"It Can't Happen Here" is a novel by Sinclair Lewis that explores the rise of fascism in America. Set in the 1930s, the story revolves around a fictional politician, Buzz Windrip, who gains power by appealing to the public's fears and desires. His authoritarian regime undermines democratic values, leading to the oppression of dissent and the loss of personal freedoms.
The protagonist, Doremus Jessup, is a newspaper editor who initially underestimates the threat of Windrip's rise. As the situation escalates, he and his friends become increasingly alarmed by the changes occurring in their society. The narrative highlights the complacency of the population and the dangers of apathy in the face of tyranny.