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Fascism is able to manifest in societies that are significantly discontent with their current state and experiencing periods of instability as fascist ideology offers a sense of unity amongst broken nations. Those restricted in a weakened environment tend to lead to extremist ideologies, for they tend to offer temporary solutions and a sense of stability and order, despite it often being false hope. Fascist movements, along with their often charismatic leaders take advantage of national weakness through means of mass manipulation, encouragement, and extreme censorship. In reference to Hitler and the Nazi Party’s rise to power, they strategically planned their political movement due to the social and economic crises occurring in Germany at the time; the German people were uncertain of where their nation would be taken, so they were willing to obey authority that offered stability.

Despite the hope that these fascist movements may provoke, along with the sense of unity they may provide, they are nearly always doomed to fail, or at least spiral into a dangerous group mindset. Fascist movements may appear out of control, but it is important to note that to prevent them from growing out of control, we must identify the characteristics that make societies fascist. Some of these characteristics include authoritarianism, or the focus of one central authority; on the topic of the Holocaust, Hitler served as the central leader due to his charism amongst the German people and his manipulative manner of public speaking. Some other characteristics of fascist societies include ultranationalism, traditionalism, and militarism, which may seem patriotic to some level but when these aspects reach an extreme, they lead to the “othering” of minorities and the inflated superiority of those who are considered natives. One of the most significant characteristics of fascist societies include the deemed inferiority or oppression of minority groups, or those that appear different from the population believed to be superior. This mass mindset of “Us vs. Them” is a dangerous philosophical hole to fall into as it quickly spirals into mass oppression and in extreme cases, extermination. Kenneth Feigenbaum comments on the issues with the unification that is found through hatred in his article “The Psychology of Fascism:” “It degrades the roles of freedom and individual human rights and promotes national myths and legends. For a nation state what is considered to be blood is more important than citizenship. This leads to a general attitude against immigration.” In agreement with Feigenbaum’s point, this hatred and discrimination of groups deemed “other” extends much further than simply racism; those who experience oppression in fascist regimes are victims to extreme violence, and the restriction of basic human rights.

Many believe that fascism is strictly a past mistake or an old way of thinking, yet it can be argued that fascism or fascist ideologies still exists today in many nations, even in the United States. I believe that labeling the United States, specifically through Donald Trump’s Presidency may not be completely correct but it is important to recognize that President Trump and his influence on the United States reveals many characteristics of fascist rule. Many people tend to associate fascism with the past, and believe that it is linear, strictly resembling Hitler and the Holocaust, however, it is important to note that fascism is still a form of rule that we are susceptible to today. It is important to recognize that not all fascist movements are the same, so it is important to recognize the common characteristics in order to avoid further spiraling of dangerous movements.

1. Fascism manifests in a society because of underlying instability and social and political chaos appearing after a specific triggering event. Though this is a direct cause, fascism also lends itself to beliefs that have permeated the society for thousands of years. Instability in the people caused by the event or hardship above leads to feelings of fear, humiliation, depression, and anger, which can lead to desperation. This, when combined with a fascist leader... Whether these fascist leaders truly believe that they are helping the people or are just pushing lies for their end-all political agenda, no one knows, but the desperation that turned followers to fascism, of course, applies to the leaders of fascism itself, all of which manifests itself into one cruel cycle, with people being influenced and then influencing in turn. There can also be something incredibly isolating about a society in depression, with everyone starving. The hatred and mythic past gave the people a common goal, something to strive for. That is the attraction of fascism. It gives people, regardless of how terrible, a new goal and a new support system for it.
2. For a society to be considered fascist, it's an interesting question. Is it the extremity of fascist traits it presents, certain traits specifically, or just the numerousness of those traits? This is probably the hardest question to answer here, but in my opinion, a society is considered fascist if they 1) are actively suppressing rights 2) establish “othering” and scapegoating of a minority and 3) are using the mythic past and (usually) racial supremacy to help along this villainization of the other. Something that I feel is important to recognize is that although the opinions of the people in that society are, of course, important, we can and will never be able to rely on the words of the people for objective judgment on their society. Conversely, people outside of that system are often not familiar enough with inner workings to judge, leaving us in a situation where everyone has either bias or, very likely, a lack of understanding of the situation. It's a bit of a paradox in some ways, which is why it is so hard to determine fascism with no reliable sources and no specific definition. In the Trump article, for example, the first sentence given is, “Applying the F-word to Trump must be emotionally satisfying for the Left, whether it makes sense on the merits or politically…”. Whether or not you agree with the author's interpretation of Trump’s actions, very explicit bias is shown in just the first sentence, telling us the author’s political leanings and opinion on the opposing political party. This, ironically enough, is a part of the National Review, which, from my research, is very right-leaning, bringing up the question of at what point does bias become propaganda? Does intention matter, ultimately? I don’t know, but the saturation of politics in all media has left many Americans unable to differentiate between propaganda and reporting, just yet another mark of being a fascist society.

There are of course a variety of factors that may contribute to the development of a fascist dictatorship within a country, ranging from economic stability to the ideology of one person, to the politics of that country hundreds of years beforehand. To add onto this, there is no strict list of conditions that must be true in order for fascism to be possible in a society; the rise of a fascist power is always possible, and people often won’t realize that they live in a fascist society until it is too late. Fascism, as an ideology, manifests in societies through a combination of socio-political and economic conditions that breed discontent and a yearning for radical change. It emerges when a population feels disconnected from traditional democratic processes or is threatened by instability, whether economic, cultural, or national. In this context, fascist movements often promise strong leadership, national rejuvenation, and the restoration of social order.

For fascism to manifest, several key characteristics must be present. In terms of leadership, a single, persuasive leader often emerges to centralize authority and suppress forms of dissent. This leader portrays themselves as a savior of the nation, attempting to transcend political divisions and restore glory to their country, which they claim has been weakened. Also, there is a sense of extreme nationalism that seeks to glorify the citizens, which often includes the removal or elimination of minorities or perceived enemies both inside or outside the country. Fascism also often includes the militarization and industrialization of society, with the use of violence or intimidation becoming normalized, which leads to a positive opinion towards war across the nation. Other traits include the suppression of political opposition, the control and manipulation of media, as well as various others that promote such an authoritarian regime.

The appeal of fascist ideology is extremely complex, often stemming from some sort of crisis, be it economic depression, social upheaval, or perceived external threats. People find comfort in the certainty offered by fascist promises. Fascism takes advantage of the human desires for belonging and personal strength, it promises quick solutions to complex problems and offers a sense of national pride, promoting the concept of a “mythic past” that they can revert back to. In addition, fascism frequently blames specific groups for the nation's problems, this can be ethnic minorities, foreign powers, or political enemies, making use of an "us versus them" mentality in order to build a sense of unity among their citizens.

As for modern examples, there are several nations where elements of fascism are observable. In some countries, nationalist movements that combine authoritarian tendencies, militarism, and anti-immigrant opinions have gained traction. Newly elected leaders in these countries often show disregard for previous regulations, while centralizing their own power, echoing patterns seen in historic fascist regimes. Though it may not always be stated as fascist, the rise of populist movements that display these characteristics in parts of Europe, Latin America, and even the United States in recent years suggests that the ultimate danger of fascism is not as distant as many people hope. Whether or not this shows the beginning of a fully-fledged neo-fascist era is debatable, but the warning signs are certainly present.

Facism manifests best when a society is weak and looking for change, often economically, and therefore people’s hopes are more easily manipulated and taken advantage of. For example, Hitler was able to use the Germans' anger about losing World War I, the signing of a Versailles Treaty, and the dire economic state of Germany in order to make them ready for change and latch onto Nazi party ideology. However, obviously, not all weak or angry societies turn into fascist ones. There are certain factors and characteristics that make a society fascist – the most influential being ultranationalism and an obsession with enemies within and crimes against the nation. While nationalism is supposed to be unifying and carry the message that we are all from one nation, it becomes problematic when a nation believes that they are the best and therefore should target other nations and also citizens within their nation that do not meet a certain standard idea of the ‘typical’ or ‘superior’ citizen. Ultranationalism, “degrades the roles of freedom and individual human rights and promotes national myths and legends… [making] blood is more important than citizenship” (The Psychology of Facism). Another factor that makes for the rise of a successful fascist state is an obsession to find disloyal people in the nation, or “enemies from within” and weed them out. This makes it impossible to express one’s own view if it is different from the majority, because one could be accused of being an enemy, demonstrating how fear is a common way to root out resistance.

With the knowledge of history in our back pocket, it is easy to be in shock of people who become participants of fascist regimes, while overlooking the appeal that facism initially has/had to be people. In fact, the article “Does American Fascism Exist” claims that there were parts of fascism that appealed to people in the U.S. before it became associated with Hitler and the Nazis. One of these factors is the exhilaration of being part of a passionate group with a common cause. Additionally, an authoritarian government can initially appear as stronger and more capable than a democracy, before the leader inevitably abuses their power. A strong leader promising things that a population wants is appealing, and may blindsight a population to the moral flaws of the ideology they are subscribing to.

There certainly are traits of present day America that can be viewed as fascist (such as American exceptionalism and, many feel, certain powerful members of the government), however to say that America is in a neo-fascist era may be jumping the gun. The word facism is often thrown around to label things that people view as bad, without a true meaning or understanding attached to the word. There are a lot of serious problems with past and present day America, but that doesn’t mean America is fascist. The article “Does American Fascism Exist” quotes, “There are manifold homegrown American phenomena that shaped the past for the worse—genocidal racism, rapacious militarism, and a violent obsession with incarcerating minorities were not fascist inventions—and we hardly need to import a term with a foreign valence to explain (and thus implicitly detach ourselves from) that history.” Instead of calling all of its issues fascist, I think it is necessary for America to focus on the root of its problems.

Fascism is a political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, militarism, scapegoating, suppression of human rights, violence and desire for national ‘purification’, but it is also something that is incredibly difficult to define and identify in modern societies. I don’t believe that any society can be considered immune to fascist ideologies as any system, no matter how democratic, can eventually be altered significantly or even destroyed, but I do think that we should be careful in how the term “fascist” is used, as it has become a buzz word of sorts that equates any given subject with all the emotional and social baggage of the past.

In my opinion, in order for a society to be considered fascist it must have a scapegoat pinned by the regime and be intensely nationalistic, as this can easily lead to justifications for human rights violations, glorification of the leader, and acceptance of censorship on account of the belief that everything the state does must be inherently good. Additionally, I believe that violence and the push for military expansion of a nation is key to fascism as it opens the door to more radical authoritarian ideologies and enforcement of human rights suppression. It is also a symptom of intense nationalism itself as the push to expand a nation and impose its values on others is almost always grounded in the belief that the expanding nation is good or has an innate right to power. Fascist ideologies can be appealing as many people have some degree of patriotism and would be happy/comfortable to fall into increasingly nationalistic systems, especially if they are imposed incrementally to assuage any concern of a massive shift in national narratives. When we feel as though we are accepted and part of the “in” group, as those in the group painted as dominant by fascist leaders are likely to, we are more likely to sympathize with the agents that make us feel this way and work to maintain the given social order. Moreover, if the group that is chosen as a scapegoat is a true numerical minority, individuals are less likely to be personally connected to members of the group and there is likely to be a sizable majority of people who are incentivized by positive reinforcement to agree with the regime.

In our current world, extreme nationalism may be even more appealing given the incredible global polarization that could create an even stronger sense of comfort when a leader glorifies the nation a person belongs to. Nearly every country in the world has perpetrated atrocities against another, so subscribing to nationalist ideologies can be a powerful way to rectify our cognitive dissonance of belonging to a nation that committed a horrible act by using nationalist propaganda to justify the good of the state. I also think we live in a time of incredible progress, and there is a growing divide between those who support such changes and those who oppose them that is becoming increasingly radical as each side fears losing control and becomes increasingly convinced the other is synonymous with evil. The United States is certainly an example of this with the great divide between those who support Trump and those who oppose him, yet I do not think that we are entering a fascist era with the election of Trump. At least not yet. Rich Lowry writes in “No, Trump Is Not a Fascist” that recent accusations of Trump as a fascist were based on former members of his cabinet calling him fascist and argues that the left has twisted and over-interpreted his words to make him seem more fascist than he truly is. Although I do think there may be emotional satisfaction in calling Trump a fascist that may push people to do so more than his actual policies, I also believe that he does have some fascist tendencies and has run on unltra-nationalistic platforms. Project 2025 outlines many different ways in which the United States would suppress human rights, and there is certainly a segment of the population that glorifies Trump and venerates him as a leader. However, even though I think he can check almost all the boxes for being a fascist to some degree, I do not think that, as of right now, his election in and of itself means the United States will become a fascist nation in the near future.

Fascism often shows up during times of crisis such as; social, economic, and cultural problems. It attracts people because it offers simple answers to tough challenges. To understand why fascism appears in a society, we need to look at the different types of psychological, historical, and social reasons that help it grow, as well as the things that define a fascist state. It often appears in places where there is a lot of instability or unhappiness with the political system. When economies crash, societies fall apart, or people lose trust in their governments, radical groups can take advantage of people’s fear and anger. As described in The Psychology of Fascism, societies going through rapid changes or crises, like economic depression or the collapse of power, are more likely to turn to fascist ideas. In these times, fascist leaders/movements often make themselves seem like the saviors of national unity, stability, and pride.

A major factor in the rise of fascism is fear. Specifically fear of outsiders, such as immigrants or political enemies, and the feeling that traditional values are being taken away. Leaders use simple, emotional stories to put the blame on outsiders and unite people around nationalism. We can see this in modern far-right movements in Europe, Such as France and Hungary, who both use nationalism to bring people together against perceived threats, like immigration or the European Union.

The Psychology of Fascism points out the appeal of These leaders and their regimes. It tells a story of decline, blaming outsiders for the country’s problems, and promises to restore greatness through unity under a strong leader. For people who feel weak or left out, fascism gives them a sense of belonging and purpose, making them feel part of something bigger than just themselves.

Also, these ideologies gives people certainty in uncertain times. During economic trouble or political breakdowns, fascist movements promise order, security, and stability. By focusing on nationalism and blaming outsiders, they can bring people together around a shared cause, offering them a clear and strong identity. This explains why far-right populism is growing today, leaders often promise to protect the country, restore its strength, and push back against foreign influences.

In recent years, people have become more worried about the rise of neo-fascist movements, especially in Europe and the U.S. As discussed in Populist, Nativist, Neofascist? A lexicon of Europe’s far right? from The Guardian, most far-right movements in the society we know today may not fit all the traits of classic fascism, but they still share key features, like authoritarianism, extreme nationalism, and anti-immigrant views. In the U.S., far-right movements have gained strength, especially under Donald Trump. Although Trump’s movement is often called populist by some media instead of fascist, his policies often reflect authoritarian and anti-immigrant ideas. The January 6th Capitol riot from his first term in office raised worries about the potential for neo-fascism in the U.S., as extremist groups rallied around nationalist and anti-democratic ideas.

In conclusion, Fascism tends to appear in societies facing serious social, economic, and political problems, where fear, nationalism, and a desire for order are common. A society is considered fascist when it has a strong, authoritarian leader, suppresses outsiders' opinions, and revolves primarily around nationalism and militarism. It is extremely difficult to tell when a leader is being fascist because they are often very charismatic and easy to agree with. This is why societies must pay very close attention to how leaders act and how their policies possibly connect to fascist regimes.

Fascism has manifested itself in our global society in several different ways, and we have several examples throughout history that we refer to, mainly because they were the most prolific examples of how people can become consumed by an ideology that will eventually have drastic effects on the future social landscape. Even though we refer back to these examples of fascism as condemned historic attempts to divert from social progress and maintain a flawed sense of traditionalism and nationalistic pride for the goal of prioritizing the needs of the nation over the individual.

An absolute necessity for the manifestation of fascism is for a group of people, who will eventually fall under a fascist regime, to have strong negative feelings about their current government. The first example of this that comes to mind is the transition of power from the Weimar Republic to the Nazi Party in 1933, where the Nazis gained a slight majority in the Reichstag and Adolf Hitler was eventually named Chancellor. The Weimar years brought about much instability in Germany, with many facing economic instability and the nation facing political instability; many harbored negative feelings toward the government for surrendering and agreeing to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The Weimar Republic had no real strong, central leader, which is what made Hitler’s rise to power so appealing to the public; they finally had a person that supposedly had their interest in mind, leaving many with the idea that this was the only option for the betterment of German society. This would obviously not be the case, as exhibited by the atrocities of WWII, but citizens would have no hard evidence of this, due to the Nazi’s calculated and gradual way of carrying out policies.

Another fundamental aspect of fascism is the presence of an enemy or scapegoat. Marking a certain group with inferiority and making it a point to them is something that is very characteristic of a fascist society, often working in tandem with propaganda and a mythic past, other necessary attributes. Propaganda has the ability to send any message imaginable, and once a government has granted themselves the power of controlling the media, propaganda becomes essential in spreading ideology and information–true or false–to the public. A mythic past glorifies the history of the group that has been designated as “superior” to the enemy/scapegoat, reminding people of how great they used to be until the enemy came and stripped them of that greatness, or something along those lines. The point of this mythic past is to emphasize the past to convince people to revert back to those ways and have an adverse effect on the natural flow of social progress in its entirety.

We see some of these patterns present themselves in the modern-day United States, but in a manner that seems much more mild than 1930s European fascism. It is important to recognize that every nation is susceptible to fascist ideology, and thus, we can never write any nation off as being immune to fascism. A unique thing about fascism is that no one really knows it’s happening, or at least about the severity of what’s happening, until they’re in too deep or are experiencing the aftermath. Because of this, there should be some concern about the direction our nation’s government is heading, especially with some things that have been said by the president-elect. However, just because things have been said and we have given ourselves things to watch with a close eye doesn’t mean that America is (already) fascist. In an article titled, “Does American Fascism Exist?”, the author leaves readers with the sentiment that there is “no way to end the fascist debate. Agreement or consensus is unlikely to be reached. It’s time to let go.” This is something that is easier said than done, especially because the nation has a future to look forward to, and if we can recognize harmful patterns that resemble fascism, we should try to stop them. However, nothing is set in stone, and we can only reflect back on the examples that history has left.

Fascism is more than just a political label, it is a dangerous and complex ideology that emerges in times of crisis. Historically, fascism has thrived in societies facing political, economic, and social instability, where threats to national identity and unity are deeply felt. It preys on fear and frustration, offering a sense of purpose and a return to an idealized past. To fully understand its past influence and ongoing potential, we must examine the conditions that give rise to fascism, its psychological appeal, and its presence in modern movements.

At its core, fascism divides society into "us vs. them," often by portraying the nation as under attack from both internal and external enemies. These enemies—whether political opponents, minorities, or immigrants… are scapegoated for societal problems, fueling fear and resentment. In How Fascism Works, Jason Stanley explains that fascism thrives on fear, defining "national greatness by the purity of the people, the strength of the leader, and the ability to suppress opposition through violence and terror." This rhetoric unites people by creating a common enemy (similar to groupthink, brings people together because they have a similar stance) while justifying authoritarian measures.

Another defining feature of fascism is the rise of a charismatic leader, often framed as the sole savior of the nation. This leader promises to restore some sort of "greatness," dismantling democratic institutions and silencing dissent. Populist have a certian devilery that presents themselves as champions of "the people," even as they erode the systems meant to serve them. These leaders rely on the promise of quick, decisive action, which is extremely appealing to those disillusioned with democratic processes and seeking stability in chaotic times.

Fascism’s uses lies because of its ability to provide simple answers to complex problems. In times of economic or political upheaval, individuals often feel alienated and powerless. Fascism exploits these feelings, offering the comfort of a strong leader, a clear enemy to blame, and promises of revival. Stanley argues that fascism offers a "sense of purpose and belonging," giving people a role in a heroic struggle against perceived threats.

This ideology also taps into nostalgia, or a longing for an idealized past where life seemed better, simpler, and more secure. Fascists portray this past as a time of national pride and moral clarity, ignoring historical complexities. For individuals grappling with rapid social changes, this promise of a return to order is deeply comforting. Fascism appeals particularly to those who feel that traditional institutions have failed, presenting authoritarianism as the solution to society’s challenges.

While classical fascism peaked in the 20th century, its elements remain visible in contemporary politics. Across Europe, far-right populist parties blend nationalism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and disdain for liberal democracy. These movements thrive on fears of cultural erosion and economic displacement, framing immigrants and minorities as existential threats. As The Guardian notes in Populist, Nativist, Neofascist?, these parties use language and strategies reminiscent of early fascist movements.

In the United States, debates about fascism often focus on Donald Trump. While some argue that his actions do not fully align with fascist ideology, his divisive populism and authoritarian rhetoric draw clear parallels. Trump’s emphasis on "law and order," his vilification of political opponents, and his nostalgic slogan "Make America Great Again" mirror many well known fascist tactics. As The New Republic highlights, his rhetoric fosters division, chaos, and a distrust of democratic institutions, mirroring the populist tactics of historical fascist leaders.

Studying fascism isn’t just about understanding the past, it’s about recognizing its ongoing threat. Fascism flourishes in times of division, economic instability, and eroding trust in democracy. Its defining traits are nationalism, authoritarian leadership, scapegoating, and the suppression of dissent which all remain alarmingly relevant. As “Facing History and Ourselves” teaches, studying history is a responsibility we owe to the future. Fascism’s legacy reminds us of democracy’s fragility and the importance of safeguarding justice and freedom. The fight against fascism isn’t just about preserving political systems, it’s about protecting the soul of society.

Pinkpengin,

I agree fully with your first statement. Stability is what makes a state democratic and gives its inhabitants security. When a state faces trouble, fascism can easily rise out of fear and mass support. I want to address the specifics of the quote you used from Jason Stanley. He hypothesized that facism is a multitude of elements, and not just unrelated factors. Your response is similar to what I was thinking, that historically fascism uses each key characteristic to gain traction. These characteristics may not be harmful on their own, but together they can destroy a nation and millions of lives.

I didn’t explore the psychological aspect of fascism, and I think it is worth noting. You wrote about how people’s thinking can potentially affect their susceptibility to facism, and I think studying the past minds of fascists is a great way to understand why it happened. Without community, fascism is nothing. By having a common ideology among the masses lights a fire under fascism and can only be flued by reassuring these beliefs.

I will say that I agree with modern examples of fascism being hard to find, but there is definitely evidence of states using some fascist tactics to control their citizens and consolidate power. Even if it may cause the word to lose meaning, identifying the early stages of fascism before it arises is important.

Your response was well written and insightful, and overall I think you and I have similar opinions!