that favors large corporations profiting from global conflicts.

Mattei draws parallels between contemporary austerity measures and historical practices, suggesting that similar justifications are being employed today to sustain an economic order that prioritizes corporate profit over the well-being of ordinary citizens.

Discussing NATO spending, Mattei expresses that austerity is less about budget cuts and more about state intervention that reallocates resources from the many to the few.

She asserts that military expenditure is intricately tied to the logic of austerity, facilitating profit for corporations while undermining the economic agency of workers.

When examining the tariffs imposed during Trump's presidency, Mattei comments on the rhetorical framing of economic struggles.

She highlights how the narrative of restoring American jobs oversimplifies complex global realities, ultimately fostering divisions among workers domestically and internationally, and reinforcing Trump's support base.

Mattei notes a significant shift in global economic dynamics, particularly in relation to the United States’ competitive capabilities against nations like China.

She indicates that the current state of the U.S. reflects a decline in economic hegemony, where globalization appears increasingly misaligned with American investor interests.

Through her critical perspective, Mattei advocates for a reassessment of commonly held beliefs regarding capitalism and democracy, emphasizing the need to confront the political undercurrents that shape economic policies.

She positions this moment as an opportunity to reevaluate the foundations of societal organization and the relationship between economics and power.