I have been thinking that we are fascist/Nazi for some time now, especially with the rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, usually on “the Left.”
One very well-informed FB friend says that “fascism” is incorrect when applied to the current situation: he would probably prefer “proto-fascist.” Perhaps he refers to the presence of free speech in the USA. (Freedom of expression was not a feature of fascism between the wars.) But what about identity politics/political correctness? And even more salient is the 1930s-40s liberal characterization of the capitalist Right as essentially fascist. Ironic because liberals were and are not anti-capitalist, until the acceptability of anti-science and utopian thought was de rigueur among former New Leftists. Indeed, the 1960s focus on race and gender was considered by some to be fascist, though I continue to believe that that is unjust to the facts of US history, though inroads toward greater equality have undoubtedly been made since the 1960s.
Of course, some Reds claim that late capitalism is always fascist, controversially arguing that social democrats (advocates of unions rather than working class revolutionary activity) are always authoritarian and repressive.
One suggestion has been to ask, why do not the masses rebel? One of this website’s main themes has been the lack of critical, historical thought advanced by public education. Although a few scholar-activists have focused on world history (including the rise of fascism between the wars) and the history of authoritarian thought, not to speak of what is and what is not repressive counter–Enlightenment, or the significance of the American breakthrough (such as it was). we obviously are heading toward fascism.
Having been a child during WW2, I assumed that we were definitely not fascists. It has only been with great reluctance that I now see the US “Left” as fascist, or whatever you want to call it. Is “the Right” fascist as well? I think it depends on whether or not pluralism (guaranteed by the Constitution) still exists. Clearly, I am allowed to write this blog, however limited the audience that considers such matters.
The Clare Spark Blog 
[…] https://clarespark.com/2019/01/23/are-we-already-fascist/?fbclid=IwAR2iMUz_nIjMw36VVDGoHSn2mnrMmqTJG… […]
Pingback by Index to multiculturalism blogs | YDS: The Clare Spark Blog — January 24, 2019 @ 2:55 pm |
I have to agree that major portions of US society operate in a fascist manner. Any dissent is cause for personal destruction by any means necessary and available, and many are unquestioningly “triggered” to react in hateful ways to attack others doing things they don’t like. The Covington tirade shows how deeply and easily, thoughtlessly, people allow themselves to be “triggered” and then try to justify themselves, hide from their behavior (recall that the coverup is always worse than the crime) or “apologize” without learning from the experience. The Kavanaugh spectacle was another peak of amoral, free-floating outrage that confirmed for many, in a repetition of pogroms, Krystalnachts and other mass brutalities, how superior and right the perps actually are (inside the bubbles they inhabit).
KKK look like real amateurs compared to the current wizards of bigotry.
Comment by George Schirtzinger — January 24, 2019 @ 2:47 am |