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ow do You define

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FASCISM?

issue
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According to Uberto Eco [ via Wikipedia ]
historical fascism includes:
The Cult of Tradition
Combining cultural syncretism with a rejection of modernism
(often disguised as a rejection of capitalism).
The Cult of Action for Action’s Sake
Which dictates that action is of value in itself, and should be
taken without intellectual reflection. This, says Eco, is connected
with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests
in attacks on modern culture and science.
Disagreement is Treason
Fascism devalues intellectual discourse and critical reasoning
as barriers to action.
Fear of Difference
Which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate, often in the
form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and immigrants.
Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class
Fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations
of lower social groups.
Obsession With a Plot
And the hyping-up of an enemy threat. This often involves an
appeal to xenophobia or the identification of an internal
security threat.
Life is Permanent Warfare
There must always be an enemy to fight.
Contempt for the Weak
“In manipulating information, we see a departure from classic
Although a fascist society is elitist, everybody in the society fascism. Then it was ceaseless propaganda backed by spies
is educated to become a hero.
and informers, to bind elite support and to mobilize masses—
often using the new technology of radio. The friendly way is
Selective Populism
The People have a common will, which is not delegated but
with monitoring (using opinion polls and focus groups) and ad
interpreted by a leader. This may involve doubt being cast hoc communications aimed at passive acquiescence. Faceless
upon a democratic institution, because “it no longer
oligarchs manage the minds of elites via le arned journals,
represents the Voice of the People.”
the business press, and educational programs. They mystify
Newspeak
and immobilize the masses via the hypnotic use of electronic
Fascism employs and promotes an impoverished vocabulary media, mainly television.
in order to limit critical reasoning.
Big government in alliance with big business: corporate
authoritarianism that subverts constitutional democracy.”
—Bertram Ross, Friendly Fascism
Our war for freedom isn't abroad; it's here at home.
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