interesting read

[oldman420]

Fourteen Defining
Characteristics Of Fascism
By Dr. Lawrence Britt
Source Free Inquiry.co
5-28-3



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.http://www.libertyforum.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=news_constitution&Number=642 109&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1&t=-
http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

 

[Jmman]

And your comment is? I suppose the implication that Bush is a fascist, right? Anyway, that Rense.com site is about as far out there as you can get. Some of their other headlines:

Was Hitler a British agent?
Bush/Cheney impeached.
More Zionist threats, enemies of free speech.

 

[oldman420]

I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

In America I hope we wouldn't allow this.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: oldman420
I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

That's all well and nice, but the Mods would prefer you to express some opinion on this piece and why you feel it is important enough to post.

As per the stickied thread at the top of the forum:

In an effort to keep P&N a discussion forum and reduce the amount of inflamatory troll posts, please post more than simple links or complete quotes of articles that can be found by anyone. If you believe something is important enough to post, you must have some opinion of your own about the content of the article or link.

As it stands, you posted a very poorly-formatted and dense-appearing block of text, with no compelling reason as to why anyone should care, much less attempt to decipher and read your text.

 

[1EZduzit]

Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

 

[cKGunslinger]

I assume the "purpose" of this post is to try and compare the current administration to the characteristics of "fascism." Taking that as the theme, I'll address a few of these arguments.

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.

--> Nationalism is certainly nothing "new" in the US, it has always been a constant notion that the US is the greatest country in the world, due to it's history and foundations. This goes doubly-so in times of war. If anything, the current level of non-pride in the US is probably at an all-time high, surpassing even that of the Vietnam era.

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.

--> With the eyes of the world and its humanity organizations on us, all civilized countries are taking great steps to ensure that prisoners and captives are treated more humanely that in any other time in history. While the current admin's insistence on keeping invasive means on interrogation open are distressing, the watchers are doing their jobs.

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.

--> That's quite a stretch. I can't help but to notice that in the "list" of enemies, no ones listed conservatives, capitalists, etc. The overall tone of the piece is glaringly apparent. That said, during times of war, the enemy is always demonized, whether the country is fascist, democratic, whatever. War requires support. Supports requires a unifying cause. I guess that known facist, Jimmy Carter is also to blame for our anti-communism ideas. I hear he pioneered the "3-minutes of hate" program. :roll:

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.

--> This is true for almost all world powers, and doubly so for the US. Perhaps a truly legitimate comparison.

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.

--> The US is probably one of the most gender-equal nations in the world. We have been moving towards equality for all at phenomenal paces,as has most of the modern world. We are certainly not there yet, but are doing very well. I fail to see how the OP relates "divorce, abortion and homosexuality" to sexism. It appears he has simply taken the hot-button topics at the moment, and shoe-horned them into his agenda as further "proof." Very weak.

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.

--> Always has been, but today's media is vastly more "free" that it has ever been in all of history. This is a good thing.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

--> When we receive communique that states "We are going to attack your citizens.. again," it's hard to ignore such. I do think fear of terrorism has been exploited, but the US is *not* safe from attack, nor is any other country.

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.

--> Another possibly legitimate point. Whether this is a tenet of fascism, or just a tool of a popular ruling party is left to be seen, and to be monitored.

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.

--> This is a characteristic of facism? Abuse of Capitalism?

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.

--> Another huge stretch. Is the UAW a legitimate threat to our "facist government," or simply an out-dated, irrelevant organization that does more harm to its members and the future of our economy than good?

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.

--> No worries here in the US. While we have always glamorized sports "heroes" moreso than academics, we are certainly not smearing and suppressing intellectuals.

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.

--> Considering any officer accused and found guilty of abusive and oppressive behavior is terminated and punished, and the victims is granted large sums of $$ in return, I think we don't have much to worry about. The US is *not* a police state by any means, and as long as we have the 2nd amendment in tact *as it stands now,* we won't have to worry about that at all. Focus should be given to California and it's liberty-abusing laws that strive to suppress the constitution. Is it any wonder why so many police abuses occur in a state that enacts oppressing laws against gun ownership by its citizens?

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.

--> This is a characteristic of "government" not facism. As long as we have a free press, this will always remain in check. Power corrupts. No matter what the original intentions of those in power

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.

--> See #13.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

Actually, I'm in the process of formatting the OP so I can respond, so shove off, troll.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

Actually, I'm in the process of formatting the OP so I can respond, so shove off, troll.

Make me asshat. You left yourself wide open in your rush to critize the OPm now your formating the article?? Yeah, OK.

 

[oldman420]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

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.

you rock! I apreciate the assistance, sorry for any rule breaking I did

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

Actually, I'm in the process of formatting the OP so I can respond, so shove off, troll.

Make me asshat. You left yourself wide open in your rush to critize the OPm now your formating the article?? Yeah, OK.

Try to act a little more mature rather than always trying to jump on someone. As it is, CK only informed regarding the rules of the forum, it is probally better that we all did this, rather than have P$N turn into most policitcal forums where people just post articles and that is it, so we are flooded with articles and no comments. As it stands I have yet to see anyone, including you actually respond to this article. Myself included.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

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.

They missed the fact the public embraces these changes and refuses to belive that anything is happening.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

Actually, I'm in the process of formatting the OP so I can respond, so shove off, troll.

Make me asshat. You left yourself wide open in your rush to critize the OPm now your formating the article?? Yeah, OK.

Check the post times, troll. You beat my reformatted reply by a few seconds. :roll:

Do you have anything to add to the thread topic?

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

Actually, I'm in the process of formatting the OP so I can respond, so shove off, troll.

Make me asshat. You left yourself wide open in your rush to critize the OPm now your formating the article?? Yeah, OK.

Check the post times, troll. You beat my reformatted reply by a few seconds. :roll:

Well. since you asked, why didn't you just reformat and point the rules out in the same thread? Like to troll yourself, huh. :laugh: pot meet kettle

As for the topic, I don't need to comment on whether the current admin leans facisit. It's obvious to me they do.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Did you click opn the link:

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

or would you just rather piss and moan about the forum rules because you don't like the subject?

Actually, I'm in the process of formatting the OP so I can respond, so shove off, troll.

Make me asshat. You left yourself wide open in your rush to critize the OPm now your formating the article?? Yeah, OK.

Check the post times, troll. You beat my reformatted reply by a few seconds. :roll:

Well. since you asked, why didn't you just reformat and point the rules out in the same thread? Like to troll yourself, huh. :laugh: pot meet kettle

As for the topic, I don't need to comment on whether the current admin leans facisit. It's obvious to me they do.

You are really grasping here. The only troll in here I see is you attacking someone for pointing out a forum rule.

 

[oldman420]

man emotions run high these days,troll is really an ugly word to me.
the reason that I come to these forums is to get the opines and views of other intelligent people,people of ALL political persuasion religions ethnic backgrounds etc.

I indeed should have made some sort of comment but to be honest this type of name calling prevented me from doing so "dont want to get yelled at", I did indeed get a reaction here.

I indeed posted a poorly formatted poopy post with no comment,"and misspellings too I am sure" so the man had a right to point this out, on the other hand the other dissenting poster has a good point why assume that it was an attack on any one.

let this be a lesson in patience and the rule of law.
this one will prob get locked anyway.

once again cKGunslinger thanks for the reformat

 

[CSMR]

Originally posted by: oldman420
I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

In America I hope we wouldn't allow this.

The criteria seem to show that the British government in the second world war was basically fascist. I don't think so, frankly.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: CSMR

Originally posted by: oldman420
I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

In America I hope we wouldn't allow this.

The criteria seem to show that the British government in the second world war was basically fascist. I don't think so, frankly.

Facism was actually very strong in most countries during that time. Luckily not strong enough to come to absolute power though. Japaneese concentration camps in Canada and the US, persecution against jews was rampant (in Germans, the US and Britain). Let us not forget the communist witchunt that prevailed for a few decades...

 

[themusgrat]

Yeah, that is the biggest reach ever. Because we are big, in war, and some politicians are twitching sons of goats, we are a fascist nation.

 

[sandorski]

It doesn't mean the US is Fascist at the moment, but it should cause people to keep an eye on things as most of the parallels exist.

 

[oldman420]

Originally posted by: sandorski
It doesn't mean the US is Fascist at the moment, but it should cause people to keep an eye on things as most of the parallels exist.

bingo

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: CSMR

Originally posted by: oldman420
I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

In America I hope we wouldn't allow this.

The criteria seem to show that the British government in the second world war was basically fascist. I don't think so, frankly.

Facism was actually very strong in most countries during that time. Luckily not strong enough to come to absolute power though. Japaneese concentration camps in Canada and the US, persecution against jews was rampant (in Germans, the US and Britain). Let us not forget the communist witchunt that prevailed for a few decades...

You've managed to mangle together all the ..ism's and it may confuse some people. First, fascism, as an ideology of the ruling party, existed only in one country Italy. It is often lumped together with nazism. While sharing many perspectives with fascism, nazis were quite different in their core beliefs

I will agree, that both fascism and nazism enjoyed a strong support base and loyal following in many European countries, and in US as well. I am still not sure what Japanese internment camps had to do with OP's point.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: CSMR

Originally posted by: oldman420
I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

In America I hope we wouldn't allow this.

The criteria seem to show that the British government in the second world war was basically fascist. I don't think so, frankly.

Facism was actually very strong in most countries during that time. Luckily not strong enough to come to absolute power though. Japaneese concentration camps in Canada and the US, persecution against jews was rampant (in Germans, the US and Britain). Let us not forget the communist witchunt that prevailed for a few decades...

You've managed to mangle together all the ..ism's and it may confuse some people. First, fascism, as an ideology of the ruling party, existed only in one country Italy. It is often lumped together with nazism. While sharing many perspectives with fascism, nazis were quite different in their core beliefs

I will agree, that both fascism and nazism enjoyed a strong support base and loyal following in many European countries, and in US as well. I am still not sure what Japanese internment camps had to do with OP's point.

Sorry, my comment was not very coherent (what happens when the boss walks in )
The Japanese inter camps were to show that the US, Canada, Britain ect were also towing the line on some Facism points with signalling a certain race out for prosecution.

 

[CSMR]

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: CSMR

Originally posted by: oldman420
I believe that this a valid observation despite the source.
I leave open to each readers interpretation the meaning of the post.

In America I hope we wouldn't allow this.

The criteria seem to show that the British government in the second world war was basically fascist. I don't think so, frankly.

Facism was actually very strong in most countries during that time. Luckily not strong enough to come to absolute power though. Japaneese concentration camps in Canada and the US, persecution against jews was rampant (in Germans, the US and Britain). Let us not forget the communist witchunt that prevailed for a few decades...

I woudn't say that it was very strong at all. There was Mosley who a certain amount of support into the mid 1930s, but hardly a politically significant amount. How were Jews persecuted in Britain and the US? I haven't heard of persecution in Britain. And many Jews ended up moving to the US.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: CSMR
I woudn't say that it was very strong at all. There was Mosley who a certain amount of support into the mid 1930s, but hardly a politically significant amount. How were Jews persecuted in Britain and the US? I haven't heard of persecution in Britain. And many Jews ended up moving to the US.

I believe you are confusing the specific Nazi application of fascism with the general fascist political ideology. Ethnic persecution isn't a prerequisite for fascism.

 

[Harvey]

Spaces added to save my aging eyes: :Q

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.

Gosh, those sound familiar, in fact, far too familiar and close to home... exactly like the actions of the Bushwhacko machine, here and now. :|