That's how fascism takes hold and grows in society: it gains traction by playing upon the fears of people; it keeps chipping away at long held and hard won battles for civil rights and social protections that include minority members of society (cultural, religious, sexual minority, poor, weak, disabled, children...).
Here's an oped which was featured in Economic Sociology and Political Economy, authored by Oleg Komlik, on January 22, 2017; based on the writings of Karl Polanyi's -- The Great Transformation (excerpt from the article and link, provided below):
"...the movement would come when both economic and political systems were threatened by complete paralysis. Fear would grip the people, and leadership would be thrust upon those who offered the easiest way out, at whatsoever ultimate price. The time was right for fascism," -- Karl Polanyi (p. 236, The Great Transformation).
I think Komlik has identified critical aspects of how fascism takes hold in society via critical sociological and political exploration of such problematic issues affecting current modern day issues in American society.
LINK (to article):
https://economicsociology.org/2017/0...arket-economy/