Monday, April 20, 2009

What is fascism?

What exactly is meant by calling someone or some party "fascist"? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, fascism is:

 a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

Hmmm...

The basic problem with this term is the issue of degree. How "forcible" does suppression need to be? How "severe" does the "economic and social regimentation" need to be? Is an absolute dictator required?

It is difficult to see the raw definition applying anywhere in modern American politics, but I suppose some could argue that there may be a "hint" or "flavor" or fascism creeping into the mindset of various party operatives.

My hunch is that people are going to try to water down and redefine fascism to mean whatever makes their opponent look worse.

Fascism-light anybody?

Or maybe a little Neo-fascism?

-- Jack Krupansky

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