Common Points of Fascism. Seen these lately?

The following fourteen common points of fascism were derived from comparisons of the regimes of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Suharto, and Pinochet.

These points also highlight potential problems not only in the US but to an extent, Canada as well. The methods by which George Bush came to power, garnered support and his clinging to power has great similarities to methods used by fascists. Stephen Harper himself is guilty of a lot if not all of the following as well. An interesting book called American Fascists was recently released which examines the growing problem in the US with the Christian Right and fascism. Blogger The Sir Robert Bond Papers has a post on a story appearing in an American periodical about liberating Canada from the shackles of liberalism which is public enemy number one to these fascists. The view that Canada is something they need to control to ensure their own "destiny" is quite terrifying and not different than Hitler steamrolling into Germany's neighbours. The group of people tied to Harpers electoral success are the breathern of these same people musing on liberating Canada.

It is obvious to most that Stephen Harper is using George Bush's play book. Stephen Harper is not a leader. He's a follower and a puppet.

Take a look at the list and ask yourself where I have I seen or heard these things lately? It becomes pretty obvious that trouble is brewing and it’s not that far away.

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. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

6) Controlled Mass Media: Sometimes the 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. Deriding MSM is another method especially when it is portrayed as sympathetic to liberals, socialists, or intellectuals.

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) Labour Power is Suppressed: Because the organizing power of labour is the only real threat to a fascist government, labour 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 is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

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. Recommend this Post