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Ms. Bowles
US
Posts: 36

Questions to Consider:


Please craft a well written response that incorporates what we have discussed in the Dinner Table Discussion. You should also refer directly to the readings linked below as well, including at least one quote for reference to at least one of the readings in your response.


How and why does fascism manifest in a society? Which characteristics must be present for a society to be considered fascist? What is it about fascist ideology that people initially find appealing? Are there currently nations that are experiencing what could be considered a neo-fascist era?



Word Count Requirement: 500-750 words



Readings to Reference:


Please refer to the ideas, either using a quote or paraphrasing, from at least one of the readings in your response.


Excerpts from How Fascism Works (Jason Stanley)


The Psychology of Fascism (Comparative Civilizations Review)


Populist, nativist, neofascist? A lexicon of Europe’s far right? (The Guardian)


Does American Fascism Exist? (New Republic)


No, Trump Is Not a Fascist (National Review)


With Trump’s Victory, Europe’s Populist Right Sees Return of a Fellow Believer (NYTimes)




Rubrics to Review:


LTQ Rubric

charsiu
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism mainly manifests in societies that experience periods of crisis and chaos, such as economic turmoil, political instability, or anxiety. The fascist Nazi movement was a response to the enduring catastrophes of the post-war Weimar Republic, and attempted to resolve the widespread hyperinflation, restore order and power to the government, and return Germany to its former glory through redemption. No fascist regime inherently seizes power by force; typically they start as elected nationalist and populist organizations that move towards dictatorships, ran by officials and put into office by voters who believe they are contributing towards a greater effort of improving their nation. Civilians that support fascism might do so because it offers a solution to problems that have challenged the status quo and threatened their welfare. They seek a plan for the future and themselves, and are drawn to strong central leaders and powerful governments because of their confusion. Some main characteristics of historic fascist societies include ultranationalism, anti-intellectualism, and idenficiation of enemies and scapegoats. Ultranationalism is a large motivator of fascist regimes, because it is often determined to restore national pride or fervor, incorporates many historical fascist desires for territorial expansion, and sometimes justifies blatant racism and xenophobia. The identification of enemies and scapegoats, often ethnic minorities, is a comforting act that allows individuals to place the blame of their suffering onto others and persecute a tangible group. This marginalization, however, is not created by fascism, but rather stems from historical discrimination which contradicts ideas of human equality while playing into stereotypes. The Psychology of Fascism by Kenneth Feigenbaum asserts, “At the center of the anti-enlightenment lies the idea that humans are all different, should not be treated equally, should not be handled according to their deeds, and should not be respected as individuals. (This idea) stresses the determinate role of either the ethnic, religious or cultural background. The attack on the enlightenment revels in the denial of the unity of the human race.” This prevalent belief in fascist regimes provides a basis for the dehumanization and oppression of minorites, especially those that are deemed not ideal and lesser, and increases fear and paranoia in a society. Anti-intellectualism is capable of preserving complacency, dissuading critical thinking and rebellion, and preventing the spread of knowledge and ideologies that contradict the regime. Without possessing the information necessary to form an argument against fascism, there is no possibility of deviance from it. Characteristics of fascism like propaganda and control of media are also key indicators of fascism, but fascism evolves over periods of time and doesn’t necessarily take on the same shape in different time periods. It is much more difficult to regulate the vast amounts of information and content on media, which decreases the likelihood of such a trait being as fundamental of an indicator of fascism as it was decades ago. Because of changing time periods, it is difficult to determine whether modern-day nations are currently undergoing neo-fascist eras, and because some nations might have some characteristics and don’t have others that pertain to the overall structure of fascism. The United States, for instance, might be undergoing a neo-fascist era, since it is experiencing waves of anti-intellectualism (the Trump Administration’s pledge to abolish the Department of Education), scapegoating (targeting of illegal immigrants), attacks on gender and sexuality (overturn of Roe v. Wade and abortion bans), and glorification of the past (“make America great again”), yet people can also make the argument that it possesses nowhere near the same level of government-controlled propaganda and media or demand for territorial expansion. It is becoming increasingly harder to classify nations as such.
TheGreatGatsby
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism manifests itself in a society during periods of unrest and social crises. Fascism can also arise if a nation has a fascist past. When Nazi Germany first came to be, it was during a period of social crisis that occured due to the end of the Weimar Republic. The people also had a lot of disdain towards the government and had trouble trusting it. All these factors caused the rise of fascism since there wasn’t a solid ground to establish democracy. The hyperinflation during the Weimar period along with the widespread unemployment rates and poverty rates caused the instability of the government, which in turn allowed for fascism to gain control. Some people were advocating for fascism, saying that it could fix all their problems, and since people were so desperate for any sort of stability, people started to support it. I believe that hypernationalism and the marginalization of a group are factors that need to be present for a society to be considered fascist. Hypernationalism is very important since it drives people to try to better the country and causes people to feel the need to do whatever’s the best for their country. This was reflected in Nazi Germany, citizens felt that the Jewish people were holding back Germany and in order to have the best country, they needed to get rid of them. This leads into the other aspect of a fascist regime, the marginalization of a group. In Nazi Germany, the Jewish people were subjected to unspeakable atrocities all on the basis of rumors and stereotypes about them being extremely greedy and inhumane. The German government, especially after the Weimar Republic, wasn’t the greatest, and thus they needed something to blame it on, so they shifted the blame for everything onto the Jewish people. This only made the hatred towards Jewish people stronger. However, it’s important to note that the marginalization of Jewish people didn’t start in Germany, it has been going on throughout history. The Psychology of Fascism states “The broadest approach to understanding fascism is a historical-ideological one which interprets fascism as part of a long-standing tradition in Western Civilization…This struggle has a long history, one parallel to the beginning of the Enlightenment arising in the 17th century and running to the present day.” I believe that fascist ideology is so appealing since those who aren’t being marginalized may feel that they will gain power and status from a fascist regime. People often didn’t think about what they were actually advocating for and the means behind it in Nazi Germany. While a lot of the support did come from pressure from the regime and mob mentality, where people feared to be outcasted by society, others advocated for the regime because of the power they would gain. The United States is a great example of a nation that is approaching a neo-fascist era. With the policies that Trump is enacting, it's clear to see that the U.S. is starting to go towards fascism. Trump’s policies that target illegal immigrants is a way to marginalize people. Trump wants to deport all illegal immigrants from the country. This mirrors the fascist regimes we have been talking about, in each, groups have been marginalized, and with America today, it’s not different.
Tired
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

During the dinner table discussion, we talked about a range of topics, centered around fascism. The first aspect that we touched upon was what we considered the most important characteristic, and some traits that we found the most crucial were the propaganda or the charismatic leader. Propaganda is heavily dangerous and can be used as a powerful instrument to control the people. I made a comparison to the censorship and propaganda in Vietnam, although they are communist and not fascist, it can still apply as there were many dictators seen as charismatic leaders, such as Ho Chi Minh. Many citizens worshipped him despite him trying to take over and colonize parts of Vietnam. We also believed that propaganda can be dangerous because the citizens back then weren’t as educated as we are now, and for the people living under fascism they did not have the opportunity to be under universities or schooling that can show them the truth. This is why we believed that the United States couldn’t succumb to fascism, because we are too aware, we’ve gotten smarter, and the idea that there will always be a group of people protesting against is safely assured to show that we won’t be repeating that part of history anytime soon.


We also touched upon many political aspects, such as how fascism can have aspects of both the far left and the far right, where although fascism has had far right rhetoric, it can still have aspects like an economy catered towards the far left. We also talked about modern times and if the United States is becoming an fascist regime, and we all agreed that it was not, however, definitely has elements of fascism within. Elements that can be seen as fascist is how the United States is the hatred towards minority groups, and how we aren’t perfect because there is still antisemitism despite the many years of Hitler passing. Despite all this, I believe we have improved over time, and our hatred has lessened throughout the decades. There is also how many political parties today use traditional ideas, such as Social Darwinism and Gender Roles to emphasize superiority and who is more “dominant”. It’s upsetting that people still think like this, because of how hard we’ve worked to transform this and go beyond simple rules. And with our newly elected president, ”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” (No, Trump is Not a Fascist). Although we agreed that many of the new politicians may not be the greatest of choices, we are mainly concerned with if they change the government structure and if they will try to reign in their own policies. Trump may have committed terrible and disrespectful crimes, but he cannot be fascist, simply because the term fascism has too much historical impact and burdens that it carries along with it.


In conclusion, fascism was an interesting topic to discuss and to see everyone’s views on what factors are still with us today. I felt like I learned a lot about the history of fascism as well, and a lot about politics, since my peers seem to have a lot of knowledge on it. I’m glad we got to talk about this because we got to recognize the ease in which fascism can spread, and see how to prevent it from happening again.


everlastingauroras
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age LTQ

Fascism manifests primarily in societies that are undergoing extreme amounts of turmoil. Parts of fascism include the idea of a sole leader rising up to power and implementing their beliefs onto the people surrounding them. These sorts of government systems were extremely prevalent in societies in the past, and still continue to persist. In fascist societies when these leaders begin to rise up, people tend not to disobey them because it is all that they are used to; it becomes a norm.


Other aspects are also very prevalent with other kinds of turmoil--specifically instability. Things such as poverty, an increasing inflation rate, the separation of races, and more are some things that cause people to be unhappy with the state of their government. As a result, these people tend to be more likely to adhere to new leaders rising up--in this case fascist leaders. These leaders are new people rising to power that are offering change. They are offering a possible change in the system. People will grasp onto any sort of escape, losing their rational in the process


Though not necessarily a fascist society, aspects of them are still prevalent in modern American Society as “their shared racism, reliance on the petit bourgeois, hypernationalism, and xenophobia” imply that they are taking another step closer to fascism. The terminology of what a fascist society is is constantly changing and is often very broad. America however is taking very similar steps as ones in the past. Diving into patterns in election, the term “lesser of two evils” is often used. To a certain degree people are restricted to voting within the two party system. When candidates are up for reelection, sometimes the candidate on the other side wins not necessarily because their ideas are supported, but because people are unhappy with the current state of our society. The other candidate is an escape, and though they are more restricted in this decision it does not change the fact that it is still being made. Officials are no longer being elected because of the quality of their policies, but rather to avoid the policies of the person they are against. America may not be a fascist society at the moment, but it does have a chance of becoming one just like every other nation.


Another nation that could be considered Neo-Fascist would be North Korea. The population here lives an extreme life of seclusion and lives under the belief that Kim Jong Un--their leader--is their almighty savior. People here for the most part adhere to this government because of the extreme punishments experienced if they do not. They also have the belief of other groups, which in their case would be the majority of people who are not living in North Korea. They view themselves as the privileged in their Nation, and anyone who is not living there constitutes suffering because they don’t have the same great power ruling. There is also a huge discrimination towards South Korea. However, a lot of the reason why people fall for this type of government is at the hands of manipulation. From childhood to their death bed, individuals are taught these same beliefs. It surrounds their every action. Compared to other societies they are also uneducated. This world is all that they know, so it gets to a point where an escape feels unrealistic, ultimately showing the power and dangers that neo-fascists societies have.

cactus
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism manifests itself in a society that is filled with chaos and instability. The fascist regime in Nazi Germany arose as a result of the instability of the government during the Wiemar Republic. During the Wiemar Age, there was a lot of instability in the economy and the government because there was no consistent leader. The fascist government during this period was meant to resolve hyperinflation and maintain a constant government. Hitler convinced society that they needed to help restore Germany to how it used to be and make it great again. The glorification of the past and the idea that we need to regain our past is a characteristic present in many fascist societies. This is similar to Trump’s catchphrase “Make America Great Again”, although I don’t believe that America is fascist, this belief that our past was amazing and someone came and ruined it is a way fascist leaders can convince a society to agree with them. The United States is an example of a nation that is on its way to becoming a Neo-fascist society but is not there yet. Trump and many U.S. leaders are enacting policies specifically meant to marginalize a group of people such as immigration laws. A lot of people voted Trump into power because they believed that he was going to help them and help restore our past. This is why some people find fascism initially appealing, they think that their leader will make society better for them by restoring it to the past. People also find the fascist ideology appealing because it aims to fix society and stabilize the government. People are drawn to these strong leaders because they believe that they have the power to make the future better.

During a chaotic period, a society seeks comfort in unity and connection because they feel disassociated from everything. This search for unity can present itself in ultra nationalism which is a main factor of fascist societies, ultra nationalism can also set the stage for racism and marginalization. In Nazi Germany, ultra-nationalism unified Aryan Germans to have a common hatred against Jewish people. According to The Psychology of Fascism, in a fascist society, people believe that all humans are not meant to be treated equally and follow the anti-enlightenment ideas that "degrades the roles of freedom and individual human rights and promotes national myths and legends. For a nation state what is considered to be blood is more important than citizenship. This leads to a general attitude against immigration.” These anti-enlightenment ideas correlate to many fascist ideologies. These beliefs about the degradation of freedom provide a base for the dehumanization and oppression of minorities, such as Jews, in fascist societies. Fascist leaders also used tactics such as propaganda to convince societies of their beliefs. Propaganda is dangerous because it takes advantage of the fact that some people are uneducated and don't have the opportunity to form their own opinions, they are just manipulated by the government. This is one of the reasons that some people believe that the United States could never be a fascist society, because we are such an educated and modern country. One thing that we have to remember is that before the Nazis came to power, Germany was a modern society not so different from our own and it still turned into a fascist society. Fascism can arise in any situation and look different from nation to nation. One nation that I think is neo-fascist is North Korea. North Korea uses a lot of propaganda and control of the media to create a society with all the same beliefs. Their society is very isolated from the rest of the world and is very monitored by the government. Fascism is very dangerous and we have to be aware that it can arise in any nation even if it is modern like the United States.

glitterseashell1234
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

LTQ Post 4: Facism in the Modern Age

Facism manifests in society because of the insecurity and unrest of its people. In order to allow facism to grow, people need to feel like their society has left them behind in a way. This allows leaders to manipulate these anxieties and take control. Similar to what we learned in the first unit of the class, people are easier to control when they lack a strong sense of self and have insecurities they want to dissociate from. We can see this in Nazi Germany, as people felt anxiety about the Wiemar Republic’s political, economic, and social state and wanted someone to blame for it. This is what prompts us to analyze whether America is experiencing neo-fascism, as we see strong leaders responding to anxieties about the current state of American institutions. According to William Reich in his work The Psychology of Fascism, “This involves the tendency to renounce “the independence of one’s ego” with someone or something external in order to find the power missing from the individual himself. Psychologically, such individuals are much more comfortable when their lives, their will and their minds are controlled by a totalitarian leader”(Reich 75). I think William Reich perfectly elucidates the fact that fascism manifests from already held aggressions and then grows with leadership. This explains why so many people feel anxious and fearful of current American politicians' ability to sway and influence the people's ideology. I think the one factor of a regime that makes it the easiest to label fascist is anti-enlightenment ideologies. The freedom of knowledge and ideas is what empowers society, allowing it to move forward in the right direction. Anti-intellectualism challenged democracy, freedom, and human nature. I think this is one factor of fascism that is escalating in America in legislation and schooling, such as the potential abolishment of the Department of Education and the “Don't Say Gay” bill in Florida. There is also a lot of censorship with current book banning, although not as drastic as what occurred in Nazi Germany. Overall, I think there are some factors of fascism that exist in America but I would not necessarily say America is “fascist”.

I also think that fascism would be difficult in America considering the multitudes of ethnicities, religions, nationalities, and talents that exist here. However, that is not to say that fascism would be impossible, I believe it definitely wouldn’t. I think America’s history with systematic racism shows it is able to be Darwinistic and label a group as “ superior”. However, due to recent growth in diversity, it would be more difficult to find a majority in identity that could be labeled as the “superior”.

I think people find fascism appealing in the modern era as things are rapidly changing. The current discussions around “identity politics”, climate change, immigration, and economics have a lot of information that is constantly changing. Although these discussions are universally and unarguably valid, there may be a lot that people find confusing, leading to animosity and tension. This confusion and rapid change could make people reminisce about the past, as the past is a time when things were easy to understand and “simple”. This reminiscence of the past is one factor of the factors of fascism, leading people back to anti-intellectualism, gender roles, and Social Darwinism.

questions
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism manifests in societies that are struggling from political, economic, or social chaos. Some of the most important characteristics of fascist societies are extreme nationalism and having an out group. These aspects usually arise in societies that are struggling and are looking for a way out. These characteristics must be present for a society to be considered fascist because having a common hatred for a certain group of people can cause extreme nationalism. The belief of nativism is also very significant in manifesting a fascist society because it creates outgroups, which are essential. These out groups allow for extreme nationalism to arise, which is the most important aspect of fascist societies. Another important aspect to a fascist society is a great leader. Leaders are meant to gather everyone up for a cause they support and fight for it. Without a leader, fascist societies are likely to not be as extreme because there is no one in command. Most people are too afraid of the consequences of stepping up, so they don’t do anything at all. With a leader, those people are encouraged to fight for whatever they support. Fascism was likely so easily accepted because of the instability and propaganda present in the past. Since people were looking for a way to improve society, fascism might have seemed like a viable solution based on propaganda. Additionally, a society struggling in every way will find solutions to their problems, even if those solutions may seem ridiculous. Many times society is just an echo chamber, blinded by propaganda put in place by the government.


Currently, there are some people that think the United States is neo-fascist. However, the current political and social climate in the United States are different from fascist societies in the past because the US hasn’t gone to the extremes yet. The people of the US also have more individual opinions than the people in the past, making a fascist society hard to achieve in modern day. According to the article, Does American Fascism Exist, “For most of its American history, fascism has been an insult, a performative reflection of the user’s desire to make the object of their derision disreputable.” This means that America does not want a fascist society and one should not manifest in American society. However, our society is not immune to fascism because anything can happen in the span of a couple years. The economy has a possibility of crashing one day, creating chaos and a greater possibility of fascism. It is not likely that fascism will arise in the US, but it doesn’t mean it is impossible. Other than the United States, there are countries that are neo-fascist. The prominent example is North Korea, with its extreme limitations and nationalism. The nation is based on a sole leader, Kim Jong Un, who is seen as the greatest by all. There is great amounts of propaganda about how great the country is, not allowing anyone to enter or exit the country. This makes it seem like the rest of the world is an outgroup to the citizens of North Korea. The extreme limitations the citizens face mirrors that of past fascist societies, potentially making North Korea neo-fascist.

Fahrenheit.jr.
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Learn to Question Post 4: Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism typically is exhibited through a combination of political, social, and economic instability, often feeding off of conditions of fear and disillusionment within the population. It arises as a reaction to perceived threats, whether internal or external like foreign competition. In the face of instability, fascist ideologies essentially “promise” strong, centralized leadership, national renewal, and the restoration of order and pride, often through authoritarian methods. Fascism can be seen in both post-World War I European contexts and the broader conditions of the early 20th century, where many nations were grappling with the failures of liberal democracies, economic hardships, and the aftermath of war. Similarly today, fascism can arise from similar frustrations, particularly when certain movements manipulate nationalistic, anti-immigrant, or anti-globalization sentiments. In order for a society to be deemed fascist, there are certain characteristics that must be present. First, there is the presence of a tyrannical-like leader, a captivating figure who promises to restore national greatness and embodies the will of the people. Second, fascist regimes typically tend to reject the ideas of democratic institutions, prohibit political opposition, and reduce civil liberties. This reduction can take place in various forms, including violence, propaganda, surveillance, and legal restrictions on political participation. Next, fascism is fairly nationalistic and exclusionary, with the identity of the nation being defined by race, ethnicity, or culture, which often leads to the persecution of minorities. Finally, fascist movements also emphasize militarization, with the state often using force to achieve political goals.

Fascism appeals to people and societies during times of uncertainty, economic instability, or perceived national decline. Fascism’s promises of strength, order, and renewal match particularly with those who feel alienated or powerless, targeting marginalized groups. Fascist movements exploit fears of loss, whether it’s loss of status, cultural identity, or security, and provide a victim for societal problems. These victims typically end up being minority groups, foreigners, or political enemies of the nation. In some way, fascism offers a clear, simple solution to complex issues. This appeal to a return to "greatness" can be compelling, especially when the current political system appears to be ineffective or corrupt.

Neo-fascist movements and regimes are becoming increasingly visible in the current political landscape. While completely fascist governments are rare today, elements of fascist ideology can be seen in the policies of various political leaders and movements across the globe. In Europe, far-right parties and leaders in countries like Hungary, Poland, and Italy have embraced nationalist, anti-immigrant, and authoritarian ideas, replacing democratic norms, undermining judicial independence, and suppressing objection. Hungary, under the control of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has seen increased centralization of power and the weakening of political freedoms, mirroring some fascist tendencies. Similarly, Italy's right-wing government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has drawn comparisons to fascist regimes due to its nationalist and restrictive policies. The rise of anti-democratic and populist ideas in the U.S. during and after the Trump presidency, as well as attempts to undermine the electoral system and the normalization of political violence, have also raised concerns about the emergence of neo-fascism. In the New York Times article With Trump’s Victory, Europe’s Populist Right Sees Return of a Fellow Believer by Andrew Higgins, it is stated; "Mr. Orban... gambled and he won. The election of Mr. Trump 'definitely puts wind in the sails of Europe’s populist right.” This further reflects the increasing popularity of neo-fascist ideologies “putting wind in the sails”, due to these comparable aspects, such as increasing populism and anti-democratic ideas, to previous fascist societies. These movements all share common themes, such as a glorified vision of the past, anti-elitism, and the reordering of society according to a strict nationalistic view. While these movements don’t always conform to historical fascism, the overlap of ideas and the erosion of democratic norms play a significant role. Neo-fascism will evolve in response to specific national contexts, but its core reasoning is rooted in a desire for national strength, social unity, and the rejection of liberal democratic principles. In this way, societies experiencing a neo-fascist period exhibit characteristics similar to those of fascist regimes of the past, however in a more modern context. The problem would however be if the incremental erosion of democratic institutions continued and the normalization of authoritarian practices became more relevant, which could potentially lead to a broader shift toward a more overtly fascist society.

Camellia
Boston, MA, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

For a society to manifest fascism, it needs to be primed with political or economic weakness and fear of the future. With feelings of instability present throughout the country, fascism can seem like a promising return to better times. For a fascist regime, there needs to be ultranationalism, an obsession with enemies, glorification of ethnicity, media control, and anti-intellectualism. Despite other common characteristics like supremacy of the military and violence being present in many fascist societies, I think those are side effects that are common in fascist societies but not exactly defining characteristics. Ultranationalism is the driving force for fascism to thrive and sits at the very core of the idea. In addition to ultranationalism, having the country be obsessed with seeking out enemies and having pride in their ethnicity keeps the movement important and personal to the people, making it another crucial part of fascism. Finally, media control and anti-intellectualism are necessary to create and continue the cycle of fascism. For a society to be considered truly fascist, it should embody all of these characteristics in some way.

Most people tend to have an opinion of fascism and those who fed into such societies, but forget to take into account the appeal behind having a change in a struggling country. In most fascist societies, the previous party had already ruined the perception of the government under their power, most citizens had lost faith in the government. Fascism as a novel idea not only brought change but with it hope that the country could reach its full potential. In times of crisis, such as economic turmoil or social unrest, fascism provides a straightforward view of the world. It pushes the idea that a strong leader and national unity will solve all problems, which at a surface level is not cause for alarm. During times of crisis, the people of a nation possess many fears about the future, fascism targets this and offers a sense of security to its citizens. Since we aren't in the extreme circumstances of those under fascist societies, it is unfair to judge from an outside perspective without understanding the different points of view and positives that come with embracing fascism.

Although I think it would be hard to have a completely fascist society in today's world, I think it's possible to have fascism prevalent in society. The hardest parts to overcome would be media control and an obsession with enemies. In first-world countries, it's close to impossible to have complete media control without there being a revolt. Even media control on a smaller scale, like the banning of certain books in schools, has been largely disputed and looked down upon, so attempts for this to be done on a much larger scale would be unsuccessful. However, it's important to note how first-world countries like the United States have expressed fascist characteristics. For example, the argument of Trump supporters being fascists exists. This idea is backed up with the ultranationalism and glorification of ethnicity present among supporters as well as there being an importance set on enemies and anti-intellectualism. But since this group is still under the confinements of the United States and its regulations, important aspects like media control cannot be enforced. It’s also important to realize that Trump supporters are commonly referred to as fascists by more left-winged people and the term has sort of lost its political meaning to a broader category of conservative ideals. The New Republic questions this and states the importance of wondering if “whether using a twentieth-century term that inevitably invokes images of brown-shirted thugs beating down doors and black-shirted psychopaths running death camps will help us solve the problems we face.”

In third-world countries, where media control is easier and in some cases already present, other fascist ideals like the glorification of ethnicity and ultranationalism are missing among the common people, making fascism unlikely in those parts of the world.

bluewater
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism manifests through a combination of hardship, lack of leadership, and desperation. It manifests as an extremist movement that brings together many groups of people to carry out the leader’s agenda. Fascist societies are usually ultra-nationalist, worship a leader, and spread ideas about an enemy within society. Fascist ideologies are appealing to people because they provide a great sense of hope and provide solutions for the current issues in these societies. After World War I, Germany was in a great state of disarray with hyperinflation and political unrest. The people of Germany were untrustworthy of the Weimar Republic because they felt betrayed by the fact that they were given false news about the war. With these factors combined, the Germans were vulnerable and afraid of the future which allowed for fascism to take over. Since fascism is an extreme right movement, it gained many followers who shared those beliefs. Other people who were lost or didn’t know which political party to choose often chose the fascists because they provided a sense of purpose and acted as a guide. Fascism often scapegoats a group of people paints them as the enemy and uses this hate for their cause. More people who have issues will join and oppress this group as a way of releasing their emotions and feeling more involved in society. Fascist societies also worship the leader of the movement and this creates a cultish following. In the case of Hitler, he was painted as a hero of Germany and as a role model for the children of Germany and many believed he was destined to save Germany. Similarly, in today’s world, Donald Trump is also worshipped by many and is seen as a savior of the United States by some. Trump’s followers are all mostly nationalists looking to bring back America’s glory and share his propaganda of “Making America Great Again”. These characteristics of Trump’s movement are highly similar to those of a fascist regime with the worship of a leader, a far-right movement, and ultra-nationalism. However, even though Trump shares many characteristics of a fascist leader, he is not inherently fascist. A key factor in previous fascist movements was the use of military units and violence to carry out their agendas. The Nazis and Italians used military groups for intimidation and power to keep an iron fist on their people. The belief in a superior race was a key part of Nazi ideology and led to the scapegoating of Jews and the Holocaust. The article, No, Trump is Not a Fascist, states how Donald Trump is against militarization and racism and states, “Rather than pursuing the classic fascist objective of territorial aggrandizement through conquest, he inveighs against his party’s own military hawks” and “Instead of pursuing a politics of racial purity, he is now trying to build a more multi-racial political coalition.”. Although many could argue that Trump is building a fascist regime, he has not taken his actions to extremes that mirror those of previous fascist societies. We should learn from previous fascist societies to prevent or limit the possibility of future harmful governments from happening today as they severely limit the rights and freedoms of their people.


01000111
Posts: 6

Fascism in the Modern Age

I believe fascism manifests itself in society by starting off as a regular movement similar to any other. This movement slowly becomes more and more radical as it gains more popularity and power. The movement may begin as a “moderately far right” movement, however, over time, as more and more people join the movement, new regulations and ideas are added to the movement, making it become a far right movement like fascism. This may help identify movements that may become uncontrollable like that of the Nazi party. In “Populist, nativist, neofascist,” it describes parties that are not completely radical as “Parties that are only moderately far right, or whose positions have moderated over time, [and] may be described as borderline far right.” Due to the slow progression of the movement, fascism can be identified as soon as it was too late like with Germany since the Nazi party began as a political movement just like any other. The Nazi party even started off with only around 30% of the votes, however, it was able to grow into being the single popular ideology. As the party got more power, they slowly started implementing regulations, like the restrictions on Jews, in order to prepare and push for their future agenda. Thus, by somewhat tricking the public and not letting them see the full intentions, fascism can manifest in society as it can slowly become popular until it is unstoppable and inevitable in the society. Lastly, a motivating factor for the people’s support of a fascist government could be desperate times as what was seen in Germany where people were willing to turn fascist in order to leave the failed Weimar Republic behind and find hope for a better and stronger society in the future.Some characteristics that can be present in a fascist society includes the censorship of the mdia and the scapegoating and hatred of a single “common enemy.” These characteristics were viewed in several of the fascist regimes that were present around WWII like Benito Mussolini’s hatred for communists as well as the statue of his face, implying that the government was watching everything and everyone. Hitler also had these characteristics with his Genocide of the Jews who he thought were an “internal enemy” and were the cause of Germany’s defeat in WWI, as well as his censorship of the media and his restrictions on anybody speaking or saying anything bad about the government or himself. Furthermore, a characteristic that is very important and fundamental to a fascist society is the mythological past where the government argues that they want to bring their country back to when they were “great.” Furthermore, as well as the romanticism of the past, the government argues that their “greatness” was taken away from them by their enemies who are jealous of their people and want to get rid of them. This adds on to the sense of pride and militarism which is also present in fascist societies as people believe they are better than any other country or people and are influenced to hate any other country except theirs.

verose
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism can be understood as the stronghold of a powerful leader, using the people on which they hold control. It has been demonstrated to be a gradual movement, in which morals are altered, actions evolve in consequence, and the group-mind they are based upon solidifies through careful, “reasonable” moments. Fascism, above all, serves the purpose of one through the means of many, evolving into an institution that desires unfettered power and subservience. It requires a sort of hivemind among citizens, their ability to trust a leader for guidance and solutions without a doubt. The fascist leader urges that a battle is happening only they can help win, and that it is necessary to devote all attention and energy, and uses that very trust to convince the people to accept and obey this. It’s in this very way that fascism may seem appealing, when the leader addresses the stewing discontent or unease that has been left unaddressed for too long in a nation. By pinpointing a “problem,” no matter who or what it is, it identifies for citizens a target to unleash their frustrations, has them believe that if only this issue could be diminished, then all of their problems would leave with it, too. It is as dangerous as it is freeing, this control a fascist leader has on their people, as society becomes dedicated to the strong word of the person guiding them, ready to do what it takes to heed their whims. For those within this “in-group” -- this allegiance to the leader -- fascism seems like the answer to the problems, in which concerns or considerations are taken right out of the average citizen’s hands, and instead handled by a powerful figure that seems so much more capable, so much more knowledgeable. But for those that are left as the target, the other central component of fascism, that very same trust and respectability becomes a weapon of what is thought, said, and done to appease the leader. As “The Psychology of Fascism” from the Comparative Civilizations Review expresses, fascism is characterized as an “authoritarian patriarchal family structure” (3), in which a people, the “family,” are expected to live dutifully and without question under the rule of the central figure, the “father.” The Review suggests, then, that fascism is something of a be-all-end-all movement: it requires a stronghold on the society in which it dwells, creates a need to obey, and a fear of what will be done if one does not. But where the seeds of fascism may at first promise its own advantages, the level of superstition, surveillance, and suspicion that it requires in practice will ultimately create unease in a fascist society. It is this very need to obey, conflicting with the innate desire to lash out against the one that controls you, that so plays into the victimization of fascism. People under a fascist regime only turn further to the aforementioned target, convincing themselves that the consequences of fascism must be another symptom of the identified group still lingering. The Review phrased this as an “anger against the patriarchal home [that] is projected against the weaker group” (4). Fascism, then, is the amalgamation of human tension, foundations built on the desire to suppress, the institutionalized need to conform, and the total inability to rebel.

souljaboy
Boson, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism manifests itself in a society through the suppression of political oppression, oppression of citizens and their criticism, propaganda, and a militarized society. It manifests itself further through an “Us v. Them” mentality, extreme nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-semitism. Another way that it manifests is through putting all faith into the government. A fascism government manipulates its citizens and retains power through the oppression of the people, making them weaker over time. An increase in extreme nationalistic views by the people encourages fascist rule and an unhealthy amount of patriotism perseveres. In times of struggle, a purge or cleanse of society is especially wanted. Fascism strives for the societal cleanse and actively works towards that goal, gaining society’s attention.

The characteristics that must be present for a society to be considered fascist are tyrannical leaders like Hitler and Mussolini along with a government that has “authoritarian character”. A government with this idea has a need for authority, a belief in social Darwinism, and a more traditional style of society. The citizens in societies like these prefer conformism and believe that human life is at the mercy of super-personal forces. More common themes of fascism include: suppressing any political opposition, having oppressed citizens and ideas, no criticism zone, brainwash and propaganda and a militarized society. Another essential characteristic that needs to be present in a fascist society is hypernationalism.

The fascism ideology appeals to many people due to the need for guidance in a time of struggle. Usually, fascism prevails in societies where there is poor economy, social instability, and a fear of chaos inflicted by the government if they don’t accept the idea of fascism. The ideology usually causes some form of hysteria and through the fear of becoming an “Other” influences people to adapt to a more fascist society. On the other hand, fascism might not be genuinely appealing to many of the people in these communities. Facism could be so prevalent because of the brain manipulation instilled through propaganda and misconstrued ideals proposed by the government. It’s also important to note that both extremities are bad and that some people see fascism as optimal because it is better than a far left ideology.

There are currently nations that are experiencing what could be considered as a neo-fascist era. One of the most popular examples of a nation going through a neo-fascist era is America. While America is still very well a Democracy, it is slowly getting involved with fascist ideas and the neo-fascist themes become clearer. For example, the Neo-Nazi march in Ohio shows that citizens who support fascism are becoming more comfortable with portraying their ideas with volume. This and the extremely nationalistic south in America show how there can be a recognizable neo-fascist era. Along with this, there is racism, xenophobia, modern day bourgeois, and xenophobia. Another example of a neo-fascist government is Russia. We recognize how Russia is limiting freedom of speech, one of the main factors in fascism. On top of this, North Korea’s government is ultimately the most fascist and therefore relates to a neo-fascist era the most even though they’ve held the same ideas for a while.


succulentplant
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 7

Learning to Question Post 4: Fascism in the Modern Age

Fascism is able to manifest in society due to various reasons, including economic and political turmoil, widespread nationalism, and also propaganda. Before the rise of the Nazi party, Germany was facing great struggles economically due to the unfair and harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which were impossible to meet. Germany had to pay millions of dollars in reparations, forfeit overseas colonies, and also demilitarize. This all led to chaos and instability, which was the foundation for fascism to manifest. Additionally, another key element of the manifestation of fascism is propaganda. Propaganda is an effective way of manipulating and promoting beliefs. It is most effective when it reinforces ideas and beliefs people already believe and hold true. Furthermore, propaganda can take many different forms. It was commonly used to manipulate young audiences especially, as children are the easiest to influence, as they are susceptible to social pressures. Additionally, they make up the future generations and they would carry these beliefs with them throughout their entire lives, passing them on to their children. Another crucial component of fascism is a central leader possessing great charisma and charm. What makes fascism so appealing to so many is the feeling of being a part of something bigger, which ties into Mass Society Theory. Also, people want to feel as though they are a part of an “in-group,” that is superior and better than an “out-group,” tying into the idea of “us versus them.” Nationalism is also another important factor from which fascism can manifest. Nationalism is a deep passion for one’s country to the point of the belief of superiority in comparison to all other countries. Nationalism is a powerful force that can unite great numbers of people and foster a sense of identity for those who lack a strong view of themselves. My dinner table group went into deep discussion on whether or not the United States is currently experiencing a neo-fascist era. This is a hard topic to address, as fascism takes on many different forms and is so dependent on context. However, we concluded that the United States isn’t in a neo-fascist era, as all of the factors in which fascism manifests aren’t present. For example, the United States isn’t experiencing significant economic turmoil to the point of mass chaos and all citizens losing hope. The article Does American Fascism Exist? brings up a good point, stating that fascism isn’t a “living ideology—and never really was in the United States. No self-identified fascist is taken seriously in American society. There are no genuinely fascist op-ed columnists, no fascist TV commentators, no fascist celebrities, no fascist elected officials.” Additionally, we also discussed whether Trump can be considered a fascist leader or not. I believe that Trump does not fit all of the characteristics that make up a fascist leader, so therefore he can't be considered fascist. One characteristic I believe that Trump possesses is the “charm” to bring people together under a movement, which can be seen with the rise of MAGA.
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