learntoquestion ltq discussions

Originally posted by clock.on.the.wall on December 04, 2024 08:04

Fascism most often manifests in societies where people are scared and unstable. Fascist leaders take advantage of people’s insecurities & prey on their fears of what is unknown in the turbulent times to rise to power. They say they will work to improve people’s livelihoods and fix the society’s problems, but in reality, the only thing they care about is the power & control they have over people. Fascist ideology can be appealing at first because it promises stability and a chance to return to normalcy during an unstable period. The rhetoric fascist leaders use is often very convincing—they are confident and seem to know what they are talking about. When they promise a solution to people’s problems, people listen. Further, as Erich Fromm theorized, people have a “need for authority, which can be both personal (political leader) and super-personal (corporation, party, nation, state)” (Comparative Civilizations Review). According to this theory, people will follow a leader or support a state, even if the leader/state has done or plans to do obviously bad things, just because they need someone or something to follow. Fascist leaders are usually not very secretive in their aims—they usually say outright what they plan to do—but people follow them anyway. While it is true that some of the followers do actually believe in & support the things the leaders do, many of them are either misinformed about what is going on or just don't really care. Fromm also theorized that many people feel that “life is determined by forces outside of the individual’s control [which] leaves [them] with a sense of powerlessness.” If people think like this, they are much more likely to support a fascist leader. In their eyes, the fascist leader would be in power whether they fought against them or not, so what would even be the point of resisting? To them, they are powerless to stop it. While it is true that, a lot of the time, the actions of a fascist leader are out of the average person’s control, there are always things you can do to fight against fascism. You can always protest and, as long as democracy lasts, you can always vote against fascism.

While there are many aspects that can be used to identify fascism in societies, I don’t think that any specific one of them is necessary to consider a society fascist. This is especially because fascism is very malleable & it changes to fit the current society, so only being allowed to call something fascist under a specific set of terms is restricting and means that allows for the potential of fascist regimes not being recognized as such. Fascism today looks very different from its counterpart 100 years ago and will almost certainly look very different 100 years from now. While I don’t think the US as a whole is experiencing a neo-fascist era today, I would say that there are certainly groups & people in the US that are neo-fascist. I would consider Trump, for example, a fascist. Many of the things he has said & done very closely resemble the words & actions of past fascist leaders, like Hitler. He has done things that include (but are not limited to) calling immigrants “illegals,” “aliens,” “vermin,” & “filth,” expressing a want to remove “enemies within” with mass deportations, glorifying America's past by using “Make America Great Again” as his campaign slogan, 'joking' about how he will be a fascist leader on the first day of his second term in office (National Review), and saying that Hitler “did some good things.” Hitler used a lot of the exact same language that Trump is using today and pretty much everyone can agree that he was fascist and that what he did was terrible. Even if Trump is not a fascist and these parallels turn out to be a fluke, I would rather call him a fascist & be prepared for the possibility of having a fascist leader and then be proven wrong than to give him the benefit of the doubt & be taken by surprise by a fascist leader. Many Germans waited for Hitler to do something obviously wrong before calling him out, but with the slow increase in intensity of his actions, for many, that day never came. We should always be on the lookout for fascism and not be afraid to speak out—and be listened to—when we see something wrong.

Your post is very insightful and compelling and I completely agree with what you said. I like how you emphasized how fear and instability play a huge role in creating a base for fascist ideologies to flourish. The most compelling idea in your post is how fascism is malleable and can adapt to fit the specific context, time and place. I strongly agree with this idea because it highlights how subtle fascism can be due to the fact that there aren’t a set of specific characteristics. This perspective is really important to understanding how such an extreme ideology was able to influence such a large population. Fascism grows overtime and it can go unnoticed until it is too late. I also found your discussion of Erich Fromm’s theories very interesting. Specifically the idea that humans have a need for authority and that the sense of powerlessness is able to be used to grow support for authoritarian leaders. It is a good way to connect politics to the mental aspect of it. I think it is so important to understand human behaviour in connection to fascism because it is a hard concept for us to grasp since we haven’t experienced it first hand. Overall, I like how your post helped me think more critically of fascism and it caused me to think more deeply about our current politics. I agree that we should be watchful for possible signs of fascism.

Originally posted by human_rights on December 04, 2024 08:25

Facism manifests in society as a solution after a period of extreme chaos, becoming a swing in the completely opposite direction, to the point of extreme order at times limiting self-expression and certain human rights. It presents itself as a result of political, social, or economic turmoil causing civic unrest, offering control and stability to the majority population. It can be particularly appealing during times of hardship because it brings about a promise of betterment and improvement and a shift in responsibility for the troubles of the country onto a minority group. A charismatic leader with promise to restore the country to its former glory, highlighting the greatness and honorability of the past, is likely to garner more support after a time of difficulty when people wish to go back to the old ways. Furthermore, the shift of blame onto a minority gives people a cause to be angry with and a reason for the troubles of the nation, by giving them an enemy to unite against the leader blinds them to the actual power of the government and gains fervent support. It is generally thought that in order for a state to be fascist it needs a few key components such as ultra nationalism to the point of exclusionary beliefs, fanatical worship and support of a leader, an obsession with an enemy from within, creating an inherent distrust in those around you, anti-intellectualism, and more. Furthermore, the extreme exclusionary nationalism leads to anti-immigrant sentiments amongst people, often justified under the argument of religion or enlightenment ideals, not necessarily founded in truth. The combination of all of these factors leads to a society with an inherent paranoia of those surrounding you and a restrictive atmosphere that limits individualism. Recently trends are showing that many governments, especially in parts of the east, are skewing towards right-wing policies and politics, which can often be a precursor to facism due to their nationalistic or patriotic tendencies. Jon Henley, a European correspondent for The Guardian, describes the political climate in Europe and their lean towards the far right ideologies. “Some [countries], 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. Increasingly, many are also climate-sceptic, either rejecting the science of climate change entirely or resisting and seeking to delay efforts towards the green transition.” (Henley) The movement across Europe towards an “ultra conservative” government, while not inherently fascist, could easily descend into a fascist state due to the extreme exclusionary political policies and the removal of checks and balances such as France’s future disbandment of the parliament after a crushing loss to the prominent right wing party in the recent election. In addition to this, the rejection of climate change, a scientifically proven concept, is a clear example of anti-intellectual sentiments which could not only endanger scientific progression but also the entire state of the world with rapidly changing biomes and environments, affecting the global population. Overall, fascism has a global effect regardless of where it occurs, with no government immune to its ideas, and while the appeal can be understood the dangers outweigh any possible upsides.

The most compelling argument in human_right’s post was that fascism comes to rise only in times of desperation and in order for people to relieve themselves of their own fear, they often place the blame on other minority groups. I think they explained and articulated this idea very well and I definitely wrote about the shift in blame towards minority groups and how they are treated like the enemy in my post. I see some other posts such as littleprincess26’s share similarities with human_right’s in which fascist societies emerge from an instability in the nation and they drew parallels between that and how Germany was in an economic crisis post WW1. I agree with all of human_right’s points, nothing is inherently wrong and in fact I bought a lot of what they mentioned into my post such as a head figure and blaming a minority group being involved in the rise of a fascist society. In the first half of the post however, a lot of details on what makes a fascist society were mentioned, however it lacked substance and in depth explanations of these factors which I wish they could have expanded upon such as ultra nationalism and anti-intellectualism. The later half of their post was very intriguing to read and dived in depth into how fascist societies may be present today, such as France’s lack of checks and balances, which were really nice additions.

Originally posted by MakeArtNotWar on December 04, 2024 09:56

Looking at the horrors of the Holocaust and Nazi Germany, it is easy to distance oneself from the reality of fascist societies. As living survivors reach old age and the term is used by politicians to smear their rivals, fascism becomes a ghost story—something to be whispered around fires or to frighten children into behaving. Perhaps most destructively, it becomes a thing of the past, only defined when comparable to the specific behavior of the Nazis. Fascism becomes a convenience, to be identified and fought against only in times of war, when such a thing would prove advantageous to the noble democratic nations of the West. While we fought valiantly against Hitler, Mussolini, and Castro, it seems we let other fascist governments slip past. Protected by treaties and trade deals, fascist governments and ideologies fester in China, Afghanistan, Iran, and painfully many other countries, remaining unaddressed by the seemingly righteous and just eyes of the world powers.

The first issue many face is the shaky definition of what exactly fascism is. A common mistake is to mush together Nazism and fascism into one monstrous amalgamation of what-not-to-do’s, providing the benchmark for all other fascist societies. Fascism existed before it became associated with Hitler, and it will exist after, because fascism adapts to the culture it exists in. Nevertheless, it has some defining criteria: ultra-nationalism (to the point of violence and xenophobia), devotion to a single leader, movements of anti-intellectualism, propaganda and media control, return to traditional gender roles, and intense “us vs. them” mentality to any identified “enemy” (Stanley). To truly define fascism, we must recognize that it will change appearances to fit the needs and perspectives of its government, so no one fascist government will look exactly like the other.

As does many things, fascism feeds off fear, of a need for order. In the beginning, fascism is happy to provide this; with a centralized and efficient government and a newfound sense of national pride, citizens become hopeful for a better future. As time goes on, however, fascism will start to change. The key to establishing a fascist government is to convince everyone that it isn’t. The stigma around anything remotely fascist is too strong to allow its leaders to be associated with it in any way. There are many strategies to achieve this. Inching the policies along incrementally is especially effective, as it will establish a sense of suspense, and most importantly, inaction. Another method is to desensitize citizens and government officials alike. Creating a norm of outrage eliminates outrage altogether, and no one rises to put a stop to it. The desensitization of the word itself is especially handy. By reducing it to a “swear word” used only for “emotional satisfaction,” the identifier itself becomes ambiguous (National Review). The next step is to identify an enemy. For a fascist government, this could range anywhere from a demonized minority to simply everyone outside of the mother country. An enemy will unify and provide direction, an essential aspect of fascist governments. If carefully executed, the fascist government will be able to thrive, and its people will be either too ignorant or powerless to stop it.

The tragedy of defining fascism is that it requires removal. In retrospect or distance, one can objectively analyze the facts and come to a conclusion, but in the midst of it, it is far more difficult. This is the power of fascism. How can you put a stop to something you can’t even name?

This post did a really good job of identifying why today so many people struggle to define fascism and call out nations, ideologies, and movements for their fascist tendencies. Many people today are scared to call things fascist due to a lack of understanding what really defines fascism and a lot of governments refuse to acknowledge fascism to avoid conflict with other nations. I also think that this person's point about how fascism can adapt to specific societies is very interesting. It's true that fascism doesn’t only look like one thing but rather morphs itself to appeal to different populations, which is also a reason as to why fascism will never, and cannot ever, truly die. We can see this happening today as many countries with fascist tendencies and many fascist movements are very different from the fascist movements of the early twentieth century. I agree that it's a mistake to only correlate fascism with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy since as fascism grows and evolves so too should our definition of fascism—even though a country or movement isn’t fascist in the same way that the Nazis were doesn’t mean they aren’t still fascist.

Originally posted by projectvictory on December 05, 2024 21:48

Fascism, as described by The New Republic in “Does American Fascism Exist”, is “a coercive capitalistic state”. Many fascist ideals are conservative and negativistic in nature, and tend to feed off fear, negativism, and authoritarianism. To form a fascist society, one must have a common ideal, or more so a common enemy. One builds off this enemy to the point of almost no return, and fails to understand where moral lines have been crossed. In “No Time to Think” from Facing History and Ourselves, Milton Mayer, an American Journalist, describes that underneath fascism there are “hundreds of little steps, some of them imperceptible” and that these steps may slowly prepare one “to not be shocked by the next”. People who belong to fascist ideals and are conscious to fascism understand the fear and hate that they spread in the world, and would much rather be feared than have nothing to believe in. Many fascists are people with originally lower self-esteem, who use a higher leader and narcissistic character to align themselves and create a stable belief system.

The reason people began to find fascism so appealing, is because fascism is inherently pervasive. It can creep it’s way into society, like in German antisemetic propaganda, and it can subconsciously convince and sway people into extreme nationalistic beliefs, like the Young Turks during the early stages of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. A vast majority of people find themselves drawn to nationalism and could describe themselves as nationalists. So when fascist groups brand themselves as extremely nationalistic, people can tend to align with these views without understanding the ongoing oppression of minority groups. Even when people begin to understand how they are extending harm and aggression to said minority groups, it has become so subconscious and second-nature that one truly begins to believe that there is a common enemy, and that this common enemy represents worse for mankind than their hatred. Ideologies like cognitive dissonance make fascism so much easier to swallow, where one’s guilt can be replaced with warped and villainized ideas of other groups, raising their own self-esteem.

In the current day, the meaning of fascism or neo-fascism remains blurry. We may relate it with negativity, but that’s not all it entails, and it is hard to decipher if current nations can or are experiencing modern day fascism. In my opinion, while not as widespread as the Nazi regime, Turkey finds itself in a neo-fascist era as it continues to deny the legitimacy and actuality of the Armenian Genocide. The denial of the Armenian genocide not only attempts to rewrite a history of suffering and oppression, which reflects broader themes of authoritarianism and nationalism that directly relate to fascism. By instilling in not only Turkish citizens but in the world that the massacres of over 1.5 million Armenians was not a genocide, Turkey aligns itself as an overly-nationalistic society that wants to control the past in order to strengthen the image of the country and the hold it’s government has over the control of it’s citizens. And through controlling all media that enters Turkey and is spread in the country, they force Turkish citizens to obey and devote themselves to their beliefs, and in turn create a common enemy in those who credit the Armenian Genocide. Such a society relates strikingly to many neo-fascist ideals, like exclusionary nationalism, patrolled media coverage and propaganda.

Hi! This was concise and convincing. I agree with your point about how fascism is so pervasive and that small, imperceptible steps lead to desensitization and the normalization of fascism. I also wrote about how fascism relies on one's low self concept and targets extremely insecure people by fueling their narcissistic image. I liked your point about how fascism uses nationalism to cast a wider net over its people, because many people identify as nationalist regardless of if they agree with their fascist leader's actions. According to your definition of a fascist society, I would argue that any societies today are under fascist regimes or at least in a society with fascist characteristics. Turkey is one of them, and with the little research I've done it seems that several ethnic minority groups are persecuted within Turkey, especially Kurds, Armenians, Arabs, Greeks, and Jewish people. If you also include exclusionary nationalism, patrolled media coverage and propaganda, even more groups could be considered to have fascist characteristics. Overall, it seems that fascism is on the rise around the world, especially in Europe and even here. I enjoyed your response, it was comprehensive and direct, and made me think about different aspects of fascism that I hadn't explored in my own response.

Originally posted by Gatsby on December 03, 2024 20:14

Fascism has no singular form and transforms based on the society that it manifests in. According to an article, “Does American Fascism Exist”, Fascism “functions as a so-called floating-signifier” meaning that it holds different definitions to different groups of people. The slippery nature of Fascism allows it to take hold in societies stirred up by political unrest. Fascist societies all share similar characteristics but differ in their principals. A Fascist society must contain a strong and influential— perhaps even cult-like — leader, propaganda and control of media, extreme nationalism, militarism, oppression of a targeted minority group, violence, and anti-intellectualism. Some of these characteristics are also commonly found in non-Fascist societies too. Fascism is appealing to ordinary people because of its nature to work to an individual or group’s advantage. Fascist ideology allows for justification of personal beliefs to become political ideology. Take for example the antisemitism during the Germany’s Weimar period and into World War II; this originated from the personal hatred and accusations of Jewish conspiracies which grew after the the end of World War I. The growth of such strong hatred generated the Fascist movement that took over Germany and much of Eastern Europe that worked to promote their previously held biases against Jewish people. This dangerous trust and faith in a movement that promotes hate of another group is appealing for ordinary people who hold grudges or deep biases. Many claim that the United States is currently experiencing Fascism and the recent re-election of President Donald Trump in the 2024 election signifies to many the growth of a Fascist movement in the U.S.. However, the United States has yet to fall into a full Fascist movement because it currently lacks many of the characteristics of a Fascist society. For one there is a lack of dictatorship and tyranny present in the current political structure. However this could change with the new year and the appointment of Donald Trump as the president for the new term combined with the majority Republican House of Representatives and the Senate. This startling imbalance of political views in the United States government indicates the possibility for a growth of dictatorship. Moreover, there’s the possibility of censorship, with the constant justification by politicians of the dangers of social media. While the United States does not appear to be a Fascist society, it is about to be headed by a Fascist leader. This again makes it more probable that Fascism could grow. Another country that may be currently experiencing neo-Fascism is Russia. While Russia is largely known as a Communist country, it actually contains many characteristics of Fascism. This includes dictatorship under Vladimir Putin and the biased propaganda fed to Russian citizens which glorifies the Russian war against Ukraine as righteous and just. Additionally, the intense censorship within Russia keeps Putin in power and prevents political uprisings by creating loyalist from adoring citizens. Russia is also known for its strong military and possession and development of nuclear weapons. There’s also a strong sense of patriotism that ebbs into nationalism which is amplified by propaganda and has led to the worship of Putin as a noble leader rather than a dictator. These characteristics make Russia seem like a neo-Fascist state, however it does lack the extreme violence characterized in Fascist state.

Your comparison of the modern United States political climate to fascism is very thorough. Arguing not its similarity or difference to "fascism," but the specific elements of fascism avoids any desensitization of the world and eliminates bias. I also appreciate your acknowledgement that fascist societies can differ in principles, but contain the same characteristics. An argument against the accusation of Trump's fascist tendencies is that he has a great relationship with the state of Israel, making him different from Hitler and therefore not fascist, but I agree with your argument that antisemitism isn't a requirement of fascism. It is true, fascism is "a so-called floating signifier," making it hard to clearly define as it adapts to each new government it exists within. To your argument, fascism can exist both in democratic nations, such as the U.S., and communist nations, such as Russia. This is troubling, as both democracy and communism have historically been radically against the idea of fascism. Is it possible for these systems to coexist? If they are distinct, how can they share many aspects with fascism and still remain their own system? With these ambiguities, is it possible to recognize and identify fascism while we are within its development, or can we only do so in retrospect? Many people have a "wait for it" attitude with Trump: is this reasonable or dangerous?

Originally posted by human_rights on December 04, 2024 08:25

Facism manifests in society as a solution after a period of extreme chaos, becoming a swing in the completely opposite direction, to the point of extreme order at times limiting self-expression and certain human rights. It presents itself as a result of political, social, or economic turmoil causing civic unrest, offering control and stability to the majority population. It can be particularly appealing during times of hardship because it brings about a promise of betterment and improvement and a shift in responsibility for the troubles of the country onto a minority group. A charismatic leader with promise to restore the country to its former glory, highlighting the greatness and honorability of the past, is likely to garner more support after a time of difficulty when people wish to go back to the old ways. Furthermore, the shift of blame onto a minority gives people a cause to be angry with and a reason for the troubles of the nation, by giving them an enemy to unite against the leader blinds them to the actual power of the government and gains fervent support. It is generally thought that in order for a state to be fascist it needs a few key components such as ultra nationalism to the point of exclusionary beliefs, fanatical worship and support of a leader, an obsession with an enemy from within, creating an inherent distrust in those around you, anti-intellectualism, and more. Furthermore, the extreme exclusionary nationalism leads to anti-immigrant sentiments amongst people, often justified under the argument of religion or enlightenment ideals, not necessarily founded in truth. The combination of all of these factors leads to a society with an inherent paranoia of those surrounding you and a restrictive atmosphere that limits individualism. Recently trends are showing that many governments, especially in parts of the east, are skewing towards right-wing policies and politics, which can often be a precursor to facism due to their nationalistic or patriotic tendencies. Jon Henley, a European correspondent for The Guardian, describes the political climate in Europe and their lean towards the far right ideologies. “Some [countries], 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. Increasingly, many are also climate-sceptic, either rejecting the science of climate change entirely or resisting and seeking to delay efforts towards the green transition.” (Henley) The movement across Europe towards an “ultra conservative” government, while not inherently fascist, could easily descend into a fascist state due to the extreme exclusionary political policies and the removal of checks and balances such as France’s future disbandment of the parliament after a crushing loss to the prominent right wing party in the recent election. In addition to this, the rejection of climate change, a scientifically proven concept, is a clear example of anti-intellectual sentiments which could not only endanger scientific progression but also the entire state of the world with rapidly changing biomes and environments, affecting the global population. Overall, fascism has a global effect regardless of where it occurs, with no government immune to its ideas, and while the appeal can be understood the dangers outweigh any possible upsides.

Great response, Human_rights! I agree right off the bat, the reason why fascism may be so appealing and may persuade people so heavily is because it speaks to fixing and mending all of the problems of the majority. However, people fail to realize that this comes with the reality of systemically oppressing the minority (in the case of what we have been learning, Jewish people). I especially agree with how you dive into what a charismatic leader can do for a movement, and it reminds me of how Ms. Bowles said "A movement can exist without a God, but it cannot exist without a Devil." A charismatic leader, like you said, promises progression and a return to tranquility and stability. Because the majority does not know otherwise, they follow these ideals blindly, looking for somewhere to align themselves with.

You bring up a really interesting point on the paranoia that comes with fascism and being in a fascist society, and I completely agree. When a fascist regime spends so much time creating and building upon a common enemy, there now becomes a lack of individualism and a hightened sense of tension and agression for that common enemy. I think it is insane how the human brain is almost always wired in a us-vs-them mob mentality, and that the Holocaust was what it took for us to realize the faults in fascism and hyper-nationalism. Overall, I enjoyed reading your post, and agree with your points! Great job.

Originally posted by aldoushuxley on December 03, 2024 11:01

Fascism manifests in societies during times of crisis or instability, offering a sense of power and control to those feeling powerless or marginalized. Fascist regimes are characterized by extreme nationalism, unwavering support for a strong central leader, and an obsession with reclaiming a glorified past. These societies often glorify traditional gender roles, militarism, and ethnic identity while suppressing dissent through propaganda, media control, and the identification of scapegoats. Fascism appeals to people initially because it promises order, unity, and superiority, often by creating a hierarchy that elevates certain groups over others. Historical fascist societies emphasize territorial expansion, anti-intellectualism, and the supremacy of the military, often coupled with violence, terror, and a disregard for human rights. Some Historians believed that fascism could be combated with rational thought, “The authors of The Authoritarian Personality, both Adorno and Horkheimer, believed that fascist ideology could be countered by rational thought.” (The Psychology of Fascism) While rationality and Fascism rarely go hand in hand, it's extremely difficult to fight fascism with logic when intellect and freewill are targeted. While many fascist regimes emerged from democracies, this structure alone does not safeguard a nation from authoritarianism. Today, some nations exhibit Neo-fascist tendencies, such as ultra nationalism, leader worship, media manipulation, and hostility toward minorities, reflecting the enduring appeal and dangers of fascist ideology. Historical fascism would never be easily accepted in today's society, so it takes on a more sophisticated ideology. The United States, while a democracy, has exhibited some characteristics that align with elements of fascism at various points in its history. Elements such as intense partisanship, propaganda, and targeted discrimination have raised concerns about creeping authoritarianism. It could be argued that the U.S. remains distinct from fascist regimes due to its checks and balances, civil liberties, and the pluralism inherent in its democratic system, but the US has also set up a system where one group is able to control all branches due to the minority rules system. Since one branch of the US government is led by a single individual, the process of electing this leader can be perceived as imbalanced. A presidential candidate doesn’t need to secure a majority to win a nomination; they only need to outpace their closest competitor. This means a candidate could win with support from less than half of their party, creating a system that potentially allows for leadership that lacks broad consensus even within their own political base. Fascism thrives in environments where democratic structures are weakened or manipulated to concentrate power in a single individual. The U.S. system, which allows for a president to ascend to power with a minority of support during the nomination phase, and sometimes even during the general election via the Electoral College, creates a scenario where a leader with authoritarian tendencies could bypass the need for widespread approval. This could lead to the erosion of checks and balances, as such a leader might feel emboldened to govern unilaterally, prioritizing their loyal base over the will of the majority.

I found your idea that the United States could be susceptible to a fascist leader, with the checks and balances being flawed, very interesting. I would also have to agree with you, my post also highlights this idea, I think a noteworthy addition to this idea is the fact that In our capitalist society, our leaders can bribe influential figures, such as Elon Musk to support them with government positions, reinforces your point further. While it is very difficult to stop corruption, it is incredibly frightening when the corruption, has fascist characteristics. Now, the entire system of checks and balances has been corrupted to favor one side, meaning that they are allowed to pass or ban almost every policy. We know it is possible to bypass the checks and balances system, because it has already happened. Your point about combating fascism with logic is interesting, but I disagree. While educating people about the dangers and warning signs of fascism is very helpful, I think even educated people can be influenced, as it is exploits human nature. I agree with the point that people are less likely to be influenced when they know of the dangers, however ignorance, corruption, or simply agreeing with the ideas of a fascist society, as weird as that may seem. I don't think its possible to eliminate fascism, simply due to human nature some people just wont agree with you, but it can be restrained.

Originally posted by JaneDoe25 on December 04, 2024 08:23

Fascism manifests in a society where people do not have a strong sense of self or values. When authoritarian leaders take over and change the world so drastically, some people will speak up, while others won't. Fascism takes hold in societies like this, as the majority of citizens will blindly follow the rules of the regime. After a scramble for power or a time of political chaos, people look to someone who will "save" their nation. When a charismatic leader emerges, masses are much more likely to follow them, as they are looking to anyone with strong ideas. It is much more appealing to not think or deal with difficult questions. Society is extremely complicated and many mistakes are constantly made when running a country. When a trusted leader begins to take more control, citizens let them take the reins and sit back while decisions are made. After a while, the leader's word becomes law and it is the norm to have them dictate everything.

Ultranationalism must be present in a fascist society. Citizens become insanely obsessed with their nation and are willing to do anything for it. They must also worship their leader, doing whatever they say, following their agenda, and trusting them blindly. For fascism to work, there must be a common enemy. Different people are seen as sabotaging the great nation, uniting people against a common enemy, a minority group who typically isn't a genuine threat. The government and media must control what the public sees, spreading propaganda and pushing a fascist regime. Obsession with enemies is the most dangerous to ordinary people, as it insinuates violence and terror. People who are the minority will be targeted and possibly harmed for something that is only a rumor. However, not all nations with these characteristics are fascist. Citizens can simply be patriotic or nationalistic. There is nothing wrong with loving where you come from and wanting the best for your people. Having a charismatic leader is a good thing-- someone, a good guy, who will make a change you support. If someone is a threat to the nation where you live and love, you rightfully want them out. The government protects citizens from seeing the dirty work, things that must be done to keep a nation safe.

I believe many of these attributes actually make a nation stronger. It is important to have a drive and fever to preserve the place you live. Many societies today, especially in America, are torn between whether pride is a good or a bad thing. I feel it has become a new trend to hate the US and the way it is governed, overlooking the many freedoms and human rights we are granted. In other countries, this class would be unfathomable and immediately terminated. It becomes difficult to determine when these characteristics go "too far," or when nationalism gets out of hand. However, it is where violence ensues where situations take a turn. The enemy in a fascist society is not the enemy at all. Minorities are made out to be an evil that must be defeated, uniting individuals under common hatred and malice. Myths and stereotypes inflict harm on innocent people, possibly spiralling into something more. Perhaps a fascist society without a common enemy would be stable and prosperous, however, then it would not be a fascist society. Furthermore, who is to say that all of the other characteristics would not eventually hone in on yet another scapegoat to oppress.

A lot of good points were brought up in this learn to question, but what I especially thought was well done was the description of the progressive loss of autonomy to a charismatic leader with powerful ideas. The idea that the general populace doesn’t want to think for themselves and that they want to be told what to do and have laws made to govern them is scary yet has a degree of understanding. A powerful leader that makes laws with a subservient group of subjects creates an environment of comfortability and security for those unaffected by the worst of the law. This fosters an acceptance of conditions which evolves into a passive support as the movement becomes larger and gains popularity, and from there it can ultimately change into an active support coupled with fervent belief. The portrayal of a leader as a savior that can pull the country out of a time of economic or political despair is especially dangerous as it creates a fanatical following that would be willing to do anything it takes to get that person appointed into power or support them with little to no questioning. Additionally, there was discussion on minority groups being targeted as an outgroup with religion, purity, stereotypes, or rumors as the main justification. The use of propaganda to promote these ideas ultimately nurtured a level of groupthink against the minority. Overall this response was really well written and I agree with a lot of the comments made.

Originally posted by Marcus Aurelius on December 03, 2024 21:08

Fascism occurs in societies where there is a general air of political instability. This political instability is also often marked by economic hardships, war, and social unrest. Because of this people feel a loss of security and a lack of general direction, causing them to look for what they perceive as strong, capable leaders who promise stability and a return to normalcy or even better times. Unfortunately the people promising these things are authoritarian figures who then lead a nation into a dictatorial fascist society. They present themselves as “saviors” who can make the nation great again. On top of this, political instability often means the traditional/historical institutions have failed to do what they promised in some way, contributing to people’s disdain for the current system and wanting something different. People believe that these fascist governments can offer the control and certainty that they crave. The article The Psychology of Fascism states this well, saying that a fascist movement “appeals to the innate desire for a simple and immediate solution to complex problems.” People are in such a state due to their situation that they are unable to clearly think about what the outcome of such a government will be, only looking to the fastest and easiest solution to their problems.

However, in order to “restore order” these fascist societies take away a lot of things from people. The core way that fascist governments achieve this is through manipulation of fear. The leaders choose a group/groups of people and make them an enemy, creating an “us v. them” mentality. This causes people to fear an existing or non-existent external enemy. As Stanley says in How Fascism Works, “Fascist leaders often employ language that obscures the reality of their actions and uses euphemisms that appeal to a collective desire for strength and unity.” These actions help consolidate power and manipulate public perception of what is really happening. If the leaders make up a story about an “enemy” then people are more inclined to blame this enemy for their problems. This also creates a very strong sense of nationalism. People will begin to unite around a shared identity which promotes a sense of superiority that “justifies” the policies and actions taken by the state. It helps maintain loyalty and mobilize people towards a singular cause.

Yet, fearing something external isn’t the only thing they need to control the people. They also need to promote fear of the leader and fear of doing something wrong as well. They do this by punishing anyone for literally anything that is deemed opposition towards the government. There are also strict laws that strip people’s fundamental rights. When things become a law people are less likely to break them because there are actual consequences that they often fear having to deal with. This is especially the case in fascist societies where the punishment for dissenting was often death. The suppression of dissenting ideas allows fascists to prevent people from thinking critically about their actions. Another way they create a lack of opposition is by employing propaganda and mass censorship of everything. They only promote ideas that align with their political ideology, causing people to also adopt similar ideas creating an environment of mental “unity.” Propaganda and censorship enforce the singular narrative that further cements the government’s power.

The appeal of fascist ideology lies mostly in its promise to provide answers and a sense of order during times of crisis. This is why it can take hold even in modern societies. In Europe, there are several far-right parties that have gained influence by promoting nationalist, anti-immigrant, and authoritarian policies. These movements echo many traits of historical fascist movements. We can also see this in the US with Donald Trump. Many of his policies, actions, and ideologies resemble some of those from fascist societies.

Post your response here.

I also agree with the fact that political instability is a big reason why facism occurs. Since people during the instability are also facing hardships economically, as well as war and social unrest, then they become more vulnerable. Authoritarian figures use this to take advantage of them by providing new ideas and making themselves look like live saviors. I agree with these ideas because I believe that if a society is happy with their way of living, then these radical ideas will not be as appealing, so most wouldn't follow. But a big factor why Nazi Germany worked was because everyone was in such a bad place, that the party gave them a shed of hope. Also that is the reason why Nazi’s rise was not just a coincidence but something very calculated, the party knew the state Germans were in and because of that they were so successful.

My views on how the Nazi party grew and maintained their power is also similar. Having very strict rules, as well as harsh punishments is the reason that so little resisted. Since it was easier for Germans to just go along with the party, not many resisted since it would not only mean punishment, but being alienated and becoming the “them” with the rest of society.

Originally posted by Pistachio on December 04, 2024 08:40

Cymothoa exigua, a common marine parasite that goes through the gills of the fish undetected and replaces the tongue with the fish with itself, feeded off what the fish eats till it dies. Fascism is much like this sort of parasite, in which it riggles its way into society without anyone noticing and as it grows and grows it itself becomes a core of that society. If met with resistance, often death ensues. Politicians don’t scream out that fascism is what their country needs and citizens don’t yell back in symphony “For Fascism!” neither. People don’t necessarily support fascism by name but simply put, people are idiotic and thinking is hard so fascism makes people’s lives easier because they don’t have to think for themselves. People are simple minded and often think on a base level and their main motive to support a politician, especially in America, is how well their beliefs align with their own as well as what policies can most benefit them as an individual. Humans at their core are selfish creatures so selfish actions are what we will do. In fascist societies a line will be made, a distinction of sorts, between who are the “good” vs the “bad”. It’s essentially making teams for a highschool dodgeball game where who is on whose team is arbitrarily picked, with the only caveat being that the two groups share some key difference. It is meant to create this power dynamic, to breed disdain for one another, a disdain and hate that people never knew even existed. Humans are apex predators, naturally we feel the desire to be powerful to have influence because often in societies made to be equal, that feeling of power doesn’t exist. Rules will be made, laws passed that advantage one group over the other. Again, humans are selfish beings, many have a thought process of, “Oh if it doesn’t affect me, then why does it matter?”. People begin to idolize this figure who gives them such a euphoric feeling of power over the oppressed group, to them, that leader is like a god who hath bestoweth the power upon thou. Hate is often stronger than love, and with that level and mass of hate, no love can be heard. As said in Kenneth Feigenbaum’s “The Psychology of Fascism: Wilhelm Reich Et Al” the, “Interest in money and power is a substitute for unfulfilled happiness in love, supported by the biologic rigidity of masses of people” (Feigenbaum 73). People begin to associate this power with these leaders and surrounding these leaders, societies are created with individuals willing to do anything to appease their Aztec gods, namely a tradition being human sacrifice. Now ultimately, these “gods” are no less human than the ones who worship them. That means greed, power, and selfishness will overtake them. What started as small little policies that affected a minority population, now turns to policies of mass control and tyranny. These people can only stand and watch as their world crumbles as their gods enact their wrath, for they are already knee-deep in the blood of the oppressed. Seemingly out of thin air, the control now all resides in a select few hands who helicopter over their society to ensure that they stay in power. Opinions are now fossils, and if one even dares to hold their measly opinion that sides not with the fascist ideals, well then now they must of have been corrupted by that treacherous “bad group”, what a shame, only death awaits for the weak minded. Death is the only place for dissenters and living a bad life is better than living no life at all. Ironic in a way, the leaders rose to power only by the will of their entourage of supporters. The supporters only followed them for the feeling of advantage and power the leaders gave, but now the people’s power is no longer theirs to use, it is the leader’s. As Kenneth Feigenbaum said in “The Psychology of Fascism: Wilhelm Reich Et Al” to summarize what Reich believed he stated that, “Humanity is biologically sick” (Feigenbaum 73).

I think the most compelling part of their post was the part where they analyzed how Human power dynamics contribute to the rise of Fascism. I found it interesting because I can clearly see how it is still relevant today and how it is driving many of the far-right pseudo fascist movements. For example, one of the reasons why Trump became so popular was that a majority of the American people became scared that Immigrants were taking things that were previously theirs like jobs thus taking away their power. Trump then realized this fear and preyed on it using it as his platform during the 2016 and 2024 elections. He was able to effectively make his supporters feel like a) his policies won’t harm them and b) allow them to feel power over all the people his policies would harm. However, despite the fact I agree with most of my peers, one thing I find myself disagreeing with is their Idea that living a bad life is better than living no life at all. For example, I think if you are living a life under a fascist regime not only are you suffering but I think you are not living a life at all because the regime is controlling all aspects of yourself thus taking control of your life. This means you are experiencing double the suffering however I think the solution is to not be complicit and stand up at the first wrong turn.

Fascism is able to manifest in a society when its current form of government is being doubted or the people are unsatisfied with the current state of things and are desperate to give any alternative a shot as long as there seems to be promises of a better life. fascism typically tends to include certain factors such as exaggerated nationalism, leader worship, military supremacy, scapegoating, violence, and propaganda, just to name a few. We discussed in class that these movements tend to start out as populist nationalist movements and then expand into something much more sinister. Because it doesn’t usually look like what it actually is in its earlier stages, it could actually seem appealing to those who are unaware, due to the seemingly harmless nationalism that takes place and that there’s an “enemy” they’re working to defeat. They are misled into believing what they’re doing is for the common good. Like any other sort of political movement, there needs to be a leader that can really appeal to the public, especially through their speaking. In Nazi Germany, we can see this with Hitler who held countless speeches, parades, etc. to rally the German people into believing whatever he said. This worked so well that it eventually became a crime to think otherwise of what he’d spoken. That plays into another huge part of fascism. As Kenneth Feigenbaum stated in the Comparative Civilians Review, people need to possess the “readiness to follow the group in everything, to reproduce in their worldview and social behavior the accepted worldview and activity stereotypes” (Feigenbaum 6). Without people who are willing to blindly follow the majority, no movement will ever take hold. In my opinion, I do believe that the U.S. may be taking steps into becoming a neo-fascist society. I feel like especially looking at people’s support of Donald Trump, we can see some overlap with what we have defined as the characteristics of a fascist society. A few big things that I’ve noticed are extreme nationalism. Not all, but many Trump supporters have expressed this is a “white man’s country” and that anyone who is an immigrant should be taken out of it. This also ties with scapegoating because I feel like the excuse that a lot of those people use is that immigrants make America a dangerous place and are taking away jobs from “real” citizens. It’s not difficult to see that the entire idea of “immigrants” in America is completely ironic seeing that European colonists settled here and pushed the native populations out of their homes but that seems to be forgotten. Trump especially and his supporters have outwardly expressed racist, sexist, and homophobic views. The last two relate back to another common factor of fascism which is "returning to traditional gender norms". The images they paint when they talk of the America they hope to see in the near future is concerning to say the least. Following the results of our most recent election, countless Americans have been stricken with fear as they wonder what their future will look like once the new year arrives. There’s so much uncertainty that no one has a clear answer but hopefully, the U.S. doesn’t go down a dark path.

Originally posted by MookieTheGoat on December 04, 2024 21:55

LTQ 4: Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism manifests in society when people are made to be scared of outside forces or during times of decline. If we look at historical examples and compare their characteristics with modern-day fascism we can see one of the biggest similarities is that the fascists rose during times of decline and manufactured uncertainty. For example, if you look at Nazi Germany, Hitler was able to use his charisma during the decade of economic decline, and the global embarrassment of the German state as well as mass anti “others” rhetoric to gain popular support from the people because he posed himself and the Nazi regime as the solution. This picture of Hitler being the savior created a strong populous movement that allowed the Nazis to use the Democratic systems already in place in Germany, along with deep corruption and propaganda, to take power and rule Germany as a fascist dictatorship. From Germany, we can see how fascism manifested during a time of great social decline and required a majority of the population to support the movement.

Additionally, when we compare the past with more recent examples of fascism John Henley, a European correspondent for the Guardian points out the populism present in the current Fascist movement. He finds, “Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, whose roots are widely considered neofascist, qualifies as far right, populist and socially conservative.” Nevertheless, the largest factor that we can use to explain how Fascist are able to take power is that they use a hatred for “other groups“ to unify the people to support the fascist party for example, Nazi Germany was able to effectively do this by targeting the Jews and blaming them for the economic devastation in Germany‘s embarrassment. Nevertheless, more recently, Trump has been able to create a popular following by uniting Americans into being xenophobic. John Henley furthers this claim by pointing out “A number of Europe’s mainstream center-right parties, including France’s Les Républicains (LR), the Netherlands’ VVD, and Britain’s Conservatives, have adopted nativist policy platforms, most notably on immigration.” this shows that many populist groups who may not be outright fascist still use many fascist tactics like their native platform to gain power. This indicates that many populist groups who may not be outright fascist still use many fascist tactics like their native platform to gain power.

However, despite many attempts to clearly define what is fascist or not it has become exceedingly hard to over time. For instance, in our discussion, we talked about how it is so problematic that people today tend to only describe something as fascist if it is exactly like Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy since it means that you could be fascist in many regards but not be considered one because you don’t commit genocide. This opens the door for Regimes to get away with horrible acts without being paired with the branding for being fascist. I think we need to lay out some criteria that when a country reaches just a few of them they should be labeled as fascist so as to protect the people who the regime is targeting and bring more awareness to their actions to prevent escalation. For example I think the criteria should be somewhat similar to what Abraham Maslow layed out in his 1950 essay on what causes fascism but they should be periodically updated so we don’t run into the aforementioned problems. The criteria he lays out 5 are, “1) Viewing the world as a “dog eat dog” one. “Your gain is my loss.” Zero sum reasoning 2) Believing that kindness is weakness 3) Exhibiting sado-masochistic tendencies 4) Containing intra-psychic conflicts and a sense of guilt that generates hostility 5) Manifesting a rigidity of thought.” In the end we must create a list of these criteria so as to prevent further fascist regimes from rising.

I completely agree with what you pointed out about our flaws in identifying fascism. Society tends to make Hitler and his Nazis or Mussolini this sort of "baseline" for fascism. As a result of that, it tends to overlook possible fascism arising in other societies because they don't look exactly the same or exceed the severity of that baseline. Fascism takes many forms but there are still many shared characteristics that are typical of fascist regimes that could make it easier to identify them if they are starting to develop. I feel like what you suggested about setting certain criteria that develops as fascism takes on different forms is not a bad idea at all. I feel like it would not only hold certain people accountable but it would also help avoid the term "fascism" being thrown around recklessly because that would just downplay the significance of it. I do wonder what the development of that would like and whether or not it'd actually get used because I remember we had a conversation not too long ago about countries not wanting to get involved in certain conflicts because it could create bigger problems for them and everyone else. Overall this is a really great post, good job.

Originally posted by bookshelf on December 04, 2024 07:45

Fascism manifests in a society in times of political unrest, and the people within the society look for stability and comfort. This was seen in the Weimar Republic, in which hyperinflation, postwar sadness, and political chaos consumed Germany. These combined created the perfect political climate for the rise of Adolph Hitler in the 1930s and 1940s.

In a fascist society, there must be severe aspects of authoritarianism and nationalism. These include an emphasis on combat and excellence and a control of information. The emphases on external combat include things such as supremacy of the military, and a desire for territorial expansion. However, there also are aspects of internal combat within a nation, such as an obsession with ‘enemies within’, identification of scapegoats for current problems, terror and lack of human rights. Jason Stanley, in his book “How Fascism Works” outlines another serious aspect of fascist societies, which is anti-intellectualism. He states that “in a fascist ideology, there is only one legitimate viewpoint, that of the dominant nation”. The control of information is indescribably dangerous within a nation, as it can contribute to phenomenons like groupthink, which can bring a nation further from the point of return. The control of information allowed for intense nationalism, and an alienation of scapegoats in the context of Nazi Germany. The scapegoats in question were mainly the Jewish population, however hate was also passed onto other minority groups such as Romani people, homosexuals, and those with disabilities. An ancient stereotype that Jewish people control the world led to widespread anti-antisemitism during the decline of the Weimar Republic, leading to legislation that slowly stripped them of their human rights.

One of the characteristics of fascist ideology that people find appealing is intense nationalism. This nationalism leads to a feeling of superiority among other countries, nationalities, and origins. Additionally, the line between harmful nationalism and healthy patriotism varies from person to person, and it is pushed further and further in a fascist society, until it does not exist. Following 9/11 especially, intense patriotism has been more and more common in the United States. This descent into xenophobia, Islamophobia, and racism (especially following the election of Donald Trump in 2016) has led many to believe that America is heading towards becoming a fascist state. Many feel “that the rise of far-right groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, and especially their participation in the “insurrection” of January 6, 2021, suggest that there’s an unprecedented threat to U.S. democracy that only the word “fascism” can describe.” (The New Republic). For this reason, many believe that Donald Trump and his far-right followers have sent the United States into a descent towards fascism. Donald Trump has exhibited traits of a fascist leader, especially in the form of anti-intellectualism. He has expressed desires to get rid of the department of education, and supply mainly christian media such as bibles and sets of the ten commandments to schools. This is an especially growing problem in the American South, especially in Florida where things like the “Don't Say Gay Bill” help force a right-wing political agenda.

I agree with several points made here, particularly your explanation of how fascism arises during times of political and social instability. The example of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Adolf Hitler is well-chosen and demonstrates how economic hardship, political chaos, and societal unrest can create fertile ground for authoritarian regimes. You also do a good job of connecting the historical context of Nazi Germany to more contemporary issues in the United States. The discussion of intense nationalism and its blurred line with harmful patriotism is particularly compelling and the connections drawn between post-9/11 xenophobia and modern political movements, such as the rise of far-right groups and policies, are really relevant.

Additionally, you address key problems associated with fascism, such as the targeting of minority groups, the suppression of dissent, and the manipulation of information. It balances historical evidence with modern examples, creating a clear narrative that ties past and present together. This approach strengthens the argument by showing how the patterns of fascist ideology remain consistent over time. Overall, I feel like you did a good job at addressing the prompt as well as expressing some arising concerns within our own society now and how it was back then.

Originally posted by bookshelf on December 04, 2024 07:45

Fascism manifests in a society in times of political unrest, and the people within the society look for stability and comfort. This was seen in the Weimar Republic, in which hyperinflation, postwar sadness, and political chaos consumed Germany. These combined created the perfect political climate for the rise of Adolph Hitler in the 1930s and 1940s.

In a fascist society, there must be severe aspects of authoritarianism and nationalism. These include an emphasis on combat and excellence and a control of information. The emphases on external combat include things such as supremacy of the military, and a desire for territorial expansion. However, there also are aspects of internal combat within a nation, such as an obsession with ‘enemies within’, identification of scapegoats for current problems, terror and lack of human rights. Jason Stanley, in his book “How Fascism Works” outlines another serious aspect of fascist societies, which is anti-intellectualism. He states that “in a fascist ideology, there is only one legitimate viewpoint, that of the dominant nation”. The control of information is indescribably dangerous within a nation, as it can contribute to phenomenons like groupthink, which can bring a nation further from the point of return. The control of information allowed for intense nationalism, and an alienation of scapegoats in the context of Nazi Germany. The scapegoats in question were mainly the Jewish population, however hate was also passed onto other minority groups such as Romani people, homosexuals, and those with disabilities. An ancient stereotype that Jewish people control the world led to widespread anti-antisemitism during the decline of the Weimar Republic, leading to legislation that slowly stripped them of their human rights.

One of the characteristics of fascist ideology that people find appealing is intense nationalism. This nationalism leads to a feeling of superiority among other countries, nationalities, and origins. Additionally, the line between harmful nationalism and healthy patriotism varies from person to person, and it is pushed further and further in a fascist society, until it does not exist. Following 9/11 especially, intense patriotism has been more and more common in the United States. This descent into xenophobia, Islamophobia, and racism (especially following the election of Donald Trump in 2016) has led many to believe that America is heading towards becoming a fascist state. Many feel “that the rise of far-right groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, and especially their participation in the “insurrection” of January 6, 2021, suggest that there’s an unprecedented threat to U.S. democracy that only the word “fascism” can describe.” (The New Republic). For this reason, many believe that Donald Trump and his far-right followers have sent the United States into a descent towards fascism. Donald Trump has exhibited traits of a fascist leader, especially in the form of anti-intellectualism. He has expressed desires to get rid of the department of education, and supply mainly christian media such as bibles and sets of the ten commandments to schools. This is an especially growing problem in the American South, especially in Florida where things like the “Don't Say Gay Bill” help force a right-wing political agenda.

I agree with your idea a lo, as history has demonstrated that in times of crisis—whether economic, social, or political—people may seek strong leadership and a return to order, which can sometimes manifest in fascism. The Weimar Republic's collapse and the subsequent rise of Hitler provide a historical example of this phenomenon which I agree, leads to this blurred line between between intense patriotism and fascism, which later becomes and appeals to this intense nationalism. Along with the important observation that nationalism can become harmful when it crosses into xenophobia or superiority complexes, and the relevant concern that it takes in contemporary politics. “This descent into xenophobia, Islamophobia, and racism (especially following the election of Donald Trump in 2016) has led many to believe that America is heading towards becoming a fascist state.” I believe that I also have a similar view of this as well, with especially his comments of alienating immigrants and his desire to uphold this national purity of the American people. However there are a lot of articles, specifically the one relating to American Fascism, that rebuke this idea that America is leaning towards a fascist state. Saying how the term facism, like the word genocide, is being tossed around and due to this slowly losing its actual and more impactful meaning and becoming more of a insult.