Fascism in America?
August 2nd 2007 16:18
Might America become a Fascist Country?
Too late, it already is. Wait, before you dismiss this as the ravings of a Bush hater, do you know what fascism really is? Probably one of the best set of definitions that everyone can understand comes from a paper written in 2004 by political scientist Dr Laurence Britt. His “14 points” give the lay person an easy understanding of what classic fascism is. Most people hear the word and automatically think of the Nazi regime and Adolph Hitler. While the Nazi’s were fascist, all fascists aren’t Nazis.
I challenge anyone to read the “14 points” written by Dr. Britt and not see the current American political, religious, and corporate climates. After each of Dr Britt’s points I will offer some observations.
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
---The silly slogans like “fight ‘em over there so we don’t have to fight ‘em here,” the hero worship attitude toward anyone in the military, the attacks on anyone who questions the occupation of Iraq, all current examples.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those who were being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
---Abu Gharib? Gitmo? Extraordinary rendition? Illegal wiretapping? Scrapping the Geneva Conventions? The “I can’t recall” testimony? More recently, the dehumanization of illegal immigrants.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
---Most recently, the scapegoating of Hillary Clinton because she had the audacity to ask the Pentagon about their exit strategy, the visceral attacks on brown-skinned immigrants, the incessant fear mongering, the hate against groups like the ACLU or anyone that doesn’t follow their twisted visions.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
---A discussion can’t even begin with the Bush supporters about ending the occupation of Iraq without those questioning the policies being labeled “unpatriotic,” the almost mythological heroism attached to anyone who is in the military, regardless of the circumstances of their service, the obscenely bloated military budgets.
5. Rampant sexism
Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
---The right side of Christianity has always been male-dominated with a subservient position for women, just as fundamentalist Islam is. The visceral hatred felt toward homosexuals has been useful, and is now being augmented with anti-immigrant slogans.
6. A controlled mass media
Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
---First the obvious – Fox News – has there ever been a more vocal mouthpiece for the right wing agenda? More subtly, there remains the fact that major media outlets are corporate owned, and operate in the interest of the corporations who own them. There is a natural tendency to avoid reporting news that would harm that self-interest.
7. Obsession with national security
Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
---We are told that national security is the reason behind keeping secrets, placing cronies and political operatives in high positions, lying to Congress and the public, ignoring basic Constitutional precepts, “needing” to torture, and why we must go outside of the rule of law. We have a president and a vice president who feel that laws are for commoners, not for them or their corporate and religious partners.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
---The melding of religion and government has been the primary focus of a good part of the evangelical community in America since Reagan. It has been very successful under the current president. Religious leaders have been very successful in getting their people into government. From the 150 graduates of Pat Robertson’s “law school” currently working in the Bush Administration to the school boards and courts of America, they have been on a mission to infiltrate and then control government. And a more recent phenomenon is the favoring of excess by the religious right. They proclaim that it is God’s will for them to take control of every segment of public life. And that it is also his will for some to be rich.
9. Power of corporations protected
Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.
---The power of the corporation has exceeded the power of the individual in America. Corporations are more protected from debt and liability, and taxed less. They are also given more sway in Washington. When Reagan took office, there were 500 registered lobbyists in Washington. Now, there are over 35,000. Incidentally, that number has more than doubled under the current Mr. Bush. Corporations call the shots when big legislation comes up, and they also keep legislation they don’t like from coming up at all.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
---Working class citizens are finding they have less economic security while also having more economic stress. The health care system is eating up more and more of their earnings, while providing them with less service. Diversion, that most favored tactic by fascist leaders, is being employed. We are tacitly led to believe that the pressure on the working classes isn’t coming from the government or corporations; it is the fault of the immigrant or the civil rights movement.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
---While the current generation of fascist-leaning leaders recognizes the value of mindless entertainment when it comes to distracting the masses, they also are seeking more and more to control the output. Especially when it comes to education. They don’t want good education for everyone. That’s why college costs are skyrocketing and public k-8 education is under attack. The elites want separate systems for them and theirs, and don’t want the rest of us to have education beyond what is needed for basic service jobs. Of course, they also want an educated upper middle class of technicians, engineers, doctors and lawyers. But they want it to be small and politically inline.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
---America incarcerates more of its population than any other country, and that trend will only continue as we add more “wars on.” The “war on drugs” hasn’t done anything to really restrict drugs, but it has greatly increased the prison population. This does two things. First, it provides more potential for prisoners to held. If America is to begin imprisoning political opponents, it needs a place to keep them. Secondly, it provides for a cheap labor pool. Expect internment of illegal aliens to expand, and for them to be used for labor.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
---The Katrina debacle, Halliburton and KBR, record oil company profits, Enron, The looming home mortgage collapse, the fact that one percent of America controls more than 15 percent of it’s wealth, the Attorney General being a lying stooge for Bush, and more. The investigations exposing Alberto Gonzales as a lie and fraud are just the tip of a very large iceberg. This is really the first line of investigation that Democrats took after winning majorities. It was expected to be one of the more minor. The stench of the Bush Administration will take years to wash clean from the halls of Washington.
14. Fraudulent elections
Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
---The last two elections have been manipulated by eliminating and/or intimidating voters, questionable counting methods, and all of the other methods described above.
What we have seen come to pass in America over the past six years is really an end to a process began decades ago. Many conservatives have been determined to undermine the success of F.D.R.’s New Deal, and have embraced fascist idealism to one degree or another. Going back even more, you find the ideals of the Robber Baron capitalists of the late 1800’s and on up to the Great Depression were very much in favor of what would later be dubbed fascism. From Henry Ford to Prescott Bush, American industrialists felt corporations and the profits derived from them should be the primary benefactor of government. Many were very sympathetic to the views of the WWII despots, especially Mussolini. Those who subscribe to this line of thought also have very little regard for the common person. They see most people as existing to keep the machine moving, and to keep consuming. They don’t want outright serfdom, just close. They still want people to have enough to buy things.
What they don’t seem to realize is that unrestrained profit machines always lead to economic disaster. The next Great Depression is being minted now. The “profit like there is no tomorrow” attitude is going to come home to roost, unless dramatic action is taken soon. When the economy does crash, the danger will increase. Religious zealots will be even more emboldened. Immigrants will become targets of blame.
They also want perpetual war. Not all-out, full commitment war. Just enough war to keep the profits coming, and the war machine whipped up. Just enough war to keep a region on edge enough so that multi-billion dollar arms deals stay the norm. There isn’t nearly as much money to be made from peace.
It is unfortunate, in a way, that what Hitler did so burned the word fascism into the minds of people that they fail to see it in front of them. Actually, the opposite might be true, it might, end the end, show us just how horrible fascism can become, and drive us away from it.
Too late, it already is. Wait, before you dismiss this as the ravings of a Bush hater, do you know what fascism really is? Probably one of the best set of definitions that everyone can understand comes from a paper written in 2004 by political scientist Dr Laurence Britt. His “14 points” give the lay person an easy understanding of what classic fascism is. Most people hear the word and automatically think of the Nazi regime and Adolph Hitler. While the Nazi’s were fascist, all fascists aren’t Nazis.
I challenge anyone to read the “14 points” written by Dr. Britt and not see the current American political, religious, and corporate climates. After each of Dr Britt’s points I will offer some observations.
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
---The silly slogans like “fight ‘em over there so we don’t have to fight ‘em here,” the hero worship attitude toward anyone in the military, the attacks on anyone who questions the occupation of Iraq, all current examples.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those who were being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
---Most recently, the scapegoating of Hillary Clinton because she had the audacity to ask the Pentagon about their exit strategy, the visceral attacks on brown-skinned immigrants, the incessant fear mongering, the hate against groups like the ACLU or anyone that doesn’t follow their twisted visions.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
---A discussion can’t even begin with the Bush supporters about ending the occupation of Iraq without those questioning the policies being labeled “unpatriotic,” the almost mythological heroism attached to anyone who is in the military, regardless of the circumstances of their service, the obscenely bloated military budgets.
5. Rampant sexism
Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
---The right side of Christianity has always been male-dominated with a subservient position for women, just as fundamentalist Islam is. The visceral hatred felt toward homosexuals has been useful, and is now being augmented with anti-immigrant slogans.
6. A controlled mass media
Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
---First the obvious – Fox News – has there ever been a more vocal mouthpiece for the right wing agenda? More subtly, there remains the fact that major media outlets are corporate owned, and operate in the interest of the corporations who own them. There is a natural tendency to avoid reporting news that would harm that self-interest.
7. Obsession with national security
Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
---We are told that national security is the reason behind keeping secrets, placing cronies and political operatives in high positions, lying to Congress and the public, ignoring basic Constitutional precepts, “needing” to torture, and why we must go outside of the rule of law. We have a president and a vice president who feel that laws are for commoners, not for them or their corporate and religious partners.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
---The melding of religion and government has been the primary focus of a good part of the evangelical community in America since Reagan. It has been very successful under the current president. Religious leaders have been very successful in getting their people into government. From the 150 graduates of Pat Robertson’s “law school” currently working in the Bush Administration to the school boards and courts of America, they have been on a mission to infiltrate and then control government. And a more recent phenomenon is the favoring of excess by the religious right. They proclaim that it is God’s will for them to take control of every segment of public life. And that it is also his will for some to be rich.
9. Power of corporations protected
Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.
---The power of the corporation has exceeded the power of the individual in America. Corporations are more protected from debt and liability, and taxed less. They are also given more sway in Washington. When Reagan took office, there were 500 registered lobbyists in Washington. Now, there are over 35,000. Incidentally, that number has more than doubled under the current Mr. Bush. Corporations call the shots when big legislation comes up, and they also keep legislation they don’t like from coming up at all.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
---Working class citizens are finding they have less economic security while also having more economic stress. The health care system is eating up more and more of their earnings, while providing them with less service. Diversion, that most favored tactic by fascist leaders, is being employed. We are tacitly led to believe that the pressure on the working classes isn’t coming from the government or corporations; it is the fault of the immigrant or the civil rights movement.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
---While the current generation of fascist-leaning leaders recognizes the value of mindless entertainment when it comes to distracting the masses, they also are seeking more and more to control the output. Especially when it comes to education. They don’t want good education for everyone. That’s why college costs are skyrocketing and public k-8 education is under attack. The elites want separate systems for them and theirs, and don’t want the rest of us to have education beyond what is needed for basic service jobs. Of course, they also want an educated upper middle class of technicians, engineers, doctors and lawyers. But they want it to be small and politically inline.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
---America incarcerates more of its population than any other country, and that trend will only continue as we add more “wars on.” The “war on drugs” hasn’t done anything to really restrict drugs, but it has greatly increased the prison population. This does two things. First, it provides more potential for prisoners to held. If America is to begin imprisoning political opponents, it needs a place to keep them. Secondly, it provides for a cheap labor pool. Expect internment of illegal aliens to expand, and for them to be used for labor.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
---The Katrina debacle, Halliburton and KBR, record oil company profits, Enron, The looming home mortgage collapse, the fact that one percent of America controls more than 15 percent of it’s wealth, the Attorney General being a lying stooge for Bush, and more. The investigations exposing Alberto Gonzales as a lie and fraud are just the tip of a very large iceberg. This is really the first line of investigation that Democrats took after winning majorities. It was expected to be one of the more minor. The stench of the Bush Administration will take years to wash clean from the halls of Washington.
14. Fraudulent elections
Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
---The last two elections have been manipulated by eliminating and/or intimidating voters, questionable counting methods, and all of the other methods described above.
What we have seen come to pass in America over the past six years is really an end to a process began decades ago. Many conservatives have been determined to undermine the success of F.D.R.’s New Deal, and have embraced fascist idealism to one degree or another. Going back even more, you find the ideals of the Robber Baron capitalists of the late 1800’s and on up to the Great Depression were very much in favor of what would later be dubbed fascism. From Henry Ford to Prescott Bush, American industrialists felt corporations and the profits derived from them should be the primary benefactor of government. Many were very sympathetic to the views of the WWII despots, especially Mussolini. Those who subscribe to this line of thought also have very little regard for the common person. They see most people as existing to keep the machine moving, and to keep consuming. They don’t want outright serfdom, just close. They still want people to have enough to buy things.
What they don’t seem to realize is that unrestrained profit machines always lead to economic disaster. The next Great Depression is being minted now. The “profit like there is no tomorrow” attitude is going to come home to roost, unless dramatic action is taken soon. When the economy does crash, the danger will increase. Religious zealots will be even more emboldened. Immigrants will become targets of blame.
They also want perpetual war. Not all-out, full commitment war. Just enough war to keep the profits coming, and the war machine whipped up. Just enough war to keep a region on edge enough so that multi-billion dollar arms deals stay the norm. There isn’t nearly as much money to be made from peace.
It is unfortunate, in a way, that what Hitler did so burned the word fascism into the minds of people that they fail to see it in front of them. Actually, the opposite might be true, it might, end the end, show us just how horrible fascism can become, and drive us away from it.
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