Is America trending towards Fascism?

[Aaron]

I got this article from Rense.com. I will put it here and allow you to decide for yourself. 

 

 

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed

to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

[blackstar212]

I got this article from Rense.com. I will put it here and allow you to decide for yourself. 

 

 

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed

to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

If these are the elements of fascism then a resounding YES!

[dust]

Without accusing anyone of "fascism", I will say that, from a distance, it appears that some of these points are either already quite true of the USA or are becoming more apparent. Though this is only true of a portion of the population, with other factions behaving quite differently.

 

It should be obvious that many of these points are true in nations like "Communist" China. With Mao at the helm China was never on a path to true communism anyway, but as its economy has become unashamedly capitalist in nature and it has continued on a path of nationalism, militarism, poor human rights, controlled media, rampant corruption, control of religion, etc, not to mention the way the economy is run and apparently teetering on the edge of genocide in Tibet, it has become very close to a fascist state (essentially it is a fascist state and we just won't call it that for some reason). Though I'm optimistic that things continue to improve, however slowly. edit: I mention China as an example of a modern nation that is much closer to fascism than America, so we can compare and see just how close/far the USA is from this state.

 

The USA certainly isn't fascist and some of the points above are not true ("smear campaigns" are a sign of democracy in action, not fascism! -- can you think of an election in which candidates were not smeared? -- and I do not believe that either side manipulated the last election in any way that could be compared to Hitler) but it would certainly behoove many Americans to take a step back and listen to themselves sometimes.

Edited March 9, 2017 by dust

[Jetsun]

The USA has always been really big on nationalism, I always found it strange that when I lived there as a child I had to swear an oath to the flag every morning. But now I kind of understand when you have a young nation of immigrants you need to push and forge a national identity to promote unity, at least when the nation is just emerging. I would say these days there is less need for it though and people are getting a more mature attitude around it rather than becoming more nationalistic.

 

But I do consider the USA an Obligarchy, which is basically set up and run for a tiny majority, who use tools like promoting nationalism and fear of migrants for their own agenda.

[Taomeow]

I always go to the original source.  The author of the term fascism (not to be confused with nazism), Benito Mussolini, defined it as "the merger of government and corporate power." 

 

Everything else is side effects.

 

Ask not if a country is trending toward fascism.  Ask if the government and corporate powers in the country have merged.  If they have, it's a fascist country.  If they haven't, it is a feudal country. 

[blackstar212]

I always go to the original source. The author of the term fascism (not to be confused with nazism), Benito Mussolini, defined it as "the merger of government and corporate power."

 

Everything else is side effects.

 

Ask not if a country is trending toward fascism. Ask if the government and corporate powers in the country have merged. If they have, it's a fascist country. If they haven't, it is a feudal country.

Excellent post!!

[Brian]

I always go to the original source. The author of the term fascism (not to be confused with nazism), Benito Mussolini, defined it as "the merger of government and corporate power."

 

Everything else is side effects.

 

Ask not if a country is trending toward fascism. Ask if the government and corporate powers in the country have merged. If they have, it's a fascist country. If they haven't, it is a feudal country.

Yes, I often write here of feudalism and I typically point to that understanding of "fascism," too, even though the US Federal government is liberally sprinkled with Roman fascist symbology which was put in place prior to Benito's emergence. I think you provide a good working definition and draw a bright line.

[Taomeow]

Yes, I often write here of feudalism and I typically point to that understanding of "fascism," too, even though the US Federal government is liberally sprinkled with Roman fascist symbology which was put in place prior to Benito's emergence. I think you provide a good working definition and draw a bright line.

 

Oh, of course.  I know all about the fasces (among other things) and what they signify...   Fascism definitely predates Benito by a long stretch, and was used as the foundation of many an empire.  He just went ahead and gave the phenomenon a lapidary modern definition.  

[Brian]

Oh, of course. I know all about the fasces (among other things) and what they signify... Fascism definitely predates Benito by a long stretch, and was used as the foundation of many an empire. He just went ahead and gave the phenomenon a lapidary modern definition.

I had no doubt you knew of which I spoke but not everyone does (or has done) their homework.

[Taomeow]

I knew you knew and I knew you knew I knew.

 

I have several books on signs and symbols...  some people learn a new word every day to keep their minds sharp, I try to learn a new symbol every day...  ever since the world of man-made logos, insignia, regalia, marks, etc., first started whispering its secrets in my ear. 

 

It's not for nothing that the most famous text has this opening line, "In the beginning there was Logos." 

 

 

 

[ralis]

There are several threads from years back on TDB and I would suggest reading historical analysis and on this subject.

Fascism as defined by historians is a right wing authoritarian ideology. E.g. German fascism and Italian fascism each expressed different characteristics. Sinclair Lewis wrote that when fascism comes to the USA it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

 

Richard Hofstadter

Wilhelm Reich

Ian Kershaw

This interview contains several references;  http://therealnews.com/t2/story:18590:Empire-Files%3A-Chris-Hedges-%26-Abby-Martin---Trump%2C-Fascism-%26-the-Christian-Right

Edited March 8, 2017 by ralis

[Kar3n]

Ronald Reagan saw it coming decades ago, only I do not believe it to be specific to the right.

 

[ralis]

Ronald Reagan saw it coming decades ago, only I do not believe it to be specific to the right.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efP2Gn-VE-k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9YGIbypYSk

I have thoroughly studied fascism and it is specific to the right.

[Kar3n]

I have thoroughly studied fascism and it is specific to the right.

We all have opinions, ralis, like you, I am allowed to state mine, even if you do not agree.

 

Thank you for your input.

[Taomeow]

I have thoroughly studied fascism and it is specific to the right.

 

 

Too bad the notions of "right" and "left" have lost all meaning.  Bernie Sanders getting campaign contributions from Monsanto -- is that left or right?

 

???

 

People are being convinced they are left or right based on whether they stand to the left or to the right of the public urinal.  What are they being distracted from while fighting for the right to be left of the urinal?  From the devastating level of corporate-government interpenetration.

Edited March 8, 2017 by Taomeow

[ralis]

We all have opinions, ralis, like you, I am allowed to state mine, even if you do not agree.

 

Thank you for your input.

I go by historians and excellent scholarship. Not personal opinion.

[Kar3n]

I go by historians and excellent scholarship. Not personal opinion.

Good for you, it still does not make you right.

 

You might consider how the political scene has evolved, or in some cases devolved along with your history and scholorship.

[Brian]

Too bad the notions of "right" and "left" have lost all meaning. Bernie Sanders getting campaign contributions from Monsanto -- is that left or right?

 

???

 

People are being convinced they are left or right based on whether they stand to the left or to the right of the public urinal. What are they being distracted from while fighting for the right to be left of the urinal? From the devastating level of corporate-government interpenetration.

I find it informative to identify a small set of specific and objective principles, and then evaluate ideological positions relative to those principles. This exercise helps reveal cognitive dissonance and false assumptions, and often leads to an awareness of manipulation and propagandization which otherwise remains below conscious recognition.

[MooNiNite]

The thought that America is moving towards fascism is the pinnacle of absurdity. 

An assertion presented only to manipulate. 

 

We had a president who was African-American that raised taxes and increased military spending, created a monopoly in the health care sector, and gave 38 billion to Israel. 

 

Now when someone who happens to be white (Donald Trump) that notices the corruption and wants to do something about it.

 

The (owned) mass media calls him racist and fascist in order to divert people's attention.

 

Luckily Trump ended up on top.

 

[MooNiNite]

IF you define Fascism as "the merger of government and corporate power." 

 

Obama would be the pinnacle of fascism under that definition. 

 

Then we are actually moving away from Fascism. This is the breaking point. 

 

 

Google/wiki actually defines fascism as this though:

 

"an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization."

 

Which is, in my opinion, the incorrect definition and a sign of corporate corruption that is still prevalent today. 

 

But the definitions of words change based on how people use them. 

Edited March 8, 2017 by MooNiNite

[Brian]

IF you define Fascism as "the merger of government and corporate power."

 

Obama would be the pinnacle of fascism under that definition.

 

Then we are actually moving away from Fascism. This is the breaking point.

 

 

Google/wiki actually defines fascism as this though:

 

"an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization."

 

Which is, in my opinion, the incorrect definition and a sign of corporate corruption that is still prevalent today.

 

But the definitions of words change based on how people use them.

And based on who writes them...

[Kar3n]

IF you define Fascism as "the merger of government and corporate power." 

 

Obama would be the pinnacle of fascism under that definition. 

 

Then we are actually moving away from Fascism. This is the breaking point. 

 

 

Google/wiki actually defines fascism as this though:

 

"an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization."

 

Which is, in my opinion, the incorrect definition and a sign of corporate corruption that is still prevalent today. 

 

But the definitions of words change based on how people use them. 

Today, we see a lot of definitions changed based on who is using the words as well. 

[Aaron]

Actually Fascism has always been linked to corporate power and nationalism. I would say the current trend in America started with Bush and was carried on through the Obama administration. This isn't just a Republican agenda, but a Democrat one as well. The goal is to remove freedoms from American's and increase the power of the wealthy, plain and simple. Anyone not on board isn't patriotic, plain and simple. the wrinkle in this plan is that they didn't expect as many people as there are, to be opposed to their singling out Muslims and Hispanics. Gosh darn morality taught to us before it fell out of vogue. 

 

In my opinion in the next few months we'll see a major terrorist attack that will be the cause of massive loss of life and that will be the reasoning for removing our civil rights. It most likely wont happen here, but the idea that it could happen here is all that matters. The current administration will blow it out of proportions so they can use it for their agenda. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I will be. 

 

"If you have nothing to hide, what do you have to be afraid of?"

Edited March 10, 2017 by Aaron

[ralis]

Good for you, it still does not make you right.

 

You might consider how the political scene has evolved, or in some cases devolved along with your history and scholorship.

 

I suppose you are right and I am wrong? Further, I have compared and contrasted historical movements with present day political agendas and my conclusion is that in general the human species has not changed and expresses the same authoritarianism, nationalism, autocracy, hate, greed, penchant for wars, misogyny, group think and so forth. These same behaviors are displayed by the Trump administration as authoritarian agendas.

Edited March 9, 2017 by ralis

[Kar3n]

I suppose you are right and I am wrong? Further, I have compared and contrasted historical movements with present day political agendas and my conclusion is that in general the human species has not changed and expresses the same authoritarianism, nationalism, autocracy, hate, greed, penchant for wars, misogyny, group think and so forth. These same behaviors are displayed by the Trump administration as authoritarian agendas.

From my point of view you are just not looking at the big picture of politics and politicians as a whole. I have no control over what you choose to turn a blind eye to.

 

Both sides of the aisle display and have displayed all of the behaviors you list, and are not specific to the right.