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crunchybiscuits
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Fascism in the Modern Age- Reply

Originally posted by msbowlesfan on December 03, 2024 16:13

Fascism manifests in a society due to certain circumstances like political chaos and a powerful leader who is able to manipulate that disorder. It develops because an enemy is established by the leaders and they use the threat of that enemy to make fascism more appealing. In the specific example of the Nazis in Germany, the process was more manipulative, Hitler wasn’t seen as a threat so he was able to incrementally gain power until he had full authoritative control. Diving more specifically into Hitler’s psyche, there was obviously resentment against other European powers from when he served in WWI and his hatred towards Jews. But when exploring potential reasons for his actions, Bob Altmeyer speculates that “a child imitates the attitudes and harsh disciplinary practices of his parents with his own children” (The Psychology of Fascism: Wilhelm Reich Et Al). Hitler did have a harsh childhood, with his mother dying and his father being abusive, and while that traumatic past can’t in any way justify his actions, it gives a deeper understanding for why he did them. Nowadays it would be more difficult to create a fascist society because of the negative connotations associated with the term, so more people would be aware of the signs and have a stronger reaction to it. It’s also more widely known and certain elements like propaganda wouldn’t work as well because most people have access to other sources of news and information due to the internet. The characteristics that must be present in a fascist society are an authoritarian right wing government and the establishment of an enemy. By using the threat of an enemy, a fascist regime is able to be established by giving more power to the authoritarian government to combat that enemy. Then the government uses their power to manipulate the population through propaganda and passing laws that strip them of their rights as humans, for example freedom of speech and press. With no one to speak up against the false media that they are presenting, most people will just conform to the majority or not express their real views out of fear of being isolated and punished. All other characteristics of fascist societies stem from these two principal elements. People initially found the nationalistic views of fascism very appealing. The Germans were economically destroyed and nationally shamed after the first war, so when Hitler emerged preaching that the German race was the most superior to all other European races, they were in full support. They wanted revenge against the European powers for blaming them for the first world war. While there aren’t really any nations that could be considered neo fascist, there are nations that demonstrate fascist tendencies such as a very right wing government, suppression of human rights, and authoritarian control. An example of this could be the United States, even though we are a democratic nation, the recent election shows a favoritism towards right wing policies and new laws that take away human rights, such as Roe vs. Wade.

Hello msbowlesfan! I just wanted to start by saying I really enjoyed reading your response, I thought it was very interesting to read your take on Facism, and I feel like we take very similar responses. I thought that your essay had very insightful analysis. More specifically, summarizing your main points, you argue that fascism often emerges in times of political chaos, where a manipulative leader can exploit disorder and establish an enemy to unify people under an authoritarian regime. I think within these points, you clearly explain the significance of this characteristic, emphasizing the fundamentals of facism. However, I also found it very interesting that you tied your argument specifically to Nazi Germany, namely the physiological analysis behind Hilter’s action as a dictator. I think tying in previous theories we learned in class, it backs up your argument in a very effective way. You mention that facism is less likely to happen in the near future, because society's shift in a greater consciousness idea that Facism is bad. However, you also mention that big powers have fascist tendencies, referencing the overturning of Roe V. Wade, which emphasizes that regulation. Overall, I think your response is well written, good job!

clock27
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism usually rises in a society during a time of uncertainty or fear. For example, during the Weimar Republic, there were so many different political parties, and they didn’t have one leader, so all people were divided. They wanted unity, comfort, and protection, which is why they were so quick and enthusiastic about electing Hitler as their ruler. While people may not agree with everything that comes with a fascist society, they tend to be so desperate for some sort of organization that they are willing to look past their personal beliefs for the benefits of having a “good leader.” For a society to be fascist, you need a dictator and people who are willing to conform to their rules. This usually goes hand in hand with some sort of fear factor. If people are scared to break the rules or be an outlier, they will obey either for their safety, or just because they don’t want to get involved in any troubles. Another common characteristic is having a common enemy, or a scapegoat, among a people. This is usually a minority group because they’re easy to target, and because the majority of people will agree out of pure hatred or even just ignorance. This unites people but also reinforces the power of the leader, because people will begin to have an us vs. them mentality, seeing themselves or their society as the superior one. Unity is necessary in a fascist society, however it is almost always rooted in hatred and a superiority complex. Fascist ideology is so appealing because it promotes a better future, usually through propaganda. An example of this is the idea of going back to a past life where things were successful, and claiming that they could be that again, if not better. Of course, people realize that their past was good, but because of propaganda and promotions, they don’t even consider the consequences that come with reinforcing the cultural and societal norms of a more traditional time. Instead, they’re only focused on the fear of what will happen to them if they don’t adopt a fascist ideology and adapt to a new way of living and thinking. In the article, “No, Trump Is Not a Fascist” by Rich Lowry, he responds to the idea of Trump being compared to Hitler. He says, “Trump says crude and unworthy things and behaved abysmally after the 2020 election, but the idea that he bears any meaningful resemblance to these cracked movements is a stupid smear.” Yes, Trump is not at the same level of fascism as Hitler and he hasn’t gone anywhere close to the extremes of the Holocaust, but comparing him to Hitler was already wrong. Just because they aren’t the same, doesn’t mean that Trump has no fascist ideals. Fascism cannot be defined by the Holocaust, because that is what it looks like at its most extreme. In doing so, it undermines the less visible and unclear signs of fascism, making it harder and harder to identify as time goes on. Fascism cannot be defined with one sentence, so it is important to be aware of how it happens, and what it looks like as it arises.


msbowlesfan
Boston, MA, US
Posts: 8

Originally posted by Introspection84 on December 04, 2024 13:22

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.

I fully agree with this person’s idea that the term fascist has become a buzz word that people tend to throw around when they want to evoke the negative emotions associated with it. I also agree with their claims that there must be a person being blamed and nationalistic pride in order to create a fascist society. I think that there are many different characteristics of fascist societies and you can really argue for any mixture of them. So when it comes to the question of which element is the most important, while it is an interesting question to see people’s opinions on the matter, I think it’s important to recognize that it’s really a combination of all these elements that led to a fascist regime. In this person’s third paragraph, they argue that extreme nationalism would be appealing to people in countries that justify the atrocious acts that they committed against other nations through propaganda. While in theory, this idea would be correct. However I think that in the current world, propaganda is virtually impossible to pull off. This is because most people are more aware of propaganda and also have more access to information from other sources outside of the controlled media from the government. Aside from this one point though, I mostly agreed with what this person is saying.

thesismachine
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Fascism in the Modern Age

Originally posted by lightbulb89 on December 03, 2024 20:17

Facism manifests itself into a society by manipulating political and social conditions. Facism usually is able to manipulate itself into a society by doing so during a time of instability and chaos. There are many reasons for why fascism is manifested into a society. For example, they often emerge due to responding to societal anxiety. They also arise due to offering “straightforward solutions to complex problems.”. The economic hardships are other reasons for the fascist ideology to manifest its way into a society. They seek leaders that have a fast recovery and stability to offer to the country. In order for a society to be considered fascist, there must be some characteristics like authoritarian leaderships, totalitarian control and militarism. Authoritarian regimes/leaderships are oftentimes what people think of when facism is brought up. There is a centralized power that is usually led by a single authoritative leader. This leader is shown as a savior of the nation. They build this character around the leader that often leads to the leaders being the embodiment of the nation’s identity and values. This leader’s directions are always put on top and done before anything else. Totalitarian control is when the political dissent happens to become suppressed. This leads to the elimination of political opposition. There are many parts of a fascist society that draw people in. For example, the promise of stability, sense of belonging, charismatic leadership, and solutions to problems. The promise of stability is often shown through hard times like an economic depression or chaos. Their promises make people believe that they will be able to stabilize their lives and gives them a sense of calming. The sense of belonging is a dangerous ideology and is usually most common. The fascist ideologies make this cultural unity in a sense, ultimately creating a mindset of “us. Vs. them” This narrative often comforts people who are feeling alienated by the community. Another common ideology that lures people into the fascist ideologies is a charismatic leader. This figure is usually decisive and is able to deliver solutions to complex problems fast, leading to many people liking them as leaders. Their personality is oftentimes very likable as well. They are usually pro-country and act as if they are for the people. Lastly, a leader’s reaction to complex problems throughout the country is a very important factor of fascist ideologies. A leader that is quick to respond to potential threatening problems is a good leader. I did some research on other countries that are sort of going through a “neo-fascist era” currently, and Austria was something that popped up. The Freedom Party of Austria had been founded by a former Nazi officer. This party is advocating for immigration policies and trying to reduce their aid to Ukraine. This is something that I consider a neo-fascist era. Another example of this is in Italy. Their party is called the Brothers of Italy Party and it is led by their prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. There were neo-fascist roots that won over 30% of the European Union assembly. This showed the future alliances what they needed to know.

Post your response here.

Hello, lightbulb89,


I agree that fascists exploit the country’s identity and anxiety, as well as use totalitarianism and militarism. However, I believe that nativism is also an important idea that helps bring people in. I also agree that a strong leader helps fascist movements grow, and I liked how you dug deep into the topic. I also agree that fascism manifests in a turbulent society. I see how you also applied the more broad psychological topics that we discussed before, such as the charismatic leader and the “us vs. them” rhetoric. Our posts are similar in that we both discussed how fascist movements and leaders promise stability in times of chaos to appeal to the people and gain their support. I also agree that there are rising fascist movements across Europe. These movements are too similar to historical fascist nations and thus set a dangerous precedent for the future. However, I believe that you could have talked more about how society is manipulated into following and accepting fascist beliefs, as well as the neo-fascist movements in Europe. I also suggest that you include more quotes from the provided sources. Overall, I enjoyed reading your post and I would love to read more!

SharkBait
Dorchester Center, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Originally posted by crunchybiscuits on December 01, 2024 12:34


Facism arises when societies experience a detrimental decline in social political quality. More specifically during the aftermath of intense crises, such as economic collapse, political instability, or social upheaval. Many times not, the root of facism manifests after democratic institutions are perceived as ineffective, weak, and unable to bring people back from challenging periods. With this, there is a great social divide that is caused by the fear mongering of fascist leaders. Authoritarian leaders exploit these fears and frustrations by promising to restore order, revive national pride, and eliminate perceived threats, whether external or internal. Facism is characterized by a centralized power, in which one party has divine rights over all other possibilities of a shift in the political. Militarism and the glorification of violence towards other social parties are often connected with this ideology, because the obsession of nationalism is more often than not the reason that many do not see the oppressive natures of their lifestyles. In this blindness, Fascist states implicate propaganda through speech, media, rhetoric, and education. Negative connotations of marginalized groups tend to become the driving force of continuity and cycles of reign over nations. However, it is commonly (and wrongfully) understood that certain people always tend to start fascist regimes. According to the Guardian, it states, “Populist parties, again using the definition proposed by Mudde, are defined as those that endorse the ideas that society is ultimately separated into two homogeneous and antagonistic groups, a ‘pure people’ v a ‘corrupt elite’”. This statement argues that, although there is no specific correlation between modern (contrasting) ideologies being more prone to fascist states, the continuity of all previously mentioned characteristics must be set in order to start the driving forces of an authoritarian state. What initially makes fascism appealing to many is its promise of stability and strength in times of chaos. The ideology often romanticizes a return to an imagined golden age and offers solutions to complex problems. By presenting a common enemy—whether ethnic minorities, political ideologies, or foreign influences—it fosters a sense of unity and purpose among its followers. However, this sense of openness also comes with the guarantee of exclusion, easily turning their promise into a great evil. In modern times, the fight to erase ideas of fascist ideologies is very high, there are been a great number of people who are in sympathy with those who have suffered throughout these regimes. However, these nations also suffer from the fear of facism coming back, especially because their governance is built on very similar structures to those in authoritarian systems. According to the Guardian, it states “To differing degrees, many are Eurosceptic, with beliefs ranging from “outright rejection of the entire project of European political and economic integration”, and of one’s country’s membership, to “contingent or qualified opposition”. Some, particularly in central and eastern Europe, are socially ultra-conservative, promoting the concepts of duty, patriotism and traditional values, family structures, gender roles and sexual relations.” Essentially, the article continues to emphasize the dangers of living in governing bodies that continue to perpetuate hateful rhetoric, in hopes that people feel comfortable criticizing their governments freely. It highlights that no nation is immune to communism, and it is in the best interest of the people to be able to reform to make the world a better place to heal from the fascist mindset.

Hi crunchybiscuits! I really enjoyed reading your response. I completely agree with your point about weak nations being the most susceptible to fascism. In terms of Weimar Germany, their democracy was failing and the societal structures were becoming increasingly unstable. In my response, I also brought up the fact that authoritarian leaders take advantage of these weaknesses by offering false promises to “fix” the nation’s ills. It’s a steep slope that many weaker or undeveloped nations are often unable to notice to escape, as fascist movements tend to prioritize a return to the “glorious past.” I thought it was really interesting that you brought up the tendency of modern societies to believe that they are immune to fascism. In my response, I focused on a similar topic, arguing that the ignorance towards modern fascism is what could lead to the further spiraling of harmful ideologies. Even if we cannot determine modern societies as truly fascist, I think people should be aware that fascist characteristics are present throughout the world. I’d be curious to know if you had explored the current fascist movements or signs in nations today? Your response, overall, was quite thoughtful and we explored many similar points. I really liked your continuous use of sources and I thought they were relevant to the topic. Your last point was really interesting and I completely agree with your idea that we should continue to reform and confront our societal and political ills in order to ensure that nations do not become more susceptible to corrupt rule.

Introspection84
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Peer Feedback: Fascism in the Modern Age

Originally posted by VelveteenRabbit on December 04, 2024 09:39

  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.

Hi VelveteenRabbit!

I love your response!


I think the point that fascist leaders themselves are also affected by the dismal conditions of societies susceptible to the ideology is really interesting because it can be so easily overlooked that the leaders are not unique masterminds but individuals who could have been replaced by others equally disillusioned by the context of their society. It makes me wonder if those who become fascist leaders and organizers are in fact more hurt and affected by triggers sparking fascism than their followers?

I also really like your analysis of bias and how we should value different sources because I ultimately think that no one account can be treated as an ultimate source of information due to inherent human bias. On your point about the line between bias and propaganda, I think almost anything could be defined as propaganda depending on how you look at it insofar as everything we see implicitly influences the way we think about the world and shapes our beliefs and actions.

The extension of these ideas into your argument about the National Review being right-leaning is very thought-provoking, and it definitely makes me wonder what rhetorical differences sources arguing Trump IS a fascist have. I also think it would be interesting to expand on how potential bias influenced the reasons given in the article for dismissing this label and how you would respond to them. Does Trump fulfill your three criteria for being a fascist, and what does that mean for the trajectory of the US?

JudasPriest
Dorchester Center, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Peer Feedback

Originally posted by bnw88 on December 03, 2024 22:05

Fascism is a complex political ideology and manifests in a society during economic or political hardships. Certain characteristics such as the presence of a charismatic leader, propaganda, and anti-intellectualism must exist for a society to become fascism. An example of this in world history was the rise of the Nazi regime after the Weimar Republic. Hitler was the charismatic leader that spoke to many of the grievances of the working class citizens of Germany during the time after World War I. Hitler, himself fought in the war and felt the shame of their loss. Using the financial and political chaos the country was experiencing, Hitler pushed himself to the forefront of the political and social stage and garnered many followers. He promised to bring Germany back to its glory days and became the charismatic leader of this fascist regime.

Tactics employed by the Nazis, such as propaganda and censorship, also aided in developing a fascist regime in Germany. Propaganda allows the authoritarian government to control the narrative that may ostracize or marginalize a certain group of people and reinforce loyalty among followers. This is representative of the “Us vs Them” theory and is exactly what happened to the Jewish population of Germany and the concentration camps. By creating a common enemy the Nazi regime enforced a strong sense of loyalty within the citizens and created an extremely nationalistic atmosphere.

Anti-intellectualism was another tactic consistently used during fascist regimes. Governments like the Nazis knew the power of knowledge and the danger that comes with having an open dialogue on politics and society that they did things specifically to prevent anymore conversation around these topics, like banning certain books from universities. Similarly to how propaganda worked by controlling the knowledge that the citizens were able to have access to and by eliminating the intellectuals of society that might question the regime the government was able to exert more control over the population.

Fascist ideology appeals to people initially because in times of crisis, instability, or overall decline it promises a better future and the restoration of a nation back to its prime. It addresses the issues of regular people in their daily lives and almost always has a strong leader to take charge and make rapid change. For people that feel disconnected or powerless, fascism allows for people to feel a sense of belonging and purpose through collective collaboration and mass movement, while also blaming a common enemy for issues that may exist during that time. There is a strong sense of discipline, nationalism that resonates with those who fear the loss of a dominant culture and significance.

We can see this charismatic leadership in modern politics, specifically with Donald Trump, “This has become Trump supposedly pledging to become a dictator beginning on Day One.” Although I believe it is aggressive to say that Trump is a fascist leader, I do believe that he does show some characteristics that are similar to one, like his ability to rally up his extremely loyal supporters. He has been able to build a large community to those that may feel like other political parties don’t give them a voice and has been known to spread misinformation surrounding certain issues. This doesn’t make him outright a fascist leader but it does show how he does exhibit similar behaviors.


I think that both of our responses are similar in various ways, especially about why exactly fascism appeals to people who live in a country in crisis, much like the Weimar Republic. We also both made reference to the in-group bias which the Nazis took advantage of in order to build a sense of cohesion among their citizens, and to marginalize the Jewish population. You also expanded upon a point that I made concerning the importance of a charismatic leader in a fascist society, leaders like Hitler, Mussolini, or Franco obviously played pivotal roles in the evolution of previously democratic countries into fascist ones, as they all essentially embodied the intense emotions which the population was feeling. A point where we differed was your mention of anti intellectualism, I think that the Nazi’s sense of anti intellectualism was a much more specific case, in which Jewish people, the group which they sought to ostracize more than any other, made up a large amount of the educated German population. A sense of anti intellectualism also existed in other fascist societies, but not to as great of an extent as there was within Nazi Germany, by creating this deficit of educated people within the country, the Nazis facilitated their own anti intellectualism.

abcd
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Originally posted by starfruit_24 on November 27, 2024 10:03

Facism rises in the wake of chaos. Throughout historical examples, the rise of facism has been gradual, oftentimes so subtle that people couldn’t recognize that anything was wrong, ultimately the movement was operating at full force. At first, facism can seem like an opportunity; a chance to restore order to a struggling society. While people value having freedom, if the cost of social freedoms is economic or political suffering, the value of this freedom is greatly minimized. “The left may promise protection, but the far right promises order adn control. It can’t necessarily deliver it – but it speaks more to people’s individual and cultural fears” (Henley). Facism promised something new, something that benefited the majority and identified a common scapegoat. Fascist regimes gave the average person a cause for their failing government, and a possible solution: cleansing society of all its ‘impurities.’ It allowed them to continue believing that they are inherently good and confirmed their biases that some minority group as inherently bad.This segues into what characteristics must be present in a fascist society, the most prominent being anti-intellectualism, ultra-nationalism, and glorification of the past/return to traditional values. Anti-intellectualism gives fascist regimes the power to leave the average person in the dark. Anti-intellectualism prevents ordinary people from truly understanding the nature of the society they are living in. Ultra-nationalism is simply a gateway within facism societies. As it generally encompasses xenophobia, and general fear of any minority group, it is instrumental to helping fascist regimes push their minority scapegoat of choice. Glorification of the past is the final piece to ensuring a common scapegoat is established. Go back a few hundred years, or even just a few decades in some cases and minority groups had much less rights and common people had much less involvement in politics. Currently, the United States, France and the Netherlands are nations with prominent neo-fascist movements. In the Netherlands, three nationalist parties have seen drastic rises in support in regional elections. While they don’t hold a majority in parliament, the parties have slowly been gaining support on the national level. The main goal of these parties is to combat the current government's environmental policies and highlight weaknesses in the current administration. The anti-environmentalism reflects a return to traditional values, and highlighting weaknesses within the current administration serves to stir up public discontent with the current government, a fundamental to the rise of fascist regimes. In France, the National Rally has the same goal of stirring discontent. The party has gained significant support recently gaining over 40% of votes in the last presidential election adn winning almost 10% of seats in parliament. It currently serves as the largest single opposition in france. Members currently strive to show discipline and responsibility as a way of covering up recent accusations of racism and xenophobia. The party serves as a threat to minority groups throughout France. In the United States, anti-intellectualism has been on the rise in recent years. Hundreds of books have been banned; conversations about race, gender, sexuality and the history of the nation have been censored in classrooms; while it may not be feasible, the incoming administration has talked of dismantling the department of education.Ultra-nationalist sentiments – encompassing xenophobia and racism of course – such as “America is for Americans” and a strong push to ‘protect’ the nation from immigrants has risen recently. In terms of glorifying the past, many groups have been pushing for a return to more traditional gender roles, and even after the most recent election, a series of text messages were sent out calling for a return to a society dependent on enslavement. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which protected abortion access on the federal level, many states across the nation have taken action to outlaw the practice. States have taken action to outlaw a medical procedure that can save lives. People are losing their lives, and medical professionals their jobs, out of a desire to exercise the basic right of choice. This is arguably a return to the past, a past before the passing of Roe v. Wade. The issue of abortion has also highlighted men’s (within government and even ordinary people) lack of knowledge of women’s bodies, general anatomy, and why abortions may be medically necessary. While this is partially a fault of their own for not educating themselves on the topic prior to forming opinions, it could also be tied to education systems failure to properly educate students in such an essential area.The incoming administration furthermore prides itself on the fact that his party is the party of Abraham Lincon. Despite the change in values over the last 150 years, she says that this party was once great and highly praised, and still should be despite polar opposite values. Finally, placing a value on youth has become highly prevalent recently. Conversations are often focused on ‘protecting the kids from indoctrination’ through banning books, restricting education about race/gender/sexuality/history, forcing teachers to report students' pronouns and sexuality to parents and administrators. By ‘protecting’ the kids, current government officials are also censoring their education and freedoms and raising a new generation to be loyal to their ideology. This is an eerily similar pattern to what has happened during the rise of other fascist regimes throughout history.

Hi starfruit_24,

This was a great response! I think it was smart that you said there are prominent neo-fascist movements in certain countries, instead of labeling the whole country as neo fascist. I also really appreciated how you listed the three factors you felt were most influential in fascism, and then when discussing aspects of America that are fascist, you gave examples of those three factors, as this really helped to tie the response together. I also wrote that ultranationalism was one of the most important factors for a fascist society. You said that ultranationalism is a gateway within fascist societies, I agree, and would also add that it is the backbone for all ideology- whether prideful or hateful. It is the driving force that unites people to have pride in their community and hate against a common enemy. You argue that in America, xenophobic and racist sentiments are ultranationalist, and combined with other factors, help make up the neo-fascist movement in the U.S. I agree that these sentiments are ultranationalist, and I also think that racism in the U.S. is derived from other sources, such as a history of colonialism and slavery, that, while horrible, are not inherently fascist. I completely agree that book banning is an example of anti intellectualism and that Reversing Roe v Wade has to do with going back to the past. Overall, your response made me consider fascism to be more prevalent in America and other current countries than I had previously considered.

VelveteenRabbit
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Originally posted by abcd on December 04, 2024 13:14

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.

Hi abcd!

I just read your post, and I thought it was very insightful and well written. Your post is very well structured all throughout, making for perspicuity. All while I was reading, it was very impressive and easy to follow, so well done. I also did appreciate your idioms like “with history in our back pocket” or “jumping the gun”! They were a nice touch. One of the only things I maybe would have expanded on is the traits of fascism, not because you argued ineffectively but because I would like to know your opinion on not which are most influential, but which are crucial to being a fascist society by definition and which are not (if any). I am also curious as to what you would consider the root of American issues (though that’s not really necessary to your argument; I just want to know). If America is not neo-fascist, what are we, and how do those issues play a role in that? I agreed with just about everything you wrote, and it was a nice reflection of themes that we have gone over in class. Overall, great job, and great citing and use of the sources!

-Velveteen Rabbit

haven3
Dorchester, MA, US
Posts: 8

Response to Fascism in the Modern Age

Originally posted by bear00 on December 04, 2024 17:40

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.

The author of this post has very similar ideas to mine, however, I think their most compelling idea is their thoughts on fascism in modern day societies. The author believes that these societies are not truly fascist but we must be wary of the increase of far-right movements and leaders with ideas and political personalities leaning towards fascist ideologies because we are on the tip of the iceberg. I agree with this point greatly, and furthermore believe if we say our society has absolutely no possibility of being fascist it can be incredibly dangerous and lead to the overlooking of when our pendulum swings towards the far-far-right. This student's understanding of the characteristics and scenarios in which fascism is appealing to a society are incredibly similar to mine, such as the times of crisis in multiple different parts of a society. Additionally I deeply enjoyed their point that “fascism offers simple answers to tough challenges” because frequently nations believe that a swift shift in politics will be the answer to their internal or external issues, when that is rarely the case. This quote also emphasizes the danger of fascism, and how many nations that lean on fascism in times of crisis do not fully understand the issues with fascism which can lead to drastic results.

ilovemydog34
Boston, Mass, US
Posts: 8

Originally posted by redboylife on December 04, 2024 03:41

Fascism has been known to manifest during periods of instability or crisis, in which discontents seek out an extreme in efforts to pull away from the system that they have grown to resent. This was evident during the growth of fascism in Weimar Germany, which saw Germans losing trust and faith in their democratic government, and experiencing economic hardships. Characteristics that must be present for a society to be considered fascist include ultra-nationalism, an authoritarian system, propaganda, and social hierarchy. Ultra-nationalism provided the stability and unity needed for the necessary support for a successful fascist movement, and it was later weaponized and tied to ideas of ethnic purity. An authoritarian system would involve a dictator, such that Hitler would become, taking full power over the country and doing away with democracy, eliminating German citizens’ place in politics. Propaganda is necessary for the manipulation of the general public, and would go along with the suppression or elimination of political opposition. Finally, likely the most critical, troublesome, and dangerous component of a fascist society, is the creation of a social hierarchy, which in Germany’s case would have racial connotations. A social hierarchy makes individuals nervous and frightened about losing their position, and it successfully pushes loyalty to the dominant group. Despite the danger of a hierarchy, as well as other characteristics, fascism was initially found appealing and was accepted widely in Germany. This can be attributed to the manipulation Germans were subjected to, their dissatisfaction with the state of their country, and their growing fear of other political ideologies, such as communism, all promoted support for fascism. Fascism seemed to provide clear answers to problems that Germans had been dealing with through scapegoating, offering targets for blame in the form of the Jewish people, among other minorities, and establishing a collective identity among the majority group. Leaders of fascist movements appeal to people who have lost confidence in their government, and wish for decisive leadership. The fascist movement of Germany promised recovery, not just in the form of economic recovery, but also in the return to Germany’s pre-WWI “golden age”. In terms of the role of fascism in modern day, neo-fascism refers to post-WWII movements that adopt the aforementioned characteristics and historical elements of fascism, while adapting to the current political context. There are no nations that are experiencing any explicitly fascist movement, but there are some similarities and shared characteristics that have been seen in fascist movements in history. In a New York Times article, regarding Trump’s recent presidential victory, and Europe’s interest in the return of a U.S. president who shares their right-wing views, there is a reference to Italy’s right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and how “her party traces its roots to postwar fascist groups”. This is a reference to the Brothers of Italy, a party that has neo-fascist roots. There is also a concern of autocratic governments and that when more countries are autocratic and repressive, nations become unstable, and violent extremists, who may be neo-fascists, have greater room to operate (Democracy in Crisis - Freedom House).

Hello redboylife! I agree with many of the interesting points you made here! In my response I also talked about how fascist societies come about when nations are in insatiable periods. Your connection to the Weimar Republic was good and provides a good example of a leader using a weak nation to its advantage. I think your most insightful point was when you listed what needed to be included in a society to be considered fascist because you hit all the major points! I also wrote about the importance of ultra-nationalism, an authoritarian system and propaganda. I think these are all key characteristics of fascist societies we have seen in the past. Ultra-nationalism helps create unity among the people, the authoritarian system singles out one leader whom the people praise and propaganda is extremely effective at spreading the message and fear of the fascist societies. Something I did not write about that is very interesting to me is the social hierarchy. This is such a critical part of fascist societies because it makes people fearful of losing their standing in current society. Fear is one of the most important things that fascist leaders use because it convinces people to follow them, in hopes that they will remain safe. I agree that there are some nations in modern society that are showing signs of becoming fascist because they share similar characteristics. Overall, your response was very insightful and we wrote about a lot of the same ideas!

starfruit_24
Boston, Massacusetts, US
Posts: 8

Originally posted by clock27 on December 05, 2024 19:10

Fascism usually rises in a society during a time of uncertainty or fear. For example, during the Weimar Republic, there were so many different political parties, and they didn’t have one leader, so all people were divided. They wanted unity, comfort, and protection, which is why they were so quick and enthusiastic about electing Hitler as their ruler. While people may not agree with everything that comes with a fascist society, they tend to be so desperate for some sort of organization that they are willing to look past their personal beliefs for the benefits of having a “good leader.” For a society to be fascist, you need a dictator and people who are willing to conform to their rules. This usually goes hand in hand with some sort of fear factor. If people are scared to break the rules or be an outlier, they will obey either for their safety, or just because they don’t want to get involved in any troubles. Another common characteristic is having a common enemy, or a scapegoat, among a people. This is usually a minority group because they’re easy to target, and because the majority of people will agree out of pure hatred or even just ignorance. This unites people but also reinforces the power of the leader, because people will begin to have an us vs. them mentality, seeing themselves or their society as the superior one. Unity is necessary in a fascist society, however it is almost always rooted in hatred and a superiority complex. Fascist ideology is so appealing because it promotes a better future, usually through propaganda. An example of this is the idea of going back to a past life where things were successful, and claiming that they could be that again, if not better. Of course, people realize that their past was good, but because of propaganda and promotions, they don’t even consider the consequences that come with reinforcing the cultural and societal norms of a more traditional time. Instead, they’re only focused on the fear of what will happen to them if they don’t adopt a fascist ideology and adapt to a new way of living and thinking. In the article, “No, Trump Is Not a Fascist” by Rich Lowry, he responds to the idea of Trump being compared to Hitler. He says, “Trump says crude and unworthy things and behaved abysmally after the 2020 election, but the idea that he bears any meaningful resemblance to these cracked movements is a stupid smear.” Yes, Trump is not at the same level of fascism as Hitler and he hasn’t gone anywhere close to the extremes of the Holocaust, but comparing him to Hitler was already wrong. Just because they aren’t the same, doesn’t mean that Trump has no fascist ideals. Fascism cannot be defined by the Holocaust, because that is what it looks like at its most extreme. In doing so, it undermines the less visible and unclear signs of fascism, making it harder and harder to identify as time goes on. Fascism cannot be defined with one sentence, so it is important to be aware of how it happens, and what it looks like as it arises.


Hi clock27,

I agree with the idea that facism is rooted in uncertainty. Oftentimes, people are unsure of the future of their nation and go searching for change, coming in the form of facism. However, I don’t agree with your later idea that people willingly resign their own beliefs as a trade off for having a ‘good leader.’ I think generally, people go along with the antics of fascist regimes due to charismatic leaders, social conformity theory and the consequences of being a conscientious objector. Charismatic leaders are often able to rile up support for an ideology without getting people who wholeheartedly believe in it. If the alternative a charismatic leader is pushing is better than the current situation, it makes sense that many would follow along. Furthermore, once a charismatic leader has convinced followers that they are the best option, those who are not yet convinced face the issue of standing out. If they remain true to their beliefs, they 1) have nobody to affirm their thoughts and opinions, and 2) may face social and political consequences. Building on this, I disagree with your idea that in order for a fascist society to work, people must be willing to conform. For any mass movement to go on, people simply have to fear the alternative to conformity, they don’t necessarily want to conform, but feel they have to. As for mechanics, I think your argument may have flowed better if you varied the sentence structure more. I also think it would have been interesting if you expanded your ideas on why Trump can’t be compared to Hitler. You started off stating an opinion, but didn’t fully explain why you hold that opinion. The last sentence you wrote is so powerful! Overall great job :)

mouse0
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 8

Fascism in the Modern Age Response

Originally posted by haven3 on December 03, 2024 13:33

Fascism grows because of two factors, the external circumstances, and the internal issues. For the first, things such as external threats or total war create an environment where the people and the government are susceptible to fascist ideologies. This side of the manifestation of fascism is incredibly dangerous because these situations can occur rapidly and since it has been many years since world war two where many nations were in total war mode, it is difficult to predict how countries will react in that situation and if they will turn towards fascism. On the other side, internal issues, such as political and economic instability, hatred, or unjust policies can lead to the rise of fascism and a power shift to fascist leaders. Frequently nations that have internal turmoil find dramatic shifts in politics appealing and can be persuaded to fascism or communism. When there are issues internally people desire something new and different to their current state, not even because they think it will work, solely because they want a change. Persuasive leaders can harness this state of chaos and guide the people either to safety or deeper into the chaos.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to draw the line between fascist characteristics being shown in societies and a fully fascist society but certain characteristics such as the harsh distinction of ingroups and outgroups and the total power of the leaders must be present to have a society be truly fascist. Hatred and fear are tools that fascist leaders use to keep control over their subjects. Creating various out groups unites the people of a society through hatred which makes it easier for the leaders to make sure they have all the power and that the subjects follow the leader. Similarly the idea of internal enemies, such as spies or enemies of the state, forces the subjects into a constant state of terror where no one will rebel for fear of being killed or sent away. Another characteristic of fascist societies that must be present for a society to be fascist is the total power of the leader. The leaders of fascist societies must have no one that they have to listen to before they make their decisions, they must have no other opposing political parties, and they must be able to do whatever they desire.

Certain parts of fascist ideology are appealing to both leaders and citizens such as nationalism and militarism. The principles of nationalism and militarism are not inherently bad, in fact many leaders try to push their society towards nationalism and militarism, having a nation of people that are proud of their country and are willing to die for it along with having a strong military that can both protect and prosper the nations are traits of a strong society. Additionally, as mentioned previously, in a time of chaos normal citizens desire stability and one leader that can make the decisions seems desirable for nations with insatiable political systems. However, these characteristics can turn bad rapidly and coupled with other characteristics of fascism can result in horrible endings.

I agree with the proposed factors that lead to the manifestation of fascism in society. With internal issues, people are often open to new change, which is what fascism presents first. They pair this change with the highlighting of issues within society, whether it is economic struggle and inequality or political corruption. They then use these ideas to push a solution, while also slowly introducing radical ideas that the people are more likely to accept because they desire that the problems plaguing society are solved. I also agreed with the distinctions fascists make between the “in groups” and “out groups”. Although this may seem to divide society, it makes the unification of the “in group” stronger, which gives more influence to Nazi leaders and deepens their control. It establishes “enemies” within society, which contributes to the growth of nationalism as there is a common “enemy” within society, which incites paranoia. I found this response interesting, however I feel as though some ideas and claims could be further elaborated upon, such as claiming fascist traits can “turn bad rapidly”. I do agree with this claim however, as with fascist control, radical ideals are introduced gradually to society, preventing an uprising or any opposition against fascist rule.

clock27
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Peer Feedback

Originally posted by ilovemydog34 on December 04, 2024 13:11

Facism starts to take place in a society when the society is struggling in some way. Fascists rulers know that a weak society is more likely to latch onto their ideologies than a society with high pride for themselves. Societies that turn fascists often display signs beforehand, such as lacking a strong ruler, weak government, people revolting, economic instability and so on but these characteristics only make it easier for the ruler to gain a following, in order to even begin to have followers there must be different criteria. Although these traits certainly make it easier for a fascist leader to take over, they also are what makes the fascist ideologies so appealing to people, people who are desperate for a sense of unity among their country. In order for a community to be fascist there must be a common hatred for a certain target and this has to be led by their leader. The leader has to spread their ideas through things like propaganda and gain a following who is extremely nationalist and has a strong hatred toward that same target as the leader. Propaganda is an extremely important part of a fascist society because it is what helps the leader gain such a following, Another part of the following is likely out of fear, the people might fear what will happen to them if they do not do what the mass is doing so they conform. In cases like Italy where Mousillini led a fascist society, when people voted they were to turn in a card that was either blank (anti-facist) or an Italian flag (fascist) to a table of fascists, this prompted everyone to vote for facism, showing how making people fearful works in a fascist society. In historical times when people think of past fascist societies, often Hitler comes to mind because of the tragic genocide that took place but when trying to think of a fascist leader in society today, there can be varied opinions. Some people think former President Donald Trump is a prime example of a fascist because of his cult like MAGA following and his continuous desire for more power. People also argue that he is a fascist because of the great divide he causes this country, people love him and people despise him, there is not often an inbetween, a quality which has been seen in fascist societies in the past. In Rich Lowry's article “No, Trump is Not a Fascist” he argues against people seeing Trump following in the fascist path, “Fascism is not an indigenous American phenomenon, whereas Trump, to use Milley’s phrase, is American to his core. For better or worse, he is a Jacksonian figure, with the same populist appeal, emphasis on strength, combativeness, opposition to the elite, insistence on loyalty, and willfulness.” Lowry argues that Trump is not showing fascist qualities, rather he just loves his country so deeply. On the other hand, his deep love for his country and his willingness to do anything for it is a stepping stone towards a fascist nation, especially when he comes into office again. Being aware of qualities that make fascist societies fascist is very important because they can serve as warning signs for people to not conform to the masses.

bear00
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Originally posted by haven3 on December 03, 2024 13:33

Fascism grows because of two factors, the external circumstances, and the internal issues. For the first, things such as external threats or total war create an environment where the people and the government are susceptible to fascist ideologies. This side of the manifestation of fascism is incredibly dangerous because these situations can occur rapidly and since it has been many years since world war two where many nations were in total war mode, it is difficult to predict how countries will react in that situation and if they will turn towards fascism. On the other side, internal issues, such as political and economic instability, hatred, or unjust policies can lead to the rise of fascism and a power shift to fascist leaders. Frequently nations that have internal turmoil find dramatic shifts in politics appealing and can be persuaded to fascism or communism. When there are issues internally people desire something new and different to their current state, not even because they think it will work, solely because they want a change. Persuasive leaders can harness this state of chaos and guide the people either to safety or deeper into the chaos.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to draw the line between fascist characteristics being shown in societies and a fully fascist society but certain characteristics such as the harsh distinction of ingroups and outgroups and the total power of the leaders must be present to have a society be truly fascist. Hatred and fear are tools that fascist leaders use to keep control over their subjects. Creating various out groups unites the people of a society through hatred which makes it easier for the leaders to make sure they have all the power and that the subjects follow the leader. Similarly the idea of internal enemies, such as spies or enemies of the state, forces the subjects into a constant state of terror where no one will rebel for fear of being killed or sent away. Another characteristic of fascist societies that must be present for a society to be fascist is the total power of the leader. The leaders of fascist societies must have no one that they have to listen to before they make their decisions, they must have no other opposing political parties, and they must be able to do whatever they desire.

Certain parts of fascist ideology are appealing to both leaders and citizens such as nationalism and militarism. The principles of nationalism and militarism are not inherently bad, in fact many leaders try to push their society towards nationalism and militarism, having a nation of people that are proud of their country and are willing to die for it along with having a strong military that can both protect and prosper the nations are traits of a strong society. Additionally, as mentioned previously, in a time of chaos normal citizens desire stability and one leader that can make the decisions seems desirable for nations with insatiable political systems. However, these characteristics can turn bad rapidly and coupled with other characteristics of fascism can result in horrible endings.

Great Work Haven3! I like how you explain that situations like war or threats from other countries can make people and governments more open to fascist ideas. I think the most compelling idea in your post is the idea that fascism often grows because of external threats and internal instability. I thought it was interesting how you also mentioned how political and economic problems at home can make people look for change, even if they don’t fully understand what that change might mean. I agree with this idea, History shows that both outside dangers and problems inside a country have led to fascism, like what happened in Italy and Germany in the 20th century. When people feel uncertain, they may be more willing to follow a leader who promises to fix things quickly. This idea is interesting because it shows how easily a country can fall into a fascist system when things are unstable. It also emphasizes the power of charismatic leaders, who can use the chaos caused by problems at home or from outside forces to take control. Your post is compelling because it warns us about how important it is to maintain political and economic stability to prevent fascism from becoming a major problem in our society. Great Job!

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