As a follow-up to my recent post Is It Too Late to Stop Fascism in the US?, I worked from the definition of fascism proposed by Robert Paxton.
There are several other definitions of fascism, many of which are listed on the Wikipedia entry Definitions of Fascism. I’ve decided to go through the definitions that include specific lists of criteria and see which of them the United States fits.
I’ve made the case before that when Ronald Reagan signed the Military Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officials Act, he was quietly declaring martial law and creating a police state (and that the US has never really lived up to its liberal democratic ideals). I’m sure those with more knowledge of the right-wing populist movement of the 70s that culminated in Reagan’s election and with the Reagan administration itself could make the case that fascism, under many standard definitions, actually started then. I have more knowledge of the conteporary politics, so I’m focused mostly on the actions of the Bush administration, and to a lesser extent, the Obama administration.
I should also note that by the definition many of the pro-capitalist right wing definitions of fascism, which essentially equate fascism with the left, the entire world is fascist and the US was has been fascist at least since the New Deal. Still, I focus here on elements from contemporary America. For the most part, I’m considering business interests (especially Wall Street), right wing media (especially Fox News and talk radio pundits), the “Tea Party” Movement, the Republican Party, and to a lesser extent the Democratic Party to be one loosely connected coalition (even though some of them often fight amongst themselves).
John T. Flynn’s list
1. Anti-capitalist, but with capitalist features;
Mostly missing (though there are some anti-capitalist elements. Change it to “anti-socialist, but with socialist features” and then we’ve got a match. I think this is fair because 1) What we’re seeing is NOT an authentic capitalist movement, at least as Flynn would define it 2) Mussolini used the terms “state capitalism” and “state socialism” interchangeably.
2. Economic demand management…
3. …through budget deficits
4. Direct economic planning, reconciled with partial economic autonomy through corporatism
5. Militarism and imperialism
6. Suspension of rule of law.
Stanley G. Payne’s itemized list of characteristics of fascism
the creation of an authoritarian state
a regulated, state-integrated economic sector
fascist symbolism
Recursive definition.
anti-liberalism
This is less obviously a “Check” than it seems. During the 20s and 30s, “liberalism” more likely meant what today we’d call libertarianism or individualism (though social liberalism was already beginning). But, still, check.
anti-communism
anti-conservatism.
Missing. Mostly because this round of fascism is in the guise of conservatism.
Umberto Ecco’s list
“The Cult of Tradition”
“The Cult of Action for Action’s Sake”
This one is confusing, but Wikipedia helpfully clarifies: “This, says Eco, is connected with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science.”
“Disagreement is Treason”
“Fear of Difference”
“Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class”
“Obsession With a plot”
“Pacifism is Trafficking With the Enemy” because “Life is Permanent Warfare”
“Contempt for the Weak”
I’m not even sure where to begin with this one. Check.
“Selective Populism”
“Newspeak”
Recap
Here are the characters from above that fit modern America:
Economic demand management through budget deficits
Direct economic planning, reconciled with partial economic autonomy through corporatism
Militarism and imperialism
Suspension of rule of law
the creation of an authoritarian state
a regulated, state-integrated economic sector
anti-liberalism
anti-communism
anti-conservatism
The Cult of Tradition
The Cult of Action for Action’s Sake (along with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and attacks on modern culture and science).
Disagreement is Treason
Fear of Difference
Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class
Obsession With a plot
Pacifism is Trafficking With the Enemy” because “Life is Permanent Warfare
Contempt for the Weak
Selective Populism
Newspeak
Here are the missing characteristics:
Anti-capitalist, but with capitalist features
anti-conservatism
fascist symbolism (technicality, due to recursive definition)