learntoquestion ltq discussions

Originally posted by Dale on December 04, 2024 12:20

Fascism only develops in a society under certain conditions. Fascism requires extreme disapproval from the majority of the population in how the government is handling societal issues. Nazism only gained traction in Germany during heavy economic turbulence and under weak leadership that was not approved of by the majority of the German nation. This is how Hitler came to power. Ultimately, had there been no societal upset, the German people never would’ve resorted to the extreme terms of fascism. Democracy would’ve had more of a chance of survival had there been no economic issues in the country.

Some of the characteristics that must exist in a country for it to be fascist include a head of state and government that has the power to do anything they want. They’re above the law and have as much control over the law and decisions in the state as they want. In Germany, this was Hitler. He was the Führer and had dictatorial powers. Often, these states are military states that rule by means of violence on civilians from the military. Examples are the Gestapo and the SS. The nation that is being governed by fascism also must have a strong majority that loves the fascist leader. The leader must have the approval of their people and absolute power over them in order for the regime to be fascist. Extreme situations may even yield a “cult of personality,” or totalitarianism, in which many aspects of civilian life revolve around the leader. This occurred in Nazi Germany as well as the USSR.

Fascism is appealing to people because it serves a large majority of a population, offering solutions to their problems that the current regime doesn’t offer. Additionally, fascism often will pinpoint a scapegoat as the source of these problems, and the majority of the population isn’t a part of this outgroup that’s been labeled a scapegoat. In Germany, the scapegoats were primarily Jews and Communists. Most Germans were neither of these, and easily could be convinced through propaganda and fiery speeches that these groups were the roots of the existing problems in their country and needed to be eradicated. Propaganda and controlling of the media is one of the largest components of a successful fascist regime.

In order for a regime to be considered fascist, that regime must meet certain standards. Currently, there are no nations that meet the criteria that historically would have created breeding grounds for fascism or would have constituted a fascist regime. Many believe that the US is fascist because of the extreme support from a majority of the population for now president-elect and right-wing Donald Trump. However, this is not yet fascism and is not likely to become fascism because Donald Trump does not have complete power over the decisions in our country. There’s still many checks and balances that exist in the US and the societal upsets that exist currently don’t come close to matching those that existed in Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, Italy, or other nations.

The most compelling ideas in this post is the primary characteristics of a fascist regime. I agree that fascism must include an unrestrained head of state with dictatorial power, and I find it interesting how the contents of this post connected this trait with the paramilitary groups of Hitler’s Nazi regime, in which the members of the Gestapo and SS are participating in the reinforcement of Nazi ideology and the worship of their leader. It was intriguing to read about how in certain situations, fascism can be displayed in cults of personality, where the regime’s leader permeates several facets of civilian life and society. Furthermore, I agree with the post’s explanation for the appeal of fascism, and how people are drawn to this form of government due to how it serves a large majority of the population, forces blame onto scapegoats, and creates solutions for political, economic, and social issues. Although the post made good points about why the U.S. and other countries should not be classified as fascist, it could also touch on some of the early characteristics that different countries are currently experiencing that are similar to those witnessed in fascist regimes, such as anti-intellectualism and nationalism. It also made the argument that propaganda and media control are essentials for a successful fascist regime, yet it could explore how this idea might change in the current day, when information in all forms is extremely common in most countries, and media is becoming harder to completely regulate. Despite this, the post was well-written and particularly thought-provoking.

Originally posted by charsiu on November 27, 2024 09:12

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.

You did a really good job with explaining and analyzing the characteristics of fascism throughout your piece. One of the most compelling ideas was your take on fascism’s evolution over time and the fact that society creates new ideas over time, making it harder to really identify it as a fascist society. I agree with this because it highlights the problems and conflicts that come with political ideologies. I liked your connection of fascism from history and contemporary issues like scapegoating creating an interesting lens to think about modern day society. I liked your mention of ultranationalist because it ties good to historical insightful. Dehumanization and societal biases that were already created connects with Kenneth Feigenbaum’s criticism of ideas of anti-enlightenment. It might help when talking to create more analysis on how historical prejudices are manipulated by leaders and how they are able to increase and maintain their power because of their method.

I also liked your take on anti-intellectualism and your analysis of propaganda use, although you could make more comments on role of media in modern-day society and it’s impact. For example, you could mention that even though the government doesn’t necessarily control use of media anymore, a lot of misinformation on social media is displayed and becomes it’s own type of propaganda because it manipulates ideas of people. Overall, I really liked the examples that you included to prove your point, you did a resally good job of explaining your ideas.

Originally posted by PinkWaterbottle on December 04, 2024 14:07

Fascism manifests itself in society in a multitude of ways. Through propaganda, scapegoating, anti-intelligence, charismatic leadership, militarism, nationalism, and much more, a fascist society can develop, posing a threat to the community. According to The Psychology of Fascism, “The characteristics of Generic Fascism may include identity politics; the creation of a nationalistic authoritarian state; the positive evaluation of violence; the extreme stress on masculinity; the exalting of youth over other phases of life; an attack on individual thinking an egalitarianism; and an authoritarian, charismatic style of leadership.” The involvement of most, if not all, of the members of society, is required for Fascism to affect the state of the nation widely. Another factor of fascism includes repressing democracy by limiting free speech. Through the elimination of free speech, the beliefs and control of the authoritarian figure in the society cannot be tested or challenged, at least not without a severe punishment, sometimes involving death. In addition to this, fear grows and differing narratives diminish. I don’t believe there is a checklist to determine whether or not fascism exists within a society. Still, I think the characteristics that play a bigger role in its effectiveness are authoritarianism, propaganda, and anti-intellectualism. With this combination, the leader of power has absolute control over the society they, essentially, rule over. Fascism wouldn’t be as damaging to citizens without these factors. There are a couple of aspects of fascism that could be appealing to society. For example, if a society is suffering from economic instability, a strong, confident leader could provide people with hope, as they seek change. This, along with the charismatic leader theory, attracts citizens and encourages them to support this new, confident leader. Nationalism is another aspect of fascism that could captivate citizens. The thought of being prideful in one's nation is something that a lot of people would be interested in, and rightfully so. However, dangers become apparent when this becomes too extensive to the point where they look down on others and/or see others as enemies.

Many concepts discussed, like nationalism, propaganda, and charismatic leadership, can be seen in modern-day America. As seen through Trump’s election, the line “Make America Great Again” intends to put all of our trust into Donald Trump and romanticize the past. This can be harmful, as America’s past isn’t exactly known for the progressive strides we’ve reached today. In my opinion, it is accurate to say that Trump is a fascist. Sure, he doesn’t possess the same evils that Hitler did, or at least cannot fully express it, but he does have/promote certain aspects of fascism. The idolization of Trump, the misinformation spread throughout social media by Trump followers, and more directly contribute to his fascist-like campaign. Project 2025, allegedly the plan of the Trump organization for his term, contains multiple policies that aim to reverse the rights gained throughout America’s history and limit freedoms for some. However, no matter what aspirations the Trump campaign has for America, they cannot be passed freely due to America’s checks and balances system and constitutional rights. This cannot be said for countries like North Korea, whose citizens are going through situations where their rights can be legally taken from them.

I agree with the idea that propaganda, nationalism and a charismatic leader are all aspects of a fascist society. A fascist society wouldn’t be able to manifest if the public didn’t support it. Therefore, propaganda, nationalism and a charismatic leader are all necessary. In my post, I mentioned the use of propaganda to blind society of the reality of the nation. This will result in more public support for the leader and ultimately a society that the leader wants. The most compelling idea in this post is saying that Trump is a fascist. I agree with this idea because he does show signs of being a leader for fascism. However, this does not mean that the United States will become a fascist society. America today has much more free speech than those of the past, so a fascist society would be close to impossible. This goes back to another point this post has made, which was the suppression of the freedom of speech being an aspect of fascism. Since America has developed into a country where freedom of speech is encouraged, it is highly unlikely that one fascist leader can lead the entire country to fascism. As mentioned in this post and mine, North Korea is a better example of a fascist society because of the suppression of speech.

Originally posted by souljaboy on December 04, 2024 10:57

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.

For starters, great job with your LTQ response! I don’t have any suggestions related to the mechanical aspects or depth of the discussion. All of the points and ideas that you made were clear and thorough. I believe that one of the most compelling ideas that you propose is how you believe a neo-fascist era is slowly developing in America. You mention the Neo-Nazi march in Ohio, which I have not previously heard about and found appalling. I found this surprising as fascism as an ideology didn’t originate in America and is universally frowned upon. Additionally, I found your points on how fascism manifests in society interesting as well. I agree with the fact that fascism rises with the presence of hypernationalism, an “Us vs. Them” mentality, extreme hatred towards minority groups, propaganda, and a manipulative government that oppresses citizens. The most interesting of these elements is the “Us vs. Them” mentality. You mentioned how this is also what makes fascism so appealing to the masses, which I completely agree with. I also concur with the idea that people want to feel as if they are a part of something bigger than themselves and don’t want to be seen as an outsider or a “them.”

Originally posted by ClockRabbit1191 on December 04, 2024 21:44

In a country, Facism starts with a level of uncertainty and chaos. These two are the biggest factors in why Facism grows. If the government currently in power isn’t working people look to those who can take power and control the nation. This tends to be Fascist governments and this leads to many citizens finding Facism to be appealing as since they think it was better than the government before it’s overall a good thing to happen to them. Over time it slowly grows and grows until it’s fully engulfed the country. This has happened all over the world through the 1900s in countries like Germany, Cuba and Russia. Facism grows in society fast because of a few key characteristics, Kenneth Feigenbaum claims “The broadest approach to understanding fascism is a historical-ideological one which interprets fascism as part of a long-standing tradition in Western Civilization. It forms part of the anti-enlightenment tradition.” (Feigenbaum) Essentially Feigenbaum’s claim can imply another reason why Facism can grow so quickly, being that Facism has been in Europe for many years so it’s likely that it will come back.

There are a few main characteristics for a society to be considered fascist according to Kenneth Feigenbaum he claims these characteristics is, “The concept of a Fascist Personality, The Concept of the Fascist Character Structure, The Right-Wing Authoritarian, and The Authoritarian Personality.” (Feigenbaum) Facism has to have a single mind, meaning that there are no differing opinions and there’s one main idea that everyone must live under. Fascist leaders spread the idea and the people follow, there is no free will. Those in the country are oppressed and some might not even know it. A main characteristic is also a strong and charismatic leader who needs to be there or there will be no one to lead the people, and if different ideas are flying around about how the country should be run then there is not really any facism anymore. To maintain facism there must be a strong leader who can ease people and have them stop asking questions about their government. Another key factor as to what a nation has to be to be considered fascism is extreme nationalism. Nationalism is to have pride in one's country and this leads people to be overly nationalist to a point where they only really care about their country so they’ll do anything, including facism, to do what they think is best for the country. As previously stated facism has a massive appeal to those who live in these countries as how else would it be able to grow. People accept it usually when there is nothing else to go with as their country is going through a sort of chaos. These people look for a strong leader and government and this is where a fascist state can assume power. They are essentially showing their power over the people which in turn makes them look like a more powerful country leading to the people in it being relatively happy as they think that their country is now a big powerhouse.

This post has many strong points and ideas that explain the process and transformation in which fascism occurs. The most compelling idea is that a dictatorial government such as the Nazi Party can only occur when a country is under deep vulnerability, and desire someone to take the reins, feeling more secure with a strong and established leader. This rings true for many groups, and why some people are willing to follow a leader despite how intimidating their policies may become. The idea is also interesting because people are willing to be controlled or rely fully and be dependent on the government, which is a scary concept to think that can happen to citizens like us. An idea that many other posts touched upon is how one of the factors of fascism is nationalism and pride, where the strong desire to support a country may become violent and fascist. I talked about similar topics, where it could be related to the trauma inflicted by war or other tragic events tying to why people are aggressive in putting their country first, even hurting others around them in order to achieve that goal.

Finally, some suggestions I would add to improve the post expand on your first quote on how fascism has grown due to tradition, of the lack thereof, as an anti-enlightenment tradition, since I would’ve been curious to know what it meant to you. Other than that, this post had fascinating points backed up with evidence and quotations.

Originally posted by Dale on December 04, 2024 12:20

Fascism only develops in a society under certain conditions. Fascism requires extreme disapproval from the majority of the population in how the government is handling societal issues. Nazism only gained traction in Germany during heavy economic turbulence and under weak leadership that was not approved of by the majority of the German nation. This is how Hitler came to power. Ultimately, had there been no societal upset, the German people never would’ve resorted to the extreme terms of fascism. Democracy would’ve had more of a chance of survival had there been no economic issues in the country.

Some of the characteristics that must exist in a country for it to be fascist include a head of state and government that has the power to do anything they want. They’re above the law and have as much control over the law and decisions in the state as they want. In Germany, this was Hitler. He was the Führer and had dictatorial powers. Often, these states are military states that rule by means of violence on civilians from the military. Examples are the Gestapo and the SS. The nation that is being governed by fascism also must have a strong majority that loves the fascist leader. The leader must have the approval of their people and absolute power over them in order for the regime to be fascist. Extreme situations may even yield a “cult of personality,” or totalitarianism, in which many aspects of civilian life revolve around the leader. This occurred in Nazi Germany as well as the USSR.

Fascism is appealing to people because it serves a large majority of a population, offering solutions to their problems that the current regime doesn’t offer. Additionally, fascism often will pinpoint a scapegoat as the source of these problems, and the majority of the population isn’t a part of this outgroup that’s been labeled a scapegoat. In Germany, the scapegoats were primarily Jews and Communists. Most Germans were neither of these, and easily could be convinced through propaganda and fiery speeches that these groups were the roots of the existing problems in their country and needed to be eradicated. Propaganda and controlling of the media is one of the largest components of a successful fascist regime.

In order for a regime to be considered fascist, that regime must meet certain standards. Currently, there are no nations that meet the criteria that historically would have created breeding grounds for fascism or would have constituted a fascist regime. Many believe that the US is fascist because of the extreme support from a majority of the population for now president-elect and right-wing Donald Trump. However, this is not yet fascism and is not likely to become fascism because Donald Trump does not have complete power over the decisions in our country. There’s still many checks and balances that exist in the US and the societal upsets that exist currently don’t come close to matching those that existed in Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, Italy, or other nations.

After reading the post , the author had made very interesting points especially when regarding the conditions necessary for a fascist society to manifest. The author explains how in order for a fascist society to begin there had to be a pre existing societal issues that would result in the disapproval of the majority, which would account for the acceptance of fascist society. I agree with the author's point since there is a evident desire for change when there is a non functional society. This has been clearly seen with the overwhelming frustration of the citizens of the Weimar Republic due to their global humiliation and severe hyperinflation after signing of the treaty of Versailles. I value the author's point of view when considering how an extreme fascist society would not occur in Nazi Germany if the circumstances were different. When regarding where in present day do we see fascist society the author of the post mentions that the US is not fascist nor displays fascist characteristics. The author provides insight on both sides while talking about how some can see how it may be fascist, then provides helpful evidence on why they think it is not as they mention the checks and balances in place to prevent a fascist society within the US. Overall I think this is very well written and the author provides a very well written insight.

Originally posted by everlastingauroras on December 02, 2024 09:33

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.

A compelling aspect of this person’s post is their depth and examples of reasons that support their takes on fascism. I agree with their ideas and how American society is taking a step closer to fascism. I think that it’s interesting because it seems to be a somewhat universal agreement that America is taking a step toward fascism. There are ideas in my post that relate to this person’s post including the examples of other fascist countries like North Korea. My own views are similar to this person’s post because I also agree with them that many people in America are upset with the path that the government is taking. Many negative actions go unnoticed in society and influence more people to do similar things. I also agree with the claim that people fall for this type of government due to manipulation, similar to what is seen in North Korea. The “Us vs. Them” mentality and disgust towards South Korea reflected within America. We see groups of people who dislike each other simply because of things that they can’t control. I don’t think that there are any mechanical suggestions that could improve the post, but it could use some depth and more analysis in some areas of the post. Altogether, the points made in the post were clear and cohesive.

Originally posted by cactus on December 03, 2024 13:30

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.

Post your response here.

This post was very compelling as it highlighted a couple of key points I also talked about, and ones I did not. I specifically thought the connection between Weimar Germany and Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again was interesting because I completely did not see that parallel. I fully agree with this writer’s viewpoint that there are many similarities between Weimar Germany and the Trump administration such as the glorification of a better past, marginalization of a singular or certain group, and the appointment of specific strong standing leaders. I also agree with the stance that we are on our way to Neo-fascism, but not quite there yet, as I do think America’s checks and balances system is still holding strongly in place, and Trump’s administration has not made outrageous policies into place yet.

I found the discussion about the psychology of fascism in the second paragraph to be interesting as well. This writer argues that propaganda plays on the uneducated, and allows government manipulation of the mass ideology. They also state how this is how fascist leaders gain support and grow as leaders, but that the US would never be a fascist regime because our country is highly educated and civilized. This is where I disagree with the writer, because although I do know we live in a very educated and privileged country, I also think that propaganda has the ability to spread lies within anyone. We can see this through certain minority groups that support the Trump campaign, though it is hypocritical, or in the turning ideas of political officers. Also, I think it is important to acknowledge that there are large portions of our country that are ill-educated, and though modern, not at all progressive. It is there that propaganda is able to gain a lot of following. In conclusion I think fascism is just as much a threat to the US as it is in other less privileged, less educated, and less modern countries.

Originally posted by slaughterhouse5 on December 04, 2024 19:12

Fascism manifests in a society for a variety of factors. Similar to the concepts we learned about in unit one, there are many psychological reasons: desire to fit into a group and conform, desire for the strong emotions that come with this type of society, in addition to the increased feelings of self-esteem, strength, and masculinity. These three things also connect to characteristics of fascist societies. Focus on military and traditional gender roles, as well as the strong belief that the nation is supreme among others (and the extreme nationalism that comes with this), are factors that define fascist societies. Being part of this type of nation can conjure feelings of supremacy and greatness, which is something that many desire, especially in circumstances where the country was suffering before. This is one reason why World War I led to Hitler’s rule. Because the country was broken and struggling, they longed for a sense of power, and saw this in his fascist leadership. This is something that confused me when thinking about the possibility of considering Trump a fascist, because there was not a recent event similar to World War I in this country that would lead to this type of leadership. However, some things remain similar - people still desire being part of a supreme and powerful country. In “The Psychology of Fascism” by Kenneth Feigenbaum, he states “These ‘traits’ lead to denigrating women and to the desire for a militarized, super organized ideal and a desire to humiliate others.” This goes back to the patterns of strength, manliness, and militarism I mentioned before. Some could say that supremacy of the leader is not a necessary characteristic of fascism because there were societies in which the fascist leaders didn’t have a sizable portion of the citizens in support of them, and yet they were still fascist. I would argue against this point and say that “supremacy of the leader” can be interpreted in a different way: rather than the percentage of the country that supports that leader, it is more about the intensity of the support that the leaders have. The supporters of fascist leaders tend to disregard their flaws, see them as perfect, and never question their decisions. This blind support is necessary for fascist leaders’ rise to power as they increase the intensity of their policies. This is one characteristic that is present in modern-day America when it comes to Trump: the intense loyalty to him. Just like this aspect, there are many ways in which Trump is similar to some other fascists, but it is so hard to compare because fascism looks different in every society, time period, and culture. One could argue that accusing people of fascism no longer achieves anything because it is a term that many people have different definitions of. Some could say that you need a certain amount of characteristics, some could say that the severity of the characteristics is the deciding factor - when there is not a solid definition, the term means very little.

Originally posted by purplekiwi on December 04, 2024 12:17

Fascism manifests in a society because of a myriad of reasons, but it always includes a charismatic, authoritarian leader and the general unhappiness of a society. Fascism sprouts from the discontent and want of better for people in a society, that’s why fascist societies often come about after wars or other large negative events. After WWI the German public felt hopelessly abandoned by their government and were left resentful of their situation. They were lied to throughout the entirety of the war and blindsided by their nation’s loss and the Treaty of Versailles. They plummeted into economic strife and faced hardship for years as the inflation rose astronomically. Poor people, which often included war veterans, couldn’t even afford bread and food while the rich enjoyed life and faced no troubles. Fascism came to arise in Germany because to Germans, it would provide the push they needed to get their country back to some semblance of normal. Fascism was appealing to them because it made them feel like they had a say in their government and that they were cared about. It also is appealing because fascism usually starts off in a democracy and fascist leaders are elected by the people. To them the Nazi’s cared about the poorer majority and wouldn’t leave them in the dark, in the way that they had been deceived by the leaders of the Weimar Republic. The focus on community was also a big part of the appeal because that would help lessen the clear divide between the rich and poor by forcing more unity through the group rallies.

Another fascist characteristic is an obsession with the past and wanting to return to their “former glory”. The Nazi’s appealed to the German public by promising them a return to a better Germany of the past. Hitler used the pride of the German people and convinced them that under the Nazi’s things would improve. Before WWI Germany was in a good spot economically and Hitler promised to return them to a prosperous era under his rule. Hitler was able to be so convincing as a leader because of his authoritarian personality and public speaking skills. Hitler was a very good public speaker and knew how to talk to people in order to make the Nazi’s appealing. He was able to rally together a large number of people within his political party, but then forced his ideas onto the rest of the public after he took power. Yet another characteristic of fascist societies is the involvement of youth. We saw this with Mussolini and the youth groups for boys that were involved in the party. This was also present in Nazi Germany in the education system which they used to influence the youth to their benefit. It is easier to influence the youth because they haven’t formulated their own thoughts and ideals yet, so fascist leaders used that to their advantage. For example the Nazi book burning in 1933 was heavily facilitated by German college students as they fully believed and were committed to Nazi ideals.

Although fascism is treated as an idea of the past it is still present in modern societies. For example, In Iran people live under a fascist regime that they never expected as a possible reality. They weren’t worried about their future because they didn’t think it could happen. This relates to the current fear of fascism within the US. After the recent election of Trump as president many people are worried that fascism could take root due to the many similarities “between contemporary American populism and fascism—their shared racism, reliance on the petit bourgeois, hypernationalism, and xenophobia—”. Some people see this as the start of American fascism and think that we may become a neo-fascist state ourselves.

First off, this is an extremely well written piece about fascism, with the explanation of how it takes place being for the most part the most compelling and interesting part of the LTQ. Mostly everything you said for that part, I completely agree with, and many other people said the same thing. For how fascism arises there seems to be a consensus that it starts with a strong lovable leader and an unhappy country at the root. I completely agree with this take. However, the way it's delivered leaves gaps here and there. There is an extreme focus on Germany, when in reality, Italy played just as pivotal a role in the globalization of fascism, as did Spain, and they often get overlooked, just because Germany was the most Fascinating Regime, and you played into this the same amount. Another interesting Idea that you brought up was the prevalence of fascism today, and the hint that the U.S. could possibly go down the same path as Iran , and that fascism starts gradually. However, theres some key differences that I feel I have to bring up, because at the end of the day, every country is Unique, and the U.S. is no different. In most fascist regimes past and present there is extreme discontent in the Country, and a volatile situation with either its own environment or the neighboring countries. While the U.S. is definitely discontent to some degree, we are nowhere near where Germany, Italy or Spain were coming into WW2. We have no regional disputes for the most part, and if our freedoms get taken away slowly, there would most likely be another civil war, not a controlled populace. This is because Germany mostly fully supported the Nazis, and those who didn't werre the minority. In the U.S., the country is split relatively evenly between Rep and Dem, so if Trump decides to branch out into fascism, or go for a 3rd term and take away American freedoms, he would not only immediately have 50% of the country against him, but also lose a chunk of his own fanbase who aren't radical supporters. It would make a takeover of the country, I believe, logistically impossible. Aside from your modern Fascism argument, I agree with everything else you say, and believe it's well written. For the points you are trying to get across and believe in, theres no better way to write it and I don't have more feedback on how you should write.

Originally posted by everlastingauroras on December 02, 2024 09:33

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.

I agree with your ideas about the societies in which fascism often manifests itself. From what we have seen throughout history, fascism is most often seen in societies that are already experiencing extreme turmoil with people who are desperate for change. The sole, charismatic leader that offers them this change provides them an escape from the turmoil that they had been living in, and they blindly follow that, sometimes not even realizing that it is heading in the direction of fascism. I also really like your ideas about aspects of fascism existing in America, although America is not a fascist society. Throughout the most recent election, specifically, we heard a lot of people saying that their vote was not because they necessarily liked the candidate they were voting for, but because they liked the other candidate less. Like you said, America is not immune to fascism, nor is any other nation in the world. Many times fascist societies grow before the people even realize what is happening, and by that point it is too late. Control of the media and the spread of ideas is also a key aspect of fascist society and I like that you touched on that in your description of North Korean Neo-fascism. Many people are manipulated into a fascist society and they do not even realize it while it is happening, which is happening around the world and has been seen throughout history.

Originally posted by succulentplant on December 04, 2024 11:01

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.

I strongly agree that fascism was able to take form because of political, economic, and social struggles. The limitations placed upon Germany following World War I were great influences over the structure of German society. Similarly, many other peers mentioned these factors of the Weimar Republic to be a driving force of fascism. A great point that you made was the importance of propaganda in Germany and how it really affected the minds of those living there. I didn't think much about the effects of propaganda as much as the economy and this insight opened up my perspective on how propaganda brought up people's spirits and gave them a cause to believe in. I also liked how you included psychological theories like "Us vs. Them" and how that led to the establishment of more fascist followers. Since these people were lost and hopeless, seeing depictions of themselves as heroes and winners would've turned them into proud fascists. Another thing in this post that spoke to me was the discussion of neo-fascism in the United States. I agree that the United States is not in a neo-fascist era as Trump is not a fascist leader. I think he shares many characteristics of a fascist leader but the United States is in a place where he cannot gain full control of the government.

Originally posted by TheGreatGatsby on December 01, 2024 15:47

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.

Something I found very compelling in TheGreatGatsby’s post was the incorporation of “broader” details -- mentioning how economic instability in the Weimar Republic, as well as the historic roots of antisemitism, contributed to the rise of fascism within Germany. It provided a more dimensional analysis of what this movement is, not only listing attributes but also explaining how something so dire can become so appealing within society. I do agree with many of the ideas that you presented, such as how fascism, at its core, revolves around the victimization of one group to lift up the pride and security of another. I do, however, disagree with your stance on the presence of neo-fascism in America. I absolutely agree that there are threats to the equality and betterment of marginalized groups in this country, but to suggest that this alone is the presence of fascism feels like discrediting both the “modern” threat to people simply living their lives, and the observed fascist eras of the past. They are, in my opinion, two different spheres of concern, and, as things stand right now, accrediting them to one another just seems a bit misguided. I do of course agree that the conditions of our socio-political climate are important to monitor, and that there could very well be a further deviation from the institutions and society that we know today. Overall, you offered some very enlightening ideas that definitely got me thinking.

Originally posted by souljaboy on December 04, 2024 10:57

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.

I think the most interesting idea in my peer’s post was the bit about Nationalism. I also slightly talked about that in mine but I like the claim that “an unhealthy amount of patriotism perseveres.” I find this interesting as patriotism is a cause of facism because the idea of it is stronger than most. I agree with this idea because I also believe that patriotism is a factor in the lead up to facism in a nation but it’s not the only one. We share a similar idea in that there needs to be some form of chaos and uncertainty that leads to Facism which will cause people to look for a stable form of government. This person also mentioned that a poor economy can lead to facism which I agree with as I think it is similar to a sort of chaos in the country. If people can’t eat then they look to those who can feed them and those people are usually the fascist leader in the government or at least that’s what they tell them. I tend to agree with this person on their ideas of facism as they mention how countries who are neo-fascist limit free speech. I think free speech tends to be mentioned a lot because if they can’t speak freely they can’t oppose the government. I am wondering how people don’t find facism appealing in these areas where there is so much propaganda that I feel it’s impossible to not follow everyone else.

Originally posted by Fahrenheit.jr. on December 03, 2024 21:36

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.

This post was extremely well written, with engaging sentences, and it is clear the writer has a true knowledge of what a fascist society consists of. The most compelling idea was the fact that fascism is mostly focused towards people in society who feel alienated, or different. They explained how fascism is exploiting fears, such as loss, loneliness, and security imbalance. I thought the word exploiting was very informative because it describes a new viewpoint of what fascism is. It really centers around the fact that fascist ideologies are not for the people, but against them. I did talk about something similar, and how propaganda was the way the government exploited those fears. I agree with the statement, and I also can say that the people in a fascist society are not able to speak for themselves, with the ideas of these fears at hand, and the repercussions that they could face if they did speak up. I also thought that the examples brought up about Italy were very interesting, and important because it is easy to lose sight of the news of other countries while we are so focused on the downfall of ours, that we miss important information, and I am happy I learned about this.