Are you a fascist?

[paulv]

Here is an article that highlights 14 main pillars of fascism.

Its amazing how many of these points are seen on a daily basis on this board.

But the question is - can you accept that you are a fascist?

 

http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html

[MARYROSE02]

Here is an article that highlights 14 main pillars of fascism.

Its amazing how many of these points are seen on a daily basis on this board.

But the question is - can you accept that you are a fascist?

 

http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html

 

Guy sounds 'suss.'

 

[h=1]Before You Call People Fascist... by BlameThe1st[/h]DeviantArt Related / Deviant Stamps©2013-2015 BlameThe1st

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

-Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride

 

************

 

Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. [Merriam-Webster]

 

************

 

The term “fascist” gets tossed around a lot in our political discourse. Rarely is it used to describe someone who adheres to the political philosophy of fascism. Mostly it’s used as an epithet against those with an opposing political viewpoint. Democrats call Republicans “fascists” while Republicans call Democrats “fascists.” Barack Obama is called a “fascist.” Mitt Romney was called a “fascist.” George W. Bush was called a “fascist.” Even Ron Paul has been called a “fascist”!

 

The confusion surrounding this term arises from the fact that, unlike other political philosophies, fascism is not clearly-defined. Most other ideologies have manifestos that outline their political tenants. Communism has The Communist Manifesto. Nazism has Mein Kampf. Capitalism has The Wealth of Nations. But fascism has no such founding document. Because of this, its tenets have long been debated by historians and sociologists.

 

During the Bush administration, an article began circulating the internet called “The Fourteen Defining Characteristics of Fascism.” This article is attributed to political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt who allegedly studied various fascist regimes and discovered 14 common characteristics among them.

 

Because of its vast distribution on the internet, the title of the article varies from “14 Points” to “14 Marks,” and the phrasing of the characteristics themselves also varies. But the 14 are usually listed as follows:

1.

Powerful and Continuing Nationalism.

2.

Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights.

3.

Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause.

4.

Supremacy of the Military.

5.

Rampant Sexism.

6.

Controlled Mass Media.

7.

Obsession with National Security.

8.

Religion and Government are Intertwined.

9.

Corporate Power is Protected.

10.

Labor Power is Suppressed.

11.

Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts.

12.

Obsession with Crime and Punishment.

13.

Rampant Cronyism and Corruption.

14.

Fraudulent Elections.

Although this article has been frequently shared and cited on the internet as a definition of fascism, it should not be considered a credible analysis of the ideology. The 14 characteristics are extremely vague and they easily apply to non-fascist countries. Indeed, if we take the first characteristic, “Powerful and Continuing Nationalism,” at face value, then every country is guilty of fascism, as people of all countries exhibit some level of national pride. Showing love for one’s country is not isolated to fascists.

 

Furthermore, the author who wrote the article does not exist. If Dr. Lawrence Britt were a credible authority on political science, he clearly would have published more than one article on the subject; yet a simple Google search of his name only retrieves variations of his one article and nothing else. No biography of him exists, not even a Wikipedia article!

 

This is because Dr. Lawrence Britt’s real name is “Laurence Britt,” and he is not a doctor, but a novelist. He only published one novel, June, 2004, and aside from that, his one and only article was published in the May 2004 edition of Free Inquiry Magazine.

 

As About.com contributor Tom Head explains in his piece on the matter: “This op-ed was forwarded around from inbox to inbox, and readers eventually began putting a ‘Dr.’ in front of his name and referring to him as a political scientist who had compiled the fascism inventory independently of the Bush administration. He had not done so, and had never claimed to do so. The article was, and had always been intended to be, an argument against the Bush administration.”

 

However, while Britt is not a real political scientist, and his article is not a real credible source, a real historical analysis of fascism was compiled nearly 60 years prior to Britt’s piece.

 

In 1944, John T. Flynn published As We Go Marching. Unlike “Dr.” Britt, Flynn was a well-renowned journalist and political commentator who wrote for publications such as The New Republic, Harper's Magazine, and Collier's Weekly. (Also unlike Britt: he has a Wikipedia article! Flynn: 1, Britt: 0.)

 

In his book, Flynn analyzed the fascist regimes of Hitler and Mussolini and listed eight common characteristics between them. His “Eight Marks of Fascism” are as follows:

Point 1.

The government is totalitarian because it acknowledges no restraint on its powers.

Point 2.

Government is a de facto dictatorship based on the leadership principle.

Point 3.

Government administers a capitalist system with an immense bureaucracy.

Point 4.

Producers are organized into cartels in the way of syndicalism.

Point 5.

Economic planning is based on the principle of autarky.

Point 6.

Government sustains economic life through spending and borrowing.

Point 7.

Militarism is a mainstay of government spending.

Point 8.

Military spending has imperialist aims.

Aside from offering a comprehensive historical analysis on fascism, Flynn’s book also served as a critique of FDR’s New Deal policies, which Flynn feared were similar to the policies of the fascist regimes overseas.

 

His book is recommended for anyone curious about the history and ideology of fascism. An e-book version can be downloaded from the Mises Institute.

 

Those who don't have the time to read an entire book can read Lew Rockwell’s article “The Fascist Threat.” In it, Rockwell alludes to Flynn’s “Eight Marks” to provide a condensed analysis of fascism while also offering a scathing critique of the Bush and Obama administrations.

 

Both pieces are highly recommended to those who wish to understand fascism and what implications it has today.

 

Because if you insist on calling other people "fascist," it's best that you understand what the word and the ideology behind it means; otherwise, you might as well be calling them "doo-doo heads."

[Danny842003]

No, next question.

 

Its a phrase that is banded around by the left wing who don't like other peoples views.

[Thom]

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause.

4. Supremacy of the Military.

5. Rampant Sexism.

6. Controlled Mass Media.

7. Obsession with National Security.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined.

9. Corporate Power is Protected.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption.

14. Fraudulent Elections.

 

Russia anyone?

 

That's the trouble with the left, they don't see the beam in their own eyes.

[paulv]

No, next question.

 

Its a phrase that is banded around by the left wing who don't like other peoples views.

 

So Churchill was left wing now?

[JockinTas]

^^^ What?

[paul1977]

So Churchill was left wing now?

Why don't you craw back under the hole you come from.. Don't start **** like that

[Danny842003]

So Churchill was left wing now?

 

Yawn.

[paulv]

Why don't you craw back under the hole you come from.. Don't start **** like that

 

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

[paul1977]

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

Lets have a good old ding dong about Australia , friendly banter, difference of opinion .. Don't start dragging **** like that on here... Churchill lead this country through a war which millions died. If it wasnt for him your be in a differnt position than you are today... Now as the australians kindly say.. If you don't love us leave us....

[paulv]

Lets have a good old ding dong about Australia , friendly banter, difference of opinion .. Don't start dragging **** like that on here... Churchill lead this country through a war which millions died. If it wasnt for him your be in a differnt position than you are today... Now as the australians kindly say.. If you don't love us leave us....

 

Why are you getting your knickers in a twist?

Churchill fought against Mussolini. So does that make him a lefty as was originally intimated of anyone who called out fascists?

[beach pig]

Why are you getting your knickers in a twist?

Churchill fought against Mussolini. So does that make him a lefty as was originally intimated of anyone who called out fascists?

You are fuddled mate.

[Danny842003]

Why are you getting your knickers in a twist?

Churchill fought against Mussolini. So does that make him a lefty as was originally intimated of anyone who called out fascists?

 

You know fine well when I made my comment it wasn't meant to apply literally to everyone at any point in history, my point is look at the article posted and it describes my dad a hard working normal bloke. It probably describes about 80% of 'normal' working boxes. Are 80% of normal blokes akin to Mussolini? Point proven.

[paulv]

You know fine well when I made my comment it wasn't meant to apply literally to everyone at any point in history, my point is look at the article posted and it describes my dad a hard working normal bloke. It probably describes about 80% of 'normal' working boxes. Are 80% of normal blokes akin to Mussolini? Point proven.

 

 

Just because people work hard it doesn't mean they can't be misguided or wrong about something.

You were the one making generalisations, and you've done it again.

[Danny842003]

Just because people work hard it doesn't mean they can't be misguided or wrong about something.

You were the one making generalisations, and you've done it again.

 

this entire thread is about a generalisation. Throwing words like facist, racist or nazi about for nothing is getting out of hand.

[MARYROSE02]

So Churchill was left wing now?

 

Churchill was as anti-Communism as he was anti-Fascist. The USSR was never more than 'then enemy of my enemy.'

[paulv]

Churchill was as anti-Communism as he was anti-Fascist. The USSR was never more than 'then enemy of my enemy.'

 

But he fought against fascism. So by thom's logic that makes him a dirty lefty. And all debate is closed down.

Welcome to democracy, fascist style.

[Thom]

Churchill was a political expedient, he chose to represent what he saw as good.

 

As President of the Board of Trade he joined newly appointed Chancellor Lloyd George in opposing First Lord of the Admiralty Reginald McKenna's proposed huge expenditure for the construction of Navy dreadnought warships, and in supporting the Liberal reforms. In 1908, he introduced the Trade Boards Bill setting up the first minimum wages in Britain. In 1909, he set up Labour Exchanges to help unemployed people find work. He helped draft the first unemployment pension legislation, the National Insurance Act of 1911. As a supporter of eugenics, he participated in the drafting of the Mental Deficiency Act 1913; however, the Act, in the form eventually passed, rejected his preferred method of sterilisation of the feeble-minded in favour of their confinement in institutions.

Churchill also assisted in passing the People's Budget, becoming President of the Budget League, an organisation set up in response to the opposition's Budget Protest League. The budget included the introduction of new taxes on the wealthy to allow for the creation of new social welfare programmes. After the budget bill was passed by the Commons in 1909 it was vetoed by the House of Lords.

[MARYROSE02]

But he fought against fascism. So by thom's logic that makes him a dirty lefty. And all debate is closed down.

Welcome to democracy, fascist style.

 

What are we debating anyway? How to recognize a fascist, in 12 easy steps. Step one. Is he/she wearing a swastika? Step two. Offer he/she some kosher food.

[paulv]

What are we debating anyway? How to recognize a fascist, in 12 easy steps. Step one. Is he/she wearing a swastika? Step two. Offer he/she some kosher food.

 

Jews and fascists aren't mutually exclusive.

[boganbear]

Thus is one of the most silly threads I've come across on here. Absolutely no logical and rational argument from the original poster who obviously hasn't studied fascism and just downloaded something off the internet. Just treat it with the disdain it deserves.

[Danny842003]

Having thought about this post again I have come to the conclusion the word fascist is now used so much because as we live in a more and more multi cultural world to simply label people racist no longer works. For instance UKIP has members from most walks of life, people have different coloured family members, partners and children. It seems to me the word fasict has simply been substituted by people who dislike the views of others.

[Thom]

Thus is one of the most silly threads I've come across on here. Absolutely no logical and rational argument from the original poster who obviously hasn't studied fascism and just downloaded something off the internet. Just treat it with the disdain it deserves.

 

Seconded.

[akiralx]

Jews and fascists aren't mutually exclusive.

 

Correct. Fascism comes from the Latin 'fasces': a bundle of sticks (expensive classical education bears belated fruit). These would be used to beat dissenters - so fascism really only refers to any ideology which uses violence to further its own ends.

 

Churchill was a Liberal who by his own admission flirted with Conservatism for expediency. He was a great wartime leader, but subsequently was one of the proponents and founders of the European Court of Human Rights, a fact which some choose to ignore.

 

If the UK left the EU they would still be subject to ECHR rulings as that is a separate body - set up many years before the EU came into being.

[Danny842003]

Correct. Fascism comes from the Latin 'fasces': a bundle of sticks (expensive classical education bears belated fruit). These would be used to beat dissenters - so fascism really only refers to any ideology which uses violence to further its own ends.

 

Churchill was a Liberal who by his own admission flirted with Conservatism for expediency. He was a great wartime leader, but subsequently was one of the proponents and founders of the European Court of Human Rights, a fact which some choose to ignore.

 

If the UK left the EU they would still be subject to ECHR rulings as that is a separate body - set up many years before the EU came into being.

 

Because as a non EU member we can't just leave that as well....