Characteristics Of Fascism

[DAVID RUFFIN 1]

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

 

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. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

 

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, 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 and letters is openly attacked.

 

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 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 assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

[kutulu 962]

Will there be a test?

[Churchill610 0]

Stop talking about me!!!

[Guest tiki_gods]

my eyes hurt

[Gene S. 0]

This is why I'm proud to be a liberal!

[Uh-huh 0]

Trying to imply sumtin' ?

[GettnHuge 1]

Like all good people I hate Clinton, but just don't feel like piling on today.

[Gene S. 0]

Trying to imply sumtin' ?

 

Did you support this wretched war in Iraq?

 

If so you're not the type of person I want to associate with.

[GettnHuge 1]

Gene S.

FF Rookie

Posts: 34

Joined: 1-August 03

 

 

just what do you consider associating, anyway?

[Gene S. 0]

Gene S.

FF Rookie

Posts: 34

Joined: 1-August 03

 

 

just what do you consider associating, anyway?

 

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

[GettnHuge 1]

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

 

 

I understand. I've always had difficulty getting along with tolerant fellows like yourself.

[kpbuckeye 2]

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

 

I think you are making a poor assumption,

what makes you think you had friends in the first place?

 

 

 

 

you and uh-huh should hook up and spit on POW's together

[Riddlen 1]

we had this discussion before teh crash... 458.3 times.

[donhaas 18]

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

 

Terrorists hate our freedom!!!!!

 

You're either with us or against us!!!!

 

These colors don't run!!!!!

 

Would you rather we [chikenhawks crack me up when they say 'we'] fight them in Sheboygan Falls, WI than Baghdad???

 

 

HTH!!!

[Gene S. 0]

Chickenhawks are the absolute worst.

[Gene S. 0]

Terrorists hate our freedom!!!!!

 

You're either with us or against us!!!!

 

These colors don't run!!!!!

 

Would you rather we [chikenhawks crack me up when they say 'we'] fight them in Sheboygan Falls, WI than Baghdad???

HTH!!!

 

How stupid was it when Mr. Bush said "You're either with us or against us"?

 

Talk about alienating the rest of the world.

[drobeski 2,077]

U hated amricean, and soupurt ben lading

[Vikings4ever 296]

Don't talk about FF Mike that way!

[Cdub100 916]

I think we're gonna need a bigger boat

[Uh-huh 0]

Did you support this wretched war in Iraq?

 

If so you're not the type of person I want to associate with.

 

I think W is *peachy*....

[Ignignokt 0]

U hated amricean, and soupurt ben lading

America: Love It Or QwtZeoyr6p

[TyCobb 0]

Good points, Ruffin.

 

I agree with you that Saddam was every one of them. I'm glad we removed him.

 

[MadMoney5000 0]

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

 

 

You don't act like a friend to me. I have friends who are for this war and others who are against it, I have friends who are pro-life and others who are pro-choice. I have friends who believe in God and others who think the Bible is a neat little book of fairy tales.

 

If you want to be a friend maybe you should listen to other people's point of view and if you disagree with them instead of getting mad and walking away maybe you should explain your point of view in a calm and respectful manner. I believe that you will get some positive results.

 

I do support the war. I am still friends with people who are against it. My friends and I have had many talks about the war and they have taught me some things and I believe I have taught them some things too.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

 

The word "lockstep" comes to mind................hmmmmmm, you have much in common with well known fascists.

[Uh-huh 0]

The word "lockstep" comes to mind................hmmmmmm, you have much in common with well known fascists.

The phrase, "Well, there goes the neighborhood..." immediately comes to mind... hmmm... too bad the usual suspects are back.

[TyCobb 0]

The phrase, "Well, there goes the neighborhood..." immediately comes to mind... hmmm... too bad the usual suspects are back.

 

[drobeski 2,077]

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/

[gratefulted 12]

Good points, Ruffin.

 

I'm glad we removed him.

 

 

Didn't know you were there, thanks for your service!

[TyCobb 0]

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/

 

I pay taxes every day. And I vote. Yep, WE got rid of him.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

The phrase, "Well, there goes the neighborhood..." immediately comes to mind... hmmm... too bad the usual suspects are back.

 

 

Agreed. At least we had a few days sans your drivel.

[phillybear 109]

I've broken off several long term friendships with supporters of this war.

 

Its really the defining issue of our time and if you are so morally repugnant to back it, I cannot be your buddy.

 

This is either an ingenious fishing attempt, or possibly the most pathetic thing ever posted at this site. I am taken aback.

[Riddlen 1]

This is either an ingenious fishing attempt, or possibly the most pathetic thing ever posted at this site. I am taken aback.

fishing right? No could phrase a sentance that well yet mean the insane content contained with in