14 Characteristic of Facism

[beowulf]

This was just sent to me - look at it and see how close we have come recently:

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?', by Lawrence Britt, 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' or 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 governments of 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 motivational 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 into 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. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for

national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

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) 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.

[see http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/britt_23_2.htm for complete text of article.]

[+joc]

Would you care to explain how you think we ars so close to Fascism?

There is a lot of patriotism going on because we as a country were attacked!

Give us your thoughts on the comparisons please, because frankly, I don't see it.

[beowulf]

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.

Yes there is going to be some patriotism, something that I am all for having spent a quarter of a century in the military, but what I am seeing in is similar to the type and fervor of those authoritarian countries that I had to visit in the course of my duties.

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' or even approve of torture, summary executions,

assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

So it is alright to hold anyone without recourse to legal protection? Today them, tommorrow us!

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.

Notice how all Muslims have become the enemy? Who is next - you maybe?

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.

Hey, I still work for the military - yes, we get the largest chunk of the budget!

5. Rampant Sexism -- The governments of 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.

Ask some of our ladies here on the forum, especially churchmembers, is our society and the predominant (for now) religion isn't sexist to a large extent!

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.

This one we are still good on (most of the time).

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

Need I say anything here?

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.

Luckily this hasn't happened yet, but not from the lack of the Xian crowds trying!

9. Corporate Power is Protected -- The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power,

creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

Can we spell Halliburton? Microsoft?? and myriads of companies that are outsourcing our jobs while the government stands by?

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.

Let's face it, in the last 3 decades labor has become a laugh!

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.

Luckily this hasn't gotten to be much of a problem yet! Watch this space for future developments tho!

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.

Can you spell Homeland Security?

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. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for

national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

Again, can you spell Halliburton?

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) 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.

I won't call 2000 fraudulent (I voted for W and will this time too), but it skated awfully close on both sides - but what the hey, American elections have always skated close!

Now JOC, does that answer your gripe?

[jpalz]

Well, I don't think it was good for Pinochet to stay that long in the power (maybe just staying there until things cooled up and then trying to re-introduce democracy). I don't approve the violations against human rights. Yet I think his action, in 1973, was neccesary.

Chile was really ***** up at that time. Really. You had to make lines more than an hour long just to get some bread. There were fights everywhere: to be honest, we were close to a civil war. The "Chilean route to socialism" was a complete failure, and somebody had to do something.

Now, how do I know about this? My parents lived this first-hand, they knew how bad things were (they were 16-17 at that time).

Anyways, just my opinion on the subject, specially Chile.

Oh! And btw, even though he should have done it earlier, Pinochet quitted after a plebiscite HE called, and did another one in 1980 asking the people if they wanted a new Constitution. No other dictator I have known has ever done that.

[+joc]

Dude,

Seriously, you need a reality check if you believe anything you just posted. Note the number of flags on 9/12 vs the number of flags now.

It is alright for you to be a staunch Kerry supporter and try to influence some votes with your pap, but why can't you just come right out and say that is what you are doing instead of hiding behind some website crapola?

That being said, I salute you for your service to this country. I stand in proud awe of our military and those who do and have served...and there is nothing fascist about that.

Peace, Out,

joc

[Independent1]

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.

Yes there is going to be some patriotism, something that I am all for having spent a quarter of a century in the military, but what I am seeing in is similar to the type and fervor of those authoritarian countries that I had to visit in the course of my duties.

In some places, yes there is that fervor. Patriotism can be taken too far, but that does not mean that patriotism at a time of war is bad.

I tell you what, I know some people who march in parades dressed as revolutionary war soldiers, and on July 4th of 2002 they got a lot more recognition than they were used to. September 11th was an awakening for people regarding the freedoms they have.

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' or even approve of torture, summary executions,

assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

So it is alright to hold anyone without recourse to legal protection?  Today them, tommorrow us!

Fortunately, the few Americans who were held without due process were ordered released by the judicial system, and the detainees are Guatanamo were ordered to be tried in courts. Our checks and balances work.

As far as the Patriot Act, I would like to see more controls to make sure the tools in this act are only used against the terrorists.

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.

Notice how all Muslims have become the enemy?  Who is next - you maybe?

Actually, Muslims have not become the enemy. Terrorists and world leaders who harbor terrorists have become the enemy.

There has been a very large effort by some in the media in the last year to paint the war on terror as a religious war. It is not, and the administration has clearly stated that several times.

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. 

Hey, I still work for the military - yes, we get the largest chunk of the budget!

And yet there are a lot of people who are saying the military is underfunded. The domestic agenda has not been neglected at all. Despite coming into a recession, experiencing a terrorists attack that caused the loss of 1 million jobs, and several corporate scandals, in the last year 1.5 million new jobs were created. Imporvements in our education system have been made, etc..

5. Rampant Sexism -- The governments of 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.

Ask some of our ladies here on the forum, especially churchmembers, is our society and the predominant (for now) religion isn't sexist to a large extent!

Sexism in the US is rapidly declining. Many Christian religions now give full rights to women, and allow women to become ordained ministers. In fact, the church I attend has a female pastor (and she does a great job BTW). Women in society have traditional played a subordinate role, but that is changing.

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.

This one we are still good on (most of the time).

Yeah, I agree. A large diversity of opinions can be found in the media. Everything from liberal NPR, CBS, and ABC to conservative talk radio and Fox News.

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

Need I say anything here?

Yeah, national security has been a high priority item. But lets face it, if my home was invaded, my family held hostage, and by some miracle my family and I survived, I would probably be obsessed with home security. We were attacked on september 11th, and so a certain amount of obsession on this is normal.

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.

Luckily this hasn't happened yet, but not from the lack of the Xian crowds trying!

Don't lump all Christians together.

And keep in mind that the US is more secularized today than it has ever been.

9. Corporate Power is Protected -- The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power,

creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

Can we spell Halliburton?  Microsoft?? and myriads of companies that are outsourcing our jobs while the government stands by?

Where there's fish, there's water. Where there's money, there's corruption. That's reality, not facism.

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.

Let's face it, in the last 3 decades labor has become a laugh! 

I don't think organized labor is a threat to government in any way. That's like saying giraffes are a threat to birds.

Labor issues are my specialty. The pendolum on organized labor swung very heavily in the favor of organized labor in the early to mid 1900s, and now it is swinging back to the middle. Organized labor hasn't lost any rights, just membership (because companies are taking better care of their employees).

The recent changes in overtime rule were sited by many as an example of the diminishment of organized labor, but in fact all they did is update the laws. Prior to that, you only had to make $3.85 per hour to qualify as an exempt employee (one who gets no overtime) by the salary test.

Some of the other tests for exempt employees were changed because of the introduction of PCs. Prior to PCs, managers who wanted something typed up would send it to the typing pool to be typed. Now, they open up Microsoft word and type it themselves, which by the law was non-exempt work.

The democrats have used this as a campaign issue, claiming that millions of americans lost their overtime privileges. In truth, very few did, and many exempt employees got pay increases to meet the new salary test (many where I work did).

The new salary test is $23,660, which is about $11.50/hour.

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.

Luckily this hasn't gotten to be much of a problem yet!  Watch this space for future developments tho!

I haven't seen any move to squash 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.

Can you spell Homeland Security?

Not exactly limitless, although I would like to see more controls so that only that the tools under the homeland security bill and the Patriot act are only used against terrorists.

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. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for

national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

Again, can you spell Halliburton?

Water is wet, fish swim, politicians are corrupt. Soem things don't change.

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) 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.

I won't call 2000 fraudulent (I voted for W and will this time too), but it skated awfully close on both sides - but what the hey, American elections have always skated close!

334974[/snapback]

I would, on both sides. I voted for Bush as well, and will again. 2004 is turning out to be even more fraudulent.

The belief that the US is trending towards facism started in the 60s, but has never been nearly as strong as it was then. Still, the belief has continued on through present times.

[Asterix]

*Cough, cough* sorry to interrupt an otherwise very interesting conversation, but what's the connection with "spirituality and skepticism"? Shouldn't it be in world politics or something?

[beowulf]

Sorry Asterisk, you're right, this belongs elsewhere...force of habit, most of my posts are in this forum.

It is alright for you to be a staunch Kerry supporter and try to influence some votes with your pap, but why can't you just come right out and say that is what you are doing instead of hiding behind some website crapola?

Your post JOC

I won't call 2000 fraudulent (I voted for W and will this time too)

My post. When you first replied, I had the thought that you didn't read the entire post and it looks like I was right! I have voted mainly republican longer (unless your are in your forties) than you have been alive. I sent two COMBAT tours in 'Nam and don't like what I am seeing in Iraq. I will still vote W for two reasons,

(1) I don't believe in changing horses in the middle of the war

(2) I consider K to be a traitor to his fellow brothers in arms and to his country for what he did in North Vietnam!

I do believe that W (whom as a Texan I fondly call the village idiot for his "Bushisms) did a much better job than Gore could have in the wake of 9/11 and except for Iraq has done a good job. Don't get me started on Cheney tho!