On this, the day we celebrate and acknowledge the sacrifices and effort given by the men and women of our country in the pursuit of freedom, there still looms the omnipresent discussion of fascism.

All over the internet, I read more and more debate about the United States and it relationship with fascism. Unfortunately, after reading many threads, I wonder if many of these writers, readers and people commenting, really understand the argument they make. Many make reference to Hitler and Mussolini as great examples of fascism, but few try to explain or define fascism.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Fascism as:

Main Entry: fas·cism
Pronunciation: ‘fa-”shi-z&m also ‘fa-”si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces
1 often capitalized : 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
2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

Additionally, one of the most often referenced writings is from Laurence W. Britt. He studied these 7 regimes: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Franco’s Spain, Salazar’s Portugal, Papadopoulos’s Greece, Pinochet’s Chile, and Suharto’s Indonesia. Analysis of these regimes revealed 14 common threads:

1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism..
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
5. Rampant sexism.
6. A controlled mass media.
7. Obsession with national security.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together.
9. Power of corporations protected.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
14. Fraudulent elections.

Do these ring as warning signs for the United States? Is America slowly becoming a fascist state?

If you believe that these or a portion of these 14 common threads your answers will differ. Whether a country is fascist or evolving toward fascism, is largely dependent on the perspective of the person asking the question.

America has its roots deep in a tradition of being nationalistic and patriotic; the embracing of business, from small independent business owners to large global corporations and fundamentally capitalism is the foundation of our economy; yes, obviously given the past 100 years, and the various conflicts, we have a supreme military that we are not hesitant to deploy.

In short, we are fundamentally a capitalist society, in my opinion overregulated, free-market economy, that others try to emulate.

I obviously do not believe that America has become a fascist state. However, the question still needs asking, with the liberation of Iraq, have we started down a path that crosses the line that separates a fascist country from non-fascist? Is this a fundamental change in the DNA of our country? Do we need to keep Fascism in our sites as something to avoid?

Footnote:
Fascism Anyone? by Laurence W. Britt
The Danger of American Fascism

Cross posted from TodaysDemocracy.com

Said Dean Reese @ 3:08 pm | Permalink   

1. Very thought provoking and well written post!

   Comment by Jay — 5/30/2005 @ 10:39 pm

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2. Scarey. Based on the 14 common threadss in that list, it appears our country may be heading down this road. I hope not.

   Comment by Carol — 5/31/2005 @ 6:25 am

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3. 1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism.
   Nothing wrong with supporting the nation of your birth or the nation which allows you opportunities for achievement
   2. Disdain for the importance of human rights.
   See: Hitler/Mussilini (fascists), Stalin/Lenin (socialist/communists), Hussain (insane dictator). Not the US.
   3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
   Actually I think it is logical to use enemies as a unifying cause; ie. the Alamo/Pearl Harbor etc…

   4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
   Our military IS superior, if we were AVID, it would be bigger….
   5. Rampant sexism.
   blame lazy parents and hollywood
   6. A controlled mass media.
   not an issue in the US
   7. Obsession with national security.
   as opposed to an obsession with locking the doors of my house and having an alarm system? Everyone SHOULD be obsessed with National security, I am, I have a child…
   8. Religion and ruling elite tied together.
   I see your point here, look at the Middle East and Persian nations. Lucky for us it does not apply here
   9. Power of corporations protected.
   See;Enron
   10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
   In this country they (big labor) are obsolete, replaced by government regulations i.e. OSHA, child labor laws, 40 hour work weeks, maternity leave, etc….
   11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
   No disdain here, just pay for it with other than government money
   12. Obsession with crime and punishment.
   Punish criminals and it wont be an issue
   13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
   individual responsibility…see 12 above
   14. Fraudulent elections.
   Iraq before the liberation, Egypt, some South American nations

   Comment by Richard Nixon — 6/2/2005 @ 10:25 am

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