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. TOP
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.
**(Sound like any certain party and/or President and administration that we know? Hmm??)
-james
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An interesting note to end this article: As of January 2004, the United States fulfills all fourteen points of fascism and all seven warning signs are present. But we're not alone. Israel also fulfills all fourteen points and all seven warning signs as well.
11 comments:
And what difference would John kerry have brought?
His administration would have met the same criteria.
Interesting, isn't it, anonymous being a soothsayer. But more than that. S/he actually knows what Kerry would have done, had he been elected. Would anonymous like to help me out the next time I need to choose a stock?
Democrats don't go around with little flags in their lapels as a sign of their patriotism. They understand that people love their country by preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution, not by displaying cheap little symbols.
Every major Democrat I know enthusiastically supports human rights. Anonymous has already forgotton Abu Ghraib, and who its architects were: The Bush Administration
The Democrats are inclusive. You'll not see them rally thousands of people to keep individuals from marrying whom they chose. Those are Republican values. Hate. And more Hate. Especially against gays.
I could go on and on, but I do have a job.
It may make anonymous feel good to make her/his pronouncement without any supporting evidence, but it definitely shows her/his ignorance.
Very well said Isabella. I agree in the opinion that democrats tend to be more inclusive. Thank-you for your support and for visiting my blog. I hope to see more of your comments!!
A very interesting post. A very scary one, too. I don't think that many could describe modern day America much better than that.
The Shrub fits it so well. I wonder, did he study up on it? Or did it just come natural.
I've always wondered how he would fare for even one day, on a minimum wage salary, or if he were on the other side of himself ie: one of his own citizens.
It is almost not surprising that this is the case, as major corporations and industries have been trying to promote fascism in our country for nearly 100 years.
It is interesting to note that before Mussolini became one of the notorious Axis leaders, that his government was being applauded in the US.
In the 30s (at the height of Mussolini's popularity), General Smedley Butler brought to light an attempt by the fascist corporations in the US to take control of the government.
Speaking of Smedley Butler, if you haven't already, I recommend finding a copy of his "War is a Racket" book. It is one of the earliest writings about the Industrial-Military complex and while it is based off of information from World War I, a lot of the ideas contained in the book are still relevant today (if not moreso).
Joe M:
I have yet to read that book but I want to. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for the great comment.
The republicans are facists, that is obvious. Democrats have a good platform, but in actuallity are corrupt, spinless, greddy, and in practice are little better than Republicans. With the possible exception of Al Gore and Ralf Nader (and i don't he'll ever be elected) there are no political figures than would dare bring about true change, or else lose there funding and support from special intrest groups and lobbyists.
Marcus:
I couldn't agree more with what you're saying here. Although I tend to lean Democrat when I have no other choice, I prefer to remain independent.
I think Kucinich would fit that bill you were talking about but he of course has not much of a chance. Because, as you brought up, he's no the kind of person to take huge corporate money.
i dont know that fascism is the correct word for this. Somebody should also look towards ancient Rome, and the immense similarities in their politcal workings.
Anonymous:
I do think that we are in a form of "soft" or "traditional/basic" fascism. Mussolini himself (who invented fascism, in response to the Roman Empire style of rule as you mentioned) said that the basic meaning of fascism is the merging of corporations with the state.
That is what is going on today in America. Corporations are gaining more and more power in the government. That is definitely true. Whether it is the drug companies, the insurance companies, the banking industries, the oil and coal companies, etc. Corporate power is out of control and all but running our government.
The average man is enslaved more and more each year to corporate America.
Unfortunately American authorities show discrimination in many aspects. Winstrol
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