Fascism what is it? In some Western nations’ politics today the word fascism is thrown around whenever a politician does something someone does not like. Fascism is a form of authoritarian and ultra-nationalistic ideology characterized by dictatorship, forcible suppression of individuals, and strong regimentation of society and economy. The movement first appeared in Italy during WWI and then spread to other European nations. This ideology opposed liberalism, anarchism, and Marxism; it finds its place among far-righters. Commonly associated with Nazism in Germany and with Mussolini. Robert Paxton, a professor who is credited with starting fascism studies, defined the term as “a form of political practice distinctive to the 20th century that arouses popular enthusiasm by sophisticated propaganda techniques for an anti-liberal, anti-socialist, violently exclusionary, expansionist nationalist agenda.”
Even though fascism has a few differing definitions, it does have some core elements. These include allegiance to a nation, to a national grandeur, and to a master race or group. According to Paxton, the only definition of morality for fascism is to make its nation stronger, more powerful, larger, and more successful. They see nationalism as the only good in society. The regimes excel in propaganda and make grand gestures such as parades. Demonizing other groups and using them as scapegoats is common, but who they tend to hate on depend on the particular fascist regime. Nazis famously used Jews ( and others like the Roma), while Mussolini mainly targeted Bolsheviks.
Strong feelings are more important than philosophical ideas and logical thought. In Paxton’s 1988 essay “The Five Stages of Fascism” he defined seven feelings that helped get the regimes off the ground. These are:
1. Primacy of the group. Individuality is not important, group is first.
2. The group believes it’s the victim. Justifying its behavior towards the “other,” othering is very common.
3. Individualism and liberalism are considered dangerous.
4. Brotherhood or community are tightly held. Unity is important for the purity of the group.
5. One’s self-esteem is tied up within the group.
6. There is usually one leader, always male, who is held to a high extreme. In the modern context, it is not far-fetched to see a female leading such a group, but so far men dominate fascist policies.
7. Violence is important for a group’s success, usually tied to a superior race or culture.
Paxton wrote that once in power, “fascist dictatorships suppressed individual liberties, imprisoned opponents, forbade strikes, authorized unlimited police power in the name of national unity and revival, and committed military aggression.” One reason fascism is hard to spot or define is that it takes on the characteristics of its country, leading to variations. Fascism is not a cookie-cutter ideology, but according to Paxton religion could play a huge role in the United States fascism, and Europe’s would play off of secularism. Countries can mimic fascist elements but not actually be fascist; France would be a perfect example. Using the word as an insult and the constant use of throwing it around has made the term diluted.
So, was the Trump administration fascist? It’s hard to say, but we have to look at the four years of Trump’s presidency to see. Paxton does not believe that America is in a fascist regime but “what I think we have in this country is much more traditional conservatism…the basic social-political program is individualism, not for everyone, but [for] entrepreneurs. It supports the right of businesspeople to seek maximum profit without rules of regulations.” Instead, the USA is an oligarchy which is when a small group of people controls the country. The American oligarchy has learned how to win popular support either through media framing or buying it, resembling fascism.
During the George Floyd protests and riots, Trump took to Twitter, as he does, on Sunday, May 31, 2020, to lash out at the media, Antifa, anarchists, and Democrats. He told the national guard to shut down the ANTIFA (anti-fascist) at the protest in Minneapolis. He tried painting the protests, in most of his tweets, as an anti-fascist and as anarchist whom he has denounced throughout his presidency. The violence in these riots was not done by ANTIFA or anarchists but instead by police officers themselves, white supremacists, and lone wolves. The National Guard even was caught on video shooting paint canisters in residential neighborhoods. So-called “Democratic cities” were threatened with militarization if the protest continued.
It was a tweet that called for ANTIFA to be labeled a terrorist organization that saw the most attention. The groups are a loose collective of militant and leftist groups who are opposed to anything authoritarian, homophobic, racist, or xenophobic. They try to stop any action that they view as fascist, racist, or far-right. They are not a single entity and can be very problematic as some have adopted islamophobic principles. It is unclear if the president can declare anyone with a political belief a terrorist, some experts say he “might not have the authority.” Being able to label the group terrorists does have terrifying implications for criminalizing speech and the right to protest. The journalists who were arrested or assaulted while covering the protests were attacked by Trump as he accused them of “hatred and anarchy.”
When looking at the seven core feelings for fascism and comparing it with Trump, we do see striking resemblances. Any group that opposes Trump, regardless if it only opposes him on his clothing choices is labeled “fake news”, “dumb”, “ugly”, “wrong”, “terrorist”, and etc. There is this constant use of othering minority groups such as Muslims and Hispanics, not to mention the Muslim ban and putting immigrants into camps. While it is true the United States has placed individuals into camps, like the Japanese in WWII, the differences between WWII and today are quite different. Brotherhood, nationalism, self-esteem, violence/Darwinism, and male leadership are all feelings that can be checked under Trump. This is still not enough to call Trump a fascist; for Jason Stanley Trump, talks more like a fascist than actually acting out like a fascist; i.e. he doesn’t “govern” like one. Stanley clearly states that “I’ll point to a step Trump has taken – he’s using ICE to round up children, he’s surrounding himself with loyalists and generals, he’s using the apparatus of government to dig up dirt on a political rival – and the response is always ‘Sure, that’s bad, but’s not big enough step to justify the F-word.’ I’m starting to feel like the it’s- not – a – big- enough- step people won’t be happy until they’re in concentration camps.”
Trump could have used the protest that went on in 2020 right as a means to gain power, and according to many, he did. What’s even more disturbing is that during the virus (beginning) and the protests his approval rating remained steady, and individuals have gotten stronger. This would eventually lead to the Jan. insurrection.
During the stimulus check release, Trump had the checks bear his name and even threatened to over adjourn congress. Trump remarked, “When somebody’s the President of the United States, the authority is total. It’s total.” Trump’s own presidency has seen him openly fire any individual that disagrees with him. Just two weeks ago press rebutted for asking too many questions about COVID-19.
During the impeachment trials, Trump’s lawyers argued that Trump was above the law because he is a president. Even though the evidence against the President of the United States is numerous, Trump was not impeached. There are these numerous pieces of evidence that Trump is more than just a puppet or a big talker. His speeches and tweets bring inspiration to numerous Americans who follow him blindly despite the evidence against him. Trump started his presidential nomination on the idea of “Make America Great Again”, producing MAGNA hats for his followers to wear.
Fascism today is not going to look like a copy-and-paste mold of Nazi Germany. Like other scholars in the political science field, I believe there is no definite answer on fascism or who is or is not a fascist. Jason Stanely is correct in pointing out that Trump is more likely a talker rather than a doer. Big talk does inspire prejudices, as we can clearly see with the rise of the far-right. Targeting groups like the ones participating in the riots is a perfect way for a government to limit the freedom of expression. The United States government can still pass fascist laws and not be fascists. Fascism today is going to use soft power and media influence. By working strategically, governments can limit people’s rights and make them think it was their idea. At the end of the day if it quacks like a duck, looks like a duck it is probably a duck.
**News coming out while writing this article ****
Trump appeared in front of a church holding a Bible upside after using tear gas to clear his way to the boarded-up church. Later at the Rose Garden, Trump said he would deploy the United States active-duty military if National Guard isn’t used more forcefully. He plans on invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act, which does allow presidents to deploy the military to deal with civil disorder. Trump suggested that the U.S. Army unleash air assaults upon protestors.