What Is Fascism?

[Rival]

On my other thread, @Saint Frankenstein said,

"This test doesn't really know what Fascism is."

While other posters, @Deathbydefault and @A Greased Scotsman mused that it seemed accurate.

So, we have some disagreement.

What is Fascism by your definition?

 

[Spiderman]

Nationalistic authoritarian right-wing system of Government.
It comes from the word fasten. All that is not willing to fasten itself to and support the Government is cut off. All that is willing to fasten itself to the Government serves to strengthen the Government. Strength comes through unity and numbers.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Basically, "Fascism is not a combination of "communism, socialism, conservatism and liberalism". What the hell does that even mean? It's ultra-nationalism, extreme militarism, anti-individualism, anti-liberalism, viewing the State as an organic outgrowth of the Nation (which is usually defined in racial/ethnic terms) and totalitarianism."

It often has mythical aspects to it, as well as religious devotion/fanaticism to the concept of the Nation. Popular religions are often subordinated to the use of the State and to promote its mythos. Or new cults are promoted that suit the interests of the State, often at the same time the predominate religions are hijacked.

Socialism may also be misused and redefined in the interests of the State. If they refer to themselves as "socialist", they usually mean something like "whatever is in the interests of the State and Nation as a collective" and not "worker/publicly owned means of production". Fascism doesn't really have a problem with capitalism and private property.

It's also hyper-reactionary and extremely misogynistic. "Traditional" values are extolled.

I used to be a neo-Fascist/neo-Nazi, by the way. So I think I kind of know what it is and isn't. Lol.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Seems to be the opposite of whatever very liberal people currently believe.

At least, that's the primary context I've seen it used in contemporary times.

 

[Mindmaster]

On my other thread, @Saint Frankenstein said,

"This test doesn't really know what Fascism is."

While other posters, @Deathbydefault and @A Greased Scotsman mused that it seemed accurate.

So, we have some disagreement.

What is Fascism by your definition?

Fascism isn't merely the child of the left or right.

While the right elements are traditionally more inclined to it, in the America it is the left that largely have a stranglehold. The American right isn't a cohesive group, but rather a collection of them who share varying beliefs -- the left has a "my way or the highway" approach more inline with totalitarianism and fascism proper. You can be fascistic without nationalism or authoritarianism, you simply have to have an intolerant ideology. Your ideology isn't tolerant just because it says it is, either.

 

[LuisDantas]

What is Fascism by your definition?

Reliance on "strong leaders".

 

[Rival]

Fascism isn't merely the child of the left or right.

While the right elements are traditionally more inclined to it, in the America it is the left that largely have a stranglehold. The American right isn't a cohesive group, but rather a collection of them who share varying beliefs -- the left has a "my way or the highway" approach more inline with totalitarianism and fascism proper. You can be fascistic without nationalism or authoritarianism, you simply have to have an intolerant ideology. Your ideology isn't tolerant just because it says it is, either.

No, that's 'fascism' used as a political slur.

 

[Rival]

Reliance on "strong leaders".

Who doesn't want a strong leader?

 

[Deathbydefault]

So, we have some disagreement.

What is Fascism by your definition?

A radical, far-right authoritarian form of government and ideology.
I pretty much align with the wiki on what fascism is.
Fascism - Wikipedia

 

[Rival]

What about the economic side?

 

[LuisDantas]

Who doesn't want a strong leader?

Most people who understand how harmful they are, I would think.

 

[Rival]

Most people who understand how harmful they are, I would think.

But strong needn't be harmful. I would class Lincoln as a strong leader, as well as numerous other U.S. Presidents.

 

[LuisDantas]

But strong needn't be harmful. I would class Lincoln as a strong leader, as well as numerous other U.S. Presidents.

Strong leadership is harmful, by definition. It means having a dude who is willing and able to run over the desires of other people often.

Fascism is wanting that to happen.

Ideally, a society will have difuse leadership and therefore be highly skilled in understanding itself and reaching healthy compromises.

 

[Rival]

Strong leadership is harmful, by definition. It means having a dude who is willing and able to run over the desires of other people often.

Fascism is wanting that to happen.

Ideally, a society will have difuse leadership and therefore be highly skilled in understanding itself and reaching healthy compromises.

Hmm. I disagree.

A strong leader, IMO, is just someone who has a strong character and isn't easily swayed or over emotional.

 

[LuisDantas]

Hmm. I disagree.

A strong leader, IMO, is just someone who has a strong character and isn't easily swayed or over emotional.

Those are always destructive, even when they are wise and virtuous. And when they are, odds are that they will be perceived as "weak" for that very reason.

A good leader knows how to listen and consider what he learn and is told. Those only very rarely get a reputation for being "strong", because they never needed strength.

 

[Rival]

Those are always destructive, even when they are wise and virtuous. And when they are, odds are that they will be perceived as "weak" for that very reason.

A good leader knows how to listen and consider what he learn and is told. Those only very rarely get a reputation for being "strong", because they never needed strength.

Again, I disagree.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Nationalistic authoritarian right-wing system of Government

This is probably the best definition if we want to keep to a few words. Leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler would be good examples. I try remain non-bipartisan in reference to current governments.

It is interesting that Shoghi Effendi who was the leader of the Baha'i Faith for 36 years until his passing during 1957 considered nationalism one of the three great evils of the twentieth century.

 

[Aštra’el]

I certainly would prefer a strong, brilliant and formidable leader... one who is naturally charismatic but excels in military strategy... one who proficiently utilizes the potential of our own nation as well as other nations, not only through show of force but through charismatic leadership, calculated diplomatic maneuvering, strategic and effective military operations, and a burning passion and desire to grow and evolve as an empire.. and one whose potential is not restricted to some political or religious code from hundreds or thousands of years ago, be it some "constitution" or some holy scripture.

 

[Mister Emu]

Fascism, to me, is fundamentally about placing the people as the highest good of the nation. The state should push the people to be their best, it should extoll the virtues and decry failings.

The government should uphold the traditional culture as the binding agent of society and fight against what it views as corruption of such.

It often supports keeping the people as they are and opposes changing the make up of the nation.

Lincoln said a government 'of the people, by the people, for the people'. Facism would say 'for the people, for the people, for the people'.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Fascism, to me, is fundamentally about placing the people as the highest good of the nation. The state should push the people to be their best, it should extoll the virtues and decry failings.

The government should uphold the traditional culture as the binding agent of society and fight against what it views as corruption of such.

It often supports keeping the people as they are and opposes changing the make up of the nation.

Lincoln said a government 'of the people, by the people, for the people'. Facism would say 'for the people, for the people, for the people'.

You're a fascist?