A supporter of a form of government characterized by the merging of business leadership and the state, rigid one-party rule by the extreme right-wing emphasizing strong
centralized power, with militarism, an aggressive nationalism, and the suppression of all opposition.
Key elements of a fascist state were exhibited both in Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany.
Fascism By The Numbers:
1) Corporate Dominance of Law and Society
2) Military Supremacy in Funding and Policy
3) Reckless Nationalism in Foreign Affairs
4) Suppression of Organized Labor
5) Unification By Fear and Hatred
6) Expansion of Prisons and Prison Sentences
7) Usurpation of Power and Authority
8) Abuse of Human Rights at Home and Abroad
9) Religious Zealotry in Government and Military
10) Alliance with a Tightly Controlled Mass Media
The following statements illustrate the fascist mindset:
"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." -- Hermann Goering, Sr. Advisor to Adolph Hitler
"The most brilliant
propagandist technique will yield no success unless one
fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly…it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them
over and over." --
Joseph Goebbels, Senior Advisor to Adolph Hitler
In a 1995 essay "Eternal Fascism", the Italian writer and academic Umberto
Eco attempts to list general properties of fascist ideology.
The features of fascism he lists are as follows:
>"The Cult of Tradition", combining cultural syncretism with a rejection of modernism
>"The Cult of Action for Action's Sake", which dictates that action is of value in itself, and should be taken without
intellectual reflection, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science.
>"Disagreement is Treason" - fascism devalues
intellectual discourse and critical reasoning as barriers to action.
>"Fear of Difference", which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate, often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and immigrants.
>"Appeal to a
Frustrated Middle Class", fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations of lower social groups.
>"Obsession With a Plot" and the hyping-up of an enemy threat.
>"Pacifism is Trafficking With the Enemy" because "Life is Permanent Warfare" - there must always be an enemy to fight.
>"Contempt for the Weak" - although a fascist society is elitist, everybody in the society is educated to become a hero.
>"Selective Populism" - the People have a common will, which is not delegated but interpreted by a leader.
>"Newspeak" - fascism employs and promotes an impoverished
vocabulary in order to limit critical reasoning.
