here’s the thing about fascism
it appeals largely to the middle class and to the wealthy, though many poor people can and do get swept up too. it appeals to people who are scared of the word socialism and who are feeling left out by whatever is happening in the current political game.
fascism comes to power by convincing people they need the government to protect them. from what or who varies to whatever is convenient. protection from immigrants, protection from other nations, protection from corruption. it convinces them that they matter, it convinces them that all the other options are scary, are failing. it convinces them that they are a target. it thrives on cultural pessimism, it validates concern that someone’s way of life is being threatened.
fascism is against democracy. it is against socialism. it is totalitarianism. it is control by one single party. it convinces you that democracy is failing, it offers you another way.
fascism is hypernationalism: my country and my (very specific kind of) people come first. it appeals to the hyper-patriotic. it uses propaganda to promote unity behind a single nation identity and discourages diversity. it convinces you that because other people aren’t part of your country or your ethnicity, they are worth less. they don’t matter. it promotes racial unity over class unity or equality.
fascism looks for scapegoats to blame economic problems on. in the 1920s and 30s, it blamed the jewish: antisemitism is a core facet of fascism and it’s very important to remember that. but the scapegoat can and has been shifted to various minorities and outsiders. it’s strict gender roles. it’s eugenics. it’s ostracization of the Other while propping up the Ideal. (straight, white.)
fascism is corporatism. it’s for profit. it’s war mongering. it glorifies war and sacrifice for a greater purpose. historically, it’s imperialistic. it turns you against the media, against the press, until the only news is the state run news.
the further a politician moves to the right, the closer they get to fascism.
fascism rarely comes to power through a majority. it relies on people who don’t care, don’t vote, it relies on a divided left. it paints the left as the bigger threat. at the same time, it keeps the message vague, so people can supply whatever they want to hear. it tailors the message to the crowd. it props up a leader, it centralizes power.
it subjugates everyone, the people who support it just get oppressed last. in the meantime, everyone else suffers.
origamiaround
jbbartram-illu
2087
dededos
germansingergirl
