Lets play with Facism. It seems to be an important word thrown around quite often nowadays. Some of this is cut and paste and some my own thoughts.
Part of the reason why fascism seems to apply to so many different social and political viewpoints is that it is notoriously difficult to define. Mussolini's brand of Fascism is not exactly like Hitler's brand of Fascism, which is not the same as Francisco Franco's Fascism (in Spain) nor the neofascist (post-WWII) movements characterized by groups like the Skinheads. Still, there are some basic principles that can identify a Fascist movement:
definition. The "it takes a village" mentality is right on with this. I suggest that we fall into the "it
takes a village quagmire because we are unwilling to parent ourselves. We are too self
absorbed with us.
conservative movement sees strength as a deterrent to war or protest.
orientation, religion or ideology. We have gotten to the point where we are asking the
government to stop freedom of opinion.
president. We wanted them to rule decisively and with upmost power to move the liberal
progressive movement forward. Somehow, when the conservative white male won, he is
facist.
Some people use "fascist" to describe any authoritarian person or government. But as you can see, authoritarianism is only part of the philosophy. Communism under Stalin was an authoritarian political philosophy, too; but Fascism is directly opposed to Communism (along with democracy, liberalism, humanism and rationalism). Aside from the above principles, a Fascist state also typically promotes a private economy that submits to government regulation; immediate (and often violent) submission of any opposing views; the ethnic dominance of its own people and the lower status of outsiders.
While politicians and Conservative pundits seem more than willing to make a connection between a socio-political philosophy like fascism and a religion-based philosophy like Islamic fundamentalism, scholars are much less quick to cross that bridge. "Religious fascism," sometimes called "clerical fascism," has been a subject of debate since the latter term was coined to describe what some viewed as the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Mussolini regime. Some people saw the Church as a supporter of Fascism in Italy. Since religion can be so closely tied to ethnicity, many scholars have found philosophical similarities between political fascism and religious fundamentalism. On the other hand, the word is not exactly morally neutral in its contemporary usage. "Fascist" has become a common slur -- a blanket term used to mean "really bad guy." Making a connection between a particular religion and fascism can be a dangerous undertaking considering fascism's current connotation and the inherent difficulty in defining any singular fascist philosophy.
So to recap, here is my take of Facism.
1) The Nazi's put the Brown Shirts in the streets to destroy and intimidate. The progressive liberals are doing this now. Any conservative speaker is being shouted down and protested. No opinion other than the liberal progressive way is tolerated. We are not free to voice an opinion and allow due process of our economy take care of it. Opinions that don't meet the liberal mantra are shouted down. The new skinheads are the liberal progressive campus riots destroying property of others while enjoying anarchy.
2) The Nazi's promoted, many times by silence, the destruction of property and life to promote the nazi ideal. The leaders either promoted it outright or hide behind the silence of their position.
3) Being a proud countryman does not make me a Facist. An African American in that definition is a Facist for demanding the use of the African continent in how they are described. Pride in ownership. Pride in your country does not make you a Facist. It makes you a proud countryman.
4) Protecting the sovereignty of your country does not make you a Facist. If you tax your citizens, the leaderships first right of responsibility is protecting those who fund the system.
5) Calling a man who owns privately held businesses and publiclly held businesses and employs thousands, a Facist, is pretty stupid. Calling a man who desires less government control a Facist is pretty stupid.
There is a quote, that many contribute to Churchill, but it wasn't. He said that in the future, the facists will be the anti-facists. And sure enough, that is what is happening. The Facist movement is destroying business in the streets and attacking those with opposing viewpoints. The Facists hide behind the moniker of journalism to spread propoganda and lies to influence the populace.
Open to discussion. Bring it on. Will be happy to discuss with you.
Part of the reason why fascism seems to apply to so many different social and political viewpoints is that it is notoriously difficult to define. Mussolini's brand of Fascism is not exactly like Hitler's brand of Fascism, which is not the same as Francisco Franco's Fascism (in Spain) nor the neofascist (post-WWII) movements characterized by groups like the Skinheads. Still, there are some basic principles that can identify a Fascist movement:
- Absolute power of the State: The Fascist state is a glorious, living entity that is more important than any individual. All individuals are part of the State, but the State is greater than the sum of its parts. All individuals must set aside their own needs and supplicate themselves to the needs of the State. There is no law or other power that can limit the authority of the State.
definition. The "it takes a village" mentality is right on with this. I suggest that we fall into the "it
takes a village quagmire because we are unwilling to parent ourselves. We are too self
absorbed with us.
- Survival of the fittest: A Fascist state is only as glorious and powerful as its ability to wage wars and win them. Peace is viewed as weakness, aggression as strength. Strength is the ultimate good and ensures the survival of the State.
conservative movement sees strength as a deterrent to war or protest.
- Strict social order: Social classes are strictly maintained in order to avoid "mob rule" or any hint of chaos. Chaos is a threat to the State. The State's absolute power and greatness depends on the maintenance of a class system in which every individual has a specific place, and that place cannot be altered.
orientation, religion or ideology. We have gotten to the point where we are asking the
government to stop freedom of opinion.
- Authoritarian leadership: To maintain the power and greatness of the State requires a single, charismatic leader with absolute authority. This all-powerful, heroic leader maintains the unity and unquestioning submission required by the Fascist state. The authoritarian leader is often viewed as a symbol of the State.
president. We wanted them to rule decisively and with upmost power to move the liberal
progressive movement forward. Somehow, when the conservative white male won, he is
facist.
Some people use "fascist" to describe any authoritarian person or government. But as you can see, authoritarianism is only part of the philosophy. Communism under Stalin was an authoritarian political philosophy, too; but Fascism is directly opposed to Communism (along with democracy, liberalism, humanism and rationalism). Aside from the above principles, a Fascist state also typically promotes a private economy that submits to government regulation; immediate (and often violent) submission of any opposing views; the ethnic dominance of its own people and the lower status of outsiders.
While politicians and Conservative pundits seem more than willing to make a connection between a socio-political philosophy like fascism and a religion-based philosophy like Islamic fundamentalism, scholars are much less quick to cross that bridge. "Religious fascism," sometimes called "clerical fascism," has been a subject of debate since the latter term was coined to describe what some viewed as the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Mussolini regime. Some people saw the Church as a supporter of Fascism in Italy. Since religion can be so closely tied to ethnicity, many scholars have found philosophical similarities between political fascism and religious fundamentalism. On the other hand, the word is not exactly morally neutral in its contemporary usage. "Fascist" has become a common slur -- a blanket term used to mean "really bad guy." Making a connection between a particular religion and fascism can be a dangerous undertaking considering fascism's current connotation and the inherent difficulty in defining any singular fascist philosophy.
So to recap, here is my take of Facism.
1) The Nazi's put the Brown Shirts in the streets to destroy and intimidate. The progressive liberals are doing this now. Any conservative speaker is being shouted down and protested. No opinion other than the liberal progressive way is tolerated. We are not free to voice an opinion and allow due process of our economy take care of it. Opinions that don't meet the liberal mantra are shouted down. The new skinheads are the liberal progressive campus riots destroying property of others while enjoying anarchy.
2) The Nazi's promoted, many times by silence, the destruction of property and life to promote the nazi ideal. The leaders either promoted it outright or hide behind the silence of their position.
3) Being a proud countryman does not make me a Facist. An African American in that definition is a Facist for demanding the use of the African continent in how they are described. Pride in ownership. Pride in your country does not make you a Facist. It makes you a proud countryman.
4) Protecting the sovereignty of your country does not make you a Facist. If you tax your citizens, the leaderships first right of responsibility is protecting those who fund the system.
5) Calling a man who owns privately held businesses and publiclly held businesses and employs thousands, a Facist, is pretty stupid. Calling a man who desires less government control a Facist is pretty stupid.
There is a quote, that many contribute to Churchill, but it wasn't. He said that in the future, the facists will be the anti-facists. And sure enough, that is what is happening. The Facist movement is destroying business in the streets and attacking those with opposing viewpoints. The Facists hide behind the moniker of journalism to spread propoganda and lies to influence the populace.
Open to discussion. Bring it on. Will be happy to discuss with you.
