FOURTEEN CHARACTERISTICS OF FASCISM

Dr. Lawrence Britt, a political scientist, wrote an article about fascism which appeared in Free Inquiry magazine, a journal of humanist thought. Dr. Britt studied the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile). He found the regimes all had 14 things in common, and he calls these the identifying characteristics of fascism. The article is titled "Fascism Anyone?," and appears in Free Inquiry’s Spring 2003 issue on page 20.

The 14 characteristics are:

1.. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism – Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2.. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights – Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to ‘look the other way’ of even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3.. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause – The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe; racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists; terrorists, etc.

4.. Supremacy of the Military – Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5.. Rampant Sexism – The government if fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

6.. Controlled Mass Media – Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or through sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in wartime, is very common.

7.. Obsession with National Security – Fear is used as a motivation tool by the government over the masses.

8.. Religion and Government are Intertwined – Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government’s policies or actions.

9.. Corporate Power is Protected – The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders in power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10.. Labor Power is Suppressed – Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely or are severely suppressed.

11.. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts – Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

12.. Obsession with Crime and Punishment – Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses, and even forego civil liberties, in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13.. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption – Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions, and who use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability.

14.. Fraudulent Elections – Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against (or even the assassination of) the opposition candidates, the use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and the manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

Semi-poignant. But it fails to note degree of institutionalization of those characteristics as a qualifying factor. I think, I hope we can be constructively critical of a nation and its government without resorting to tidy labels like "facist."

My coworker is taking an Italian Fascism course for his masters and his next paper is going to be about how the U.S.A. is a soft-totalitarian society, using many of the points above I'm sure.

"Soft-totalitarian?" Heh. I like that.

http://www.theocracywatch.org/

It was kinda an interesting read, but there's a couple things that really make me want to call shenanigans on it. First, "Dr. Lawrence Britt, a political scientist" is neither a doctor nor a political scientist. He's just some retired businessman. Second, I think any striking similarities between America and the fascist states the guy "studied" have to be taken in consideration with the fact that he wrote the article in 2003, so its not like these 14 characteristics have been on record for a while and now America is eerily starting to show some of them. More likely, he wrote and structured the characteristics based on things he already sees in America as opposed to some objective showing of fascism and its trappings. And besides, even real political scientists have had a great deal of trouble figuring out what exactly fascism is, what it entails, exactly what regimes labeled as "fascist" actually have in common, and which of those things are significant. I doubt this guy really scooped any of them.

http://www.theocracywatch.org/

I love this site

For the most part - it's dead on. However, that is written from the socialist vs. fascist debate (which are both unfree systems). Socialism and Fascism have the exact same ends but their means/motives/ethics are so opposed that they tend to hate each other. The German/Russian conflict in WWII was the most bitter (aside from the nazis vs. jews). Let me go through a few of these.


1.. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism – Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

This is always the first step to fascism. But it's more than that. Nationalism puts the nation first, the collective, over individuals. It demands that all elements of society submit to the national creed - economy, government, religion, law, etc...

2.. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights – Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to ‘look the other way’ of even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

True. But that happens only when a fascist government is well-developed.

3.. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause – The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe; racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists; terrorists, etc.

Yes. This is very true and it is plain to see right now in our society, especially with "liberals" and Islam. The new fascist order will be led by conservative christians against liberals ("secularists") and Moslems.

4.. Supremacy of the Military – Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

lol... that is very true but I love how he puts that crap about domestic funding. It's ok if the government funds socialist domestic waste, but not ok for military. Both are equally wrong. Either way, philosophically he's right - militarism runs rampant.

5.. Rampant Sexism – The government if fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

lol again. Sexism is not a strictly fascist articulation. Abortion and homophobia aren't either. But these things are socialist rallies right now, so of course he *******s them.

6.. Controlled Mass Media – Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or through sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in wartime, is very common.

Yes. Dead on. The media doesn't have to be government owned to be controlled. Fascism tends to be what many call a "mixed" economy. It's ok to keep private media outlets, btu they wont be allowed to report certain things.

7.. Obsession with National Security – Fear is used as a motivation tool by the government over the masses.

Yes. Definitely.

8.. Religion and Government are Intertwined – Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government’s policies or actions.

That is also dead on, and well put. We are seeing this big-time right now. The government takes on an almost quasi-god role in fascist states: belief is unquestioned, policies are "moral", dissent is wrong...

9.. Corporate Power is Protected – The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders in power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

Yes... kind of. Fascist governments use capitalism to serve the state. Fascism happens when capitalist societies put the government over the capitalist system and principles. Capitalism, instead of being the free articulation of sovergn individuals becomes a national service. Businesses and corporations are only allowed to function if they serve the state. I am finding out that most "privatizations" in our country are really quite fascist in nature.

10.. Labor Power is Suppressed – Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely or are severely suppressed.

Not true at all, and again, shows his pro-socialist bias. Labor is used just liek everything else, as a service to the state. Labor organization is no longer free as it should be, but is both protected and regulated by the government. Teachers unions are a good example - where teachers must fund/support the union (by government mandate). There is no freedom. Again, the contra to fascism is freedom, not socialism.

11.. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts – Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

True, but again.. blatantly socialist at the end. Government finding of the arts occours often in fascist systems because funding is a means of control. Want to do art? Apply for a government grant.

12.. Obsession with Crime and Punishment – Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses, and even forego civil liberties, in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

Yes. And we are seeing this creep into our society.

13.. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption – Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions, and who use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability.

Yup.

14.. Fraudulent Elections – Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against (or even the assassination of) the opposition candidates, the use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and the manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

Yes, but he's not-so-subtly referring to Bush/Gore. His points would be more clear if he'd stick to the criticism.

For the most part, he is right but I think Americans have an engrained sense of liberty so we're far from being anywhere close to a fascist nation.....but we are headed there.

I really like the points about fear being used to control, religion being used to control and creating an outside threat to unify our focus. What I don't understand is how so many people can blindly accept these new policies as a crusade to protect the American way of life, as Bush has said time and time again, when we are in fact forfeiting nearly everything that defined America to begin with. But I guess as long as I can have a Big Mac anytime I want, and boys can't kiss, things are super.

I agree with what Corganist said (whoa, a first?), that he brings up some interesting stuff but it would have been more poignant if it wasn't so blatantly aimed at drawing parallels between fascist states and our current administration. there are probably more characteristics of fascism (I'm not sure, haven't really studied them carefully) that weren't stressed because they have no similarities with current policy.

the socialist vs. fascist debate (which are both unfree systems)
are you saying capitalism or democracy are "free" systems? that's pretty ridiculous.

are you saying capitalism or democracy are "free" systems? that's pretty ridiculous.

Capitalism is the articulation of freedom. Anarchy is the only true "free" system - which I don't really think works.

you think capitalism "works"?

you think capitalism "works"?

Oh yes. It definitely does. I challenge anyone to show me an example of capitalism failing.

it fails in giving people equality and stop people from exploiting others.

that happens in any form of government (except maybe anarchy)

it fails in giving people equality and stop people from exploiting others.

Equality doesn't exist in nature and therfore no natural system can provide it.

Define "exploitation." If it has anything to do with eqality - see above.

the workers don't get paid the amount of money they work for to gain profit for a minority

the workers don't get paid the amount of money they work for to gain profit for a minority

I'm not sure I understand what you mean but I'll try to answer that anyway.

Workers are not entitled to a profit just as owners aren't. It's risk - which is inherent in nature. Workers are entitled to what they demand and can obtain through non-coercive means. They are independent contractors just like the people that are running the business. When we gurantee corporarte profits, we are talking fascism and corporate welfare. For some reason applying those principles to workers is somehow "social justice" or some other presumed "good" thing - when it is the exact same principle as corporate welfare.

i never said 'owners ' were 'entitled' to a profit. also workers are not 'entitled' to what they demand - it's ridiculous to assume a worker can simply quit their job and get a better one or demand a wage increase. where i come from people are fired without any reason every day and every fifth person doesn't have a job - they would do almost anything an employer would want them to do. and they do.

on a side note, we didn't have any unemployed people at all before 1990. not that i'm defending the gdr or anything.

it's ridiculous to assume a worker can simply quit their job and get a better one or demand a wage increase.

Not all workers can. But many can.

where i come from people are fired without any reason every day and every fifth person doesn't have a job - they would do almost anything an employer would want them to do. and they do.

I am curious why that is. Perhaps you see that as because the government isn't "protecting" people enough. I would wager, however, that a government cause is at the bottom of it. It could be the people themselves too - perhaps they have no desire to make better money or better themselves. Everyone has somethign of value which they can trade - why do these people not start businesses?

In countries like the UAE, the US and Hong Kong workers have earned rights, make a good wage and are protected through the market. That is decreasing in the US as government continues to encroach on capitalism.

Perhaps you see that as because the government isn't "protecting" people enough.
not really. i don't think it's our government's fault at all actually.


It could be the people themselves too - perhaps they have no desire to make better money or better themselves.
dumb. and a typical blindly pro-capitalist statement also. you think 20% of our population don't want that? i'm wondering why it's treated as such a huge problem here then.


Everyone has somethign of value which they can trade - why do these people not start businesses?

we already have enough bad working businesses, thank you. and seriously - it's too many people!


In countries like the UAE, the US and Hong Kong workers have earned rights, make a good wage and are protected through the market. That is decreasing in the US as government continues to encroach on capitalism.
in the last few hundred years there was a transition from governmental systems with absolute power in the hands of one person to more and more freedom for the people. why not take the last step then?

i'm only asking too, not proposing a revolution or anything.

dumb. and a typical blindly pro-capitalist statement also. you think 20% of our population don't want that? i'm wondering why it's treated as such a huge problem here then.

I'm sure all of your population wants jobs. But what are they going to do about it? If they are just going to wait around for someone to tell them what to do then they aren't going to find one. My point is that everyone has something to offer - everyone has some value.

in the last few hundred years there was a transition from governmental systems with absolute power in the hands of one person to more and more freedom for the people. why not take the last step then?

We've had a transition from believing that some people were born to rule (through God, or whatever) to believing that people were capable of governing themselves. That is the root of both democracy and capitalism - that people can take responsibility and rule themselves. A democratic society, though, is still capable of tyranny (called "tyranny of the majority") where a majority can vote away the rights or enslave a minority. Capitalism however, in order to work, must see humans as having basic rights and individual responsibility. When capitalism has not worked, it is because someone, either a group, king, or demos (people), have tried to control the market rather than contribute to it.

if people really were capable of governing themselves, shouldn't an anarchy be the best form of government?

hey i wanted to mention this later

if people really were capable of governing themselves, shouldn't an anarchy be the best form of government?

People can volentarily chose leaders to make decisions for them. Most peopel would and do and thus an anarchist society wouldn't really last that long.

i guess anarchy would only work in combination with some sort of moral change