The 14 Characteristics of Fascism
by Lawrence Britt
Political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt recently wrote an article about
fascism ("Fascism Anyone?," Free Inquiry, Spring 2003, page 20).
Studying the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy),
Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile), Dr. Britt
found they all had 14 elements in common. He calls these the
identifying characteristics of fascism. The excerpt is in accordance
with the magazine's policy.
The 14 characteristics are:
****Powerful and Continuing Nationalism******
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottoes,
slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen
everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
SOUND FAMILIAR?
*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.
(Looks like we flunked here eh?)
*Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a UNIFYING Cause*
(Or..any Arab will do..............)
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.
DOES THIS RING A BELL?
*************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.
*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.
******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 sympathetic media spokespeople and executives.
Censorship, especially in war time, is VERY COMMON.
*Obsession with National Security*(This ones simple..)
FEAR is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
Remember the never ending escalation of Yellow,Orange,Red Alerts?)
*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.
**********Corporate Power is Protected* (My personal favorite!)
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.
*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 .
**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.
***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.
*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.
***********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.
Hitler: Germany
Mussolini: Italy
Franco: Spain
Suharto: Indonesia
Pinochet:Chile
Bush: United States of America
FASCISM ANYONE?
Sincerely,
Fred Albury
) I'll stick to most of my beliefs though about events and such.... anyways, you know what I'm saying. Lets all get more informed before we argue and insult each other 
