Jagger
09-06-03, 05:12 PM
I read an interesting series of essays by author David Niewitt concerning fascism. He presents a variety of definitions of fascism and the historical progression of fascist power. He then makes a case for the existence of a strain of fascism within the US. He concludes that US fascism is at an early but substantial stage with the potential for further growth.
His essays are located here: http://www.cursor.org/stories/fascismintroduction.php
I think he made a compelling case demonstrating a budding fascist style movement within the US. However the populist and political intimidation required of fascism is not extensive at this point. Nor has the democratic process been abandoned. But much of the necessary components are in place within a substantial portion of the religious, business and political leadership as well as the population. His concerns are that another significant negative economic or terrorist event could push the country over the edge into a unique form of US fascism.
Anyway, people may find his essays interesting. And I welcome any comments.
Here are the definitions of fascism and the five stages of fascist growth used by Niewitt.
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Griffin has essentially managed to boil fascism down to a basic core he calls palingenetic ultranationalist populism. (Palingenesis is the concept of mythic rebirth from the ashes, embodied by the Phoenix.) One of Griffin's signature essays on fascism opens with this useful definition:
Fascism: modern political ideology that seeks to regenerate the social, economic, and cultural life of a country by basing it on a heightened sense of national belonging or ethnic identity. Fascism rejects liberal ideas such as freedom and individual rights, and often presses for the destruction of elections, legislatures, and other elements of democracy. Despite the idealistic goals of fascism, attempts to build fascist societies have led to wars and persecutions that caused millions of deaths. As a result, fascism is strongly associated with right-wing fanaticism, racism, totalitarianism, and violence.8
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If fascism is defined in terms of a core ideology of ultra-nationalism that aspires to bring about the renewal of a nation's entire political culture, then the picture changes. The features so firmly associated with it in the popular historical imagination cease to be definitional. Instead they can be seen as external and time-bound manifestations of the central ideological driving force that is its only permanent feature: the war against the decadence of society and the struggle for national rebirth.9
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Paxton identifies five stages in fascism's arc of flight:
The initial creation of fascist movements
Their rooting as parties in a political system
The acquisition of power
The exercise of power
Radicalization or entropy
His essays are located here: http://www.cursor.org/stories/fascismintroduction.php
I think he made a compelling case demonstrating a budding fascist style movement within the US. However the populist and political intimidation required of fascism is not extensive at this point. Nor has the democratic process been abandoned. But much of the necessary components are in place within a substantial portion of the religious, business and political leadership as well as the population. His concerns are that another significant negative economic or terrorist event could push the country over the edge into a unique form of US fascism.
Anyway, people may find his essays interesting. And I welcome any comments.
Here are the definitions of fascism and the five stages of fascist growth used by Niewitt.
------------------
Griffin has essentially managed to boil fascism down to a basic core he calls palingenetic ultranationalist populism. (Palingenesis is the concept of mythic rebirth from the ashes, embodied by the Phoenix.) One of Griffin's signature essays on fascism opens with this useful definition:
Fascism: modern political ideology that seeks to regenerate the social, economic, and cultural life of a country by basing it on a heightened sense of national belonging or ethnic identity. Fascism rejects liberal ideas such as freedom and individual rights, and often presses for the destruction of elections, legislatures, and other elements of democracy. Despite the idealistic goals of fascism, attempts to build fascist societies have led to wars and persecutions that caused millions of deaths. As a result, fascism is strongly associated with right-wing fanaticism, racism, totalitarianism, and violence.8
-----------
If fascism is defined in terms of a core ideology of ultra-nationalism that aspires to bring about the renewal of a nation's entire political culture, then the picture changes. The features so firmly associated with it in the popular historical imagination cease to be definitional. Instead they can be seen as external and time-bound manifestations of the central ideological driving force that is its only permanent feature: the war against the decadence of society and the struggle for national rebirth.9
--------------------------
Paxton identifies five stages in fascism's arc of flight:
The initial creation of fascist movements
Their rooting as parties in a political system
The acquisition of power
The exercise of power
Radicalization or entropy