learntoquestion ltq discussions

Originally posted by anonymous on November 24, 2025 13:08

Facism is generally defined not by a single characteristic but by various political, social, and cultural traits that reinforce one another. Most agree that the following elements are part of a fascist society: ultranationalism rooted in a mythic identity, a strong centralized authoritarian leader, suppression of dissent and free thought, militarization and the glorification of violence, propaganda-driven control of information, scapegoating of minority groups, and collective “good” being prioritized over individual rights. Of these characteristics the greatest threat to the ordinary citizen comes from the combination of authoritarianism and scapegoating. When a regime blames vulnerable groups for national problems and at the same time demands complete loyalty to a leader or party, then ordinary citizens may become targets of persecution or even complicit enforcers of the regime. Because Facism has often been associated with an emergence in societies facing economic instability, social change, or feelings of humiliation over national decline, facism has easily found acceptance in certain conditions. Leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler promised order, unity, and revival when democratic institutions seemed incapable of overcoming crises. Facism appealed emotionally though providing answers in simple terms, through strong leadership, and with the reassurance of restoring greatness. Debates about whether the United States or other modern day nations exhibit characteristics of historical fascist societies should be treated carefully. While the U.S. is not currently a fascist nation, certain elements that resemble early stage fascist tendencies can be observed. These include: rising political polarization, demonization of opponents as existential threats, a us vs them mentality, conspiracy driven distrust in institutions, the elevation of strongman political figures, and the use of nationalist rhetoric that divides society into “real citizens” and “outsiders”. These traits are appealing to so many because they provide clarity in a complex world. People facing uncertainty in their economic, cultural, or technological lives may gravitate toward leaders who promise simple solutions and a return to imagined stability. However, the current climate of the U.S. distinctly differs from past fascist societies in many ways, most notably the resilient democratic institutions such as separation of powers, freedom of the press, active civil society, and regular competitive elections which make it more difficult for any one leader or movement to consolidate absolute power. Instead, American political identity is not cohesive but instead fractious, pluralistic, and composed of an array of social movements whose resistances to authoritarian cohesion should not be discounted. No single party controls the military, media, education systems, or judiciary as was the case in 1930s Europe. The US however is not immune to fascist ideology. Democracies decay when citizens become disengaged, institutions erode, or political actors succeed in normalizing extreme rhetoric. In history, fascism grew in democratic societies that underestimated its appeal until it was too late. That's a risk that makes civic awareness essential. Finally, right wing movements are not fascist by nature. Conservatism in its traditional form limits government to protect individual liberty and gradual change instead of authoritarian rule. Labeling all conservative ideas as fascist is inaccurate, however conservative movements that become more and more extreme will naturally drift to Facism as it is the only thing that exist when a rightwing movement becomes extreme past conservatism.

The most compelling idea in your post is that the United States' democracy is built with checks and balances that make it really resilient to fascism. I hadn't thought of this, and I don't know how other countries' democracies are built, but you're right that the US's system was constructed specifically for the purpose of avoiding having one leader. It is also without a doubt stronger than the Weimar Republic's democracy. However, in Germany, many acts were legally signed by the president following the Reichstag Fire that explicitly gave away some of the rights you name, such as freedom of the press, and allowed Hitler to be dictator for four years, bypassing the election process. Taking power after emergencies is often how authoritarian governments form, such as how Marcos became a dictator after declaring martial law in the Philippines. However, I definitely agree that the US's government and overall culture are very resistant to letting this happen, from how all three government branches are able to block each other to how there are always large numbers of people resisting the person in power, rather than the whole country hailing them.

I also like how you emphasize civil awareness and being actively engaged in politics, rather than giving up on democracy as the main ways to fight fascism. I think it's important to remember that one of the key elements of fascism is that the people do not have power, so as long as we fight for our ability to vote and dissent freely, we are fighting fascism.

Fascism is a term that often makes you think of 1900s totalitarian regimes, but are there any signs of its core characteristics existing in the United States or other modern societies today? Fascism is an idea that is widely considered to be dead in this day and age, but in reality it is a collection of social and political tendencies that we can still see show up today. By analyzing the political landscape that we currently experience in the US we can identify and understand aspects of these characteristics and really see why they still have any modern appeal. Understanding if fascist characteristics are present isn't easy, but starting with what these characteristics are would help. In Umberto Eco’s essay, “ur-Fascism” there is a framework for what these fascist ideas are. He says that fascism isn’t a single definable thing but an idea defined by 14 certain overlapping features. These 14 features include, the cult of tradition, the rejection of modernism, the cult of action for action's sake, disagreement is treason, fear of difference, appeal to social frustration, the obsession with a plot, the enemy is both strong and weak, pacifism is trafficking with the enemy, contempt for the weak, everybody is educated to become a hero, machismo and weaponry, selective populism, ur-Fascism speaks Newspeak. A few of these features are present in the United States current political climate. The continuous growth of strong nationalist and nativist sentiment, is a representation of Eco’s “fear of difference.” The targeting of immigrant or minority groups, saying that they are the “other” and that they are to be feared directly connects to this idea. On top of this there is clear “selective populism” as more and more political leaders bypass traditional media appealing to their base. They will put themselves out there as the true voice of the people against some conspiracy which manifests Eco’s idea of “obsession with a plot.” This goes along with pronounced anti-intellectualism, where many experts in their fields are criticized or dismissed as being “fake news.” The reason that these characteristics still appeal to today's politics is the same reasons they appeared in previous times. Fascist ideas come from frustration whether individual or social. When part of a time that faces many challenges economically, with change in culture, as well as a loss of status many people feel that they have been left in the dust by the “globalist elites. Fascist ideas are straight forward and simple giving way to quick and easy solutions to these problems. It is a sort of escape from the true, but complex solution, promising to return to tradition. Having this sort of nostalgic promise of a return to tradition and what once was, similar to the “Make America Great Again” movement of today and having a strong voiced leader who understands the issues his supporters care about, like Donald Trump does, can be very intriguing to those who have lost faith in current politics. Even though the US isn’t close to being a one-party fascist state, it isn’t fully immune to the ideas of fascism seeping in here and there. This can be dangerous, but as of now is manageable.

Originally posted by Thequeen3 on November 25, 2025 09:41

I think that some characteristics that need to be there, in order to be considered fascist is traditionalism, modernism, and a sense of nationalism. I think that with nationalism, the leader needs to be very proud in their country. This will help convince the people of that nation that their leader wants a unified country. Even though being a nationalist is not as bad as other characteristics, I do believe that it can turn into one of the most dangerous to ordinary people. Big pride in your country can create a division in it. It typically tends to create a “us vs. them” aspect in the country, turning people against each other. Traditionalism is another useful characteristic for fascist leaders. It helps those leaders create their authority which can help them manipulate people to their traditional values. Elitism also helps leaders enable their decisions. I think that fascism was so easily accepted in society because it gave the answers that a lot of people wanted to hear, in such times of difficulties and hardships. This was because many countries are already distressed and unstable. It also started to give many a place to run to, with a sense of community after the war occurred.

Yes, I personally do believe that the U.S. is starting to develop more characteristics of fascist societies. But, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is completely fascist. In the U.S. we do have “leader”(aka our president), which fits the fascist aspects, but as citizens, many people don’t centralize themselves around them. What also makes our society similar is that our “leader” claims to be nationalist about our country. Nationalism I think is a big part of fascism, and taking pride in your country is what many people look for. I think that it is also easy for citizens to conform to their “leaders” of society. I think that certain characteristics of fascism are appealing to people today because of traditionalism. A lot of people now who have certain values, tend to learn into going back to the U.S.’s traditional way. For example many southerners now want that traditional value back in the U.S. This includes people wanting to become stay at home parents again. This necessarily isn’t a bad thing, but it is the fact that we are trying to age backwards in society. I also think that now many people are starting to become more and more openly prejudiced today.

I think that our society isn’t immune, but also isn’t gullible enough to just turn into a country with a big fascist ideology. I think that the U.S has a big division politically, and with this it will be hard I think to convince each side. I think that political movements aren’t inherently fascist. I do think that some of these movements are heavily influenced by traditionalist values. I also think that society plays a big role in it. This is because many people learn about things from social media, which will most likely would make others want to conform to other peoples ideas.

The most compelling idea in this post (Thequeen3), is the sense of pride created with nationalism in fascist communities. It relates back to our Unit I topic of an “Us vs. Them” mentality in which the bias nation believes they are superior in comparison to other nations. This post also mentions the facile acceptability of fascism in society being attributed to the wants of many citizens being found in fascist ideology. The ideas presented by fascist leaders were often simple, easy to understand, and straightforward. In a time of distress like World War II, these leaders gave their people a reason to believe in their government, regardless of the morality of their actions or the course in which they would partake for the next several years. This post is similar to many of my ideas, specifically the question related to the US. I mainly believe, like my peer, that the US is not completely fascist but that there are present characteristics being represented in the US system. One of these characteristics is the leader, who claims to be nationalist about our country. There is also this sense of traditionalism, embracing the ways of the past specifically within Southerners. I think that the long history of segregation and racism is too heavy to simply allow for such institutions to take place. However, on the other hand, the US is filled with diversity and culture. Nowadays, most are not afraid to openly criticize the government and its actions. In all ways, fascism is very nuanced in its adaptable conditions to the societies it presents itself in.

Understanding how fascism works requires looking closely at the conditions under which societies were placed to allow it to rise. Based on what we discussed in class, fascist societies almost always begin in moments of turmoil and uncertainty. People feel insecure and fearful, or disconnected from the institutions that are supposed to protect them. Instability creates a perfect opening for a leader skilled enough to manipulate a crowd and convince them that only they are capable of restoring order. Robert Paxton, in The Anatomy of Fascism, explains that fascism grows when people begin to believe that “solutions must come from a leader capable of heroic action,” rather than through democratic processes. This reliance on a single, influential figure is one of the first signs that a society is drifting toward fascism. Another essential characteristic of fascism is its reliance on propaganda. The simplified world view that divides people into "us" and "them". Fasims relies on intentionally simplified thinking. In class, we talked about the "simplistic us and them mindset: which is extremely dangerous. Fascist leaders blame outsiders, such as immigrants and political opponents, for turmoil within a nation. This makes ordinary people more willing to accept discrimination or violence as a means of protection. The media also plays a significant role in the spread of propaganda, and historically, this has been one of the main tools of fascist governments to control how people think. Real news is discredited and replaced with messaging designed to produce fear and anger. This reinforces the argument that managing information is not optional for fascists; it's essential. Once a society loses its shared understanding of truth, individuals lose the ability to resist. Today, many nations like the US display early signs that remind us of the conditions fascism once thrived i. We are faced with so much political polarization within our parties that it's so hard to find a common ground. There is so much uncertainty and mistrust within our government. The govern,ent has become unreliable with the spread of misinformation. The US is not a fascist country, but it would be naive to ague that democraccy makes use immunite. The danger lies within the extrmeists but also with oridinary citixients refusing to reconzise these signs and accept extrmee ideas durring times of fear.

Originally posted by forest-hills-station39 on November 25, 2025 13:19

One of the most key signs that a society is descending into Fascism is anti-intellectualism. The book burnings, the denial of freedom of the press, and the shunning of so-called academic elites in favor of simple solutions are all symptoms of this underlying anti-intellectualism that goes along with the rise of Fascism. Simple answers can be very appealing; it’s an easier reality to accept that Germany was betrayed by Jewish people than to believe that they simply lost WWI because their “glorious empire” was outmatched, and that all those deaths meant nothing in the end. There is also the fact that an uneducated public is a public that is easier to control and influence. Those who are uneducated are more susceptible to propaganda and falsified news, for instance. Also important is the obsession with a mythical, almost utopic past that the society in question must return to. Hitler had the Holy Roman Empire, Mussolini had the Roman Empire, Franco had the Spanish Inquisition, and other historical Fascist leaders weaponized some mythical past to further their own ideologies. Ur-Fascism by Umberto Eco talks about how modern-day Fascists are drawing on the symbolism of celtic mythology to further propagate and support their own beliefs, showing further how Fascists co-opt the past to support their movements. And, of course, there is the Great Leader. All mass movements need a great, inspiring leader, as do all Fascist movements. To some extent, I think all three of these factors are present in modern US society. For instance, there has been a recent surge in anti-intellectualist thinking, especially online. Part of this comes in the devaluation of the arts: I’ve seen many people not willing to engage with the themes and deeper messages of media like books and television shows out of the belief that it’s “not that deep” and that rhetorical analysis has no purpose. There is also the tendency to distrust scientists and educators, such as with vaccine hesitancy. Almost every scientist agrees that vaccines (specifically the COVID and MMR vaccines, which are the two most often under scrutiny) are completely safe, and are in fact life saving. Yet, there are millions of people who ignore these intellectuals to instead get their information from people who, frankly, have no idea what they’re talking about (Joe Rogan and disgraced former doctor Andrew Wakefield, to name a few). This demonstrates a pervasive anti-intellectual attitude in the United States. In terms of the other factors, I’ve already touched on how Ur-Fascism talks about how modern Fascists draw on European mythologies to depict themselves as trying to return to a glorious past that simply doesn’t exist, but even more generally, think about what “Make America Great Again” means. The MAGA movement (which, just to be clear, I am not calling Fascist; merely pointing out traits it shares with Fascism) clings to this ideal of Americana, often envisioning Manifest Destiny or the economic boom of the 50s and 60s. But those time periods were not “great” for all people. Black Americans were under brutal segregation and Jim Crow laws during the 60s, and Native Americans lost almost all their land and a massive percentage of their population due to the violent acts of white settlers during Manifest Destiny. And yet, the flaws in this mythical past are overlooked in favor of phishing forward their ideology. Finally, there is a disconcerting trend in modern American politics about the deification of politicians. Politicians are people; you are supposed to criticize them when they make mistakes, yet there are some people who stick so firmly to certain politicians that they must follow every word they say and stop thinking for themselves. This is most apparent, of course, with President Trump, but he is not the first president with an extremely devoted follower base. Of course, Trump is not Hitler; he does not have absolute power, however the level of utter devotion some people have towards him, including calls for him to have an unconstitutional, third term should be a cause for concern. No society is immune to Fascist ideology. In fact, the naive belief that “it could never happen here” only makes it more likely that it will. It is necessary, then, to be constantly on the look out for these Fascist traits, and many like them, to ensure that Fascism in America is nipped at the bud before it can ever truly take root.

I find it compelling that this person wrote about how the most telling sign of a fascist society is “anti-intellectualism”. I find a lot of validity in this perspective, and it makes sense that this person may liken a lot of aspects of United States politics to Fascism. I personally agree with the belief that anti-intellectualism is fundamental in the formation of a fascist society, and that the examples of Covid and the MAGA movement greatly demonstrate how the United States is inching close to Fascism. The Covid example specifically is one that is definitely worrisome, as it’s the active denial of scientific research and studies in order to heighten government distrust. This also highlights a hypocrisy within the MAGA movement that is Fascist in nature, with the MAGA movement criticizing the legitimacy of the Covid-19 Virus whilst blindly believing Trump’s baseless claims that autism is linked to Tylenol. I also agree with the point that Trump is glorifying the troubled past of the United States, using terminology that relates to the “Manifest Destiny” ideologies of the 19th century. It’s especially troubling because the Manifest Destiny ideology manipulated religion in order to justify the genocide and forceful displacement of Native Americans. Overall, I found that I agree with the majority of what this person had to say, and I wouldn’t want to change anything about what was written.

Originally posted by DiaryoftheSillyKid on November 25, 2025 10:43

Fascism is defined by multiple important characteristics that distinguish it from other authoritarian regimes. At its core, fascism requires absolute centralized power, usually in a single leader, and strict control of media and culture. It needs extreme nationalism, which is often connected to myths of racial or religious roots, and also relies on militarism and the idolization of violence as tools for unity. Economic life is usually led by the state as well. The most dangerous characteristics for ordinary people are the undermining of civil liberties and the use of fear and propaganda to silence political disagreement. When free speech and minority protections are taken away, individuals lose the ability to resist or question authority. This creates a climate where persecution and violence against vulnerable groups can often occur, threatening the safety of everyday civilians. Fascism was often accepted in past societies because its initial cause promises order, stability, and the regaining of national pride during times of hardship and crisis. Economic depression and political fragmentation made populations more willing to embrace the strong leadership of a charismatic leader. Propaganda paints fascism as a solution to chaos, and many people who need economic and political security often overlook its destructive consequences in the long run. Jon Henley, a European correspondent on the "Populist, nativist, neofascist? A lexicon of Europe’s far right"Article says, “Authoritarianism is 'the belief in a strictly ordered society' in which infringements are 'punished severely.” Understanding authoritarian regimes helps us as humans recognize them before it is too late and end them immediately.

Some nations today exhibit characteristics that rhyme with historic fascist societies, though not always to the full extent. In the United States and other nations, things like intense nationalism and polarity in government show signs seen in fascist regimes. The glorification of national identity, connected with the persecution of smaller minorities, shows the fascist native that fascism historically needed to become a thing. Additionally, the spread of propaganda and disinformation through social media has connections to the controlled media environments in the past. The characteristics most visible today show authoritarian tendencies, like when leaders seek to expand power in the executive branch, and the accruing of minority groups to gain support for a cause. These traits are dangerous because they take away democratic safeguards and normalize intolerance, which creates divisions that weaken social cohesion. Certain aspects of fascism remain appealing because they promise simple answers for complex problems. When people feel overwhelmed by economic, cultural, or political chaos, the need for strong leadership and a clear national identity is heightened, and provides comfort for these people. Fascism gives a sense of belonging and order, even when freedom is at risk.

The current situation in the United States is different from historical fascist societies, but different things can rhyme with certain traits of fascism. Unlike fascist regimes in this day and age, the US still remains primarily democratic, which includes free elections, separation of powers, and constitutional protections for speech and assembly. Fascist societies have eliminated these things and are usually under the centralized power of one person or a small group of people. This is different in the US because the voices of every citizen play a huge part in our politics. Even though our democracy is very strong, it is not immune to fascism and fascist ideology. Fascism thrives in times of fear and instability, which are very common in the United States, whether that be economically, politically, socially, or culturally. The need for strong leadership and nationalism can lead to democratic unrest, especially during times of chaos. While the US has predictions against this, history shows that no system is entirely immune to authoritarian regimes if its institutions are weakened. The US differs from historic fascist societies because its institutions stay intact, but care is necessary. Fascist ideology can seem good to people today by determining the difference between real conservative positions and authoritarian impulses that threaten American democracy.

In this response, the person reflects on the possible dangers in society that can lead to fascism. Most interestingly, they bring up the idea of the removal of one’s rights and overall individualism. They claim that without these rights, people are able to become a part of a larger group much easier, additionally helping to create the “other group” in a changing society. When there is change, people will inevitably get hurt. This idea plays into my own, as it shows how necessarily in fascism, people will become part of a collective, a part of a larger and stronger whole.

Fascism is painted as a much more fluid concept, which is also interesting, given how much it seems to be hated by American society. It is painted as if fascism was seen as a negative given the propaganda surrounding it, and not due to the personal thoughts of the people seeing it. This plays into the next idea, where fascism is uniquely possible due to the influence of propaganda and the necessity of a strong leader. This doesn’t mean that fascism is only able to come into power with propaganda, but it does realize the incredible influence it could have on that development. I personally agree with the idea that modern technology has completely revolutionized the possibility of using propaganda to reliably spread more fascist / right-leaning ideas into the public. It is something that needs to be noticed, and actively fought against.