Authoritarianism

I believe an argument can be made that Fascism is in fact the melding of industry and government and nothing more. In fact, the symptoms we have been taught are what will happen if the people ever fight against the increasing melding of the United States’ industries and government. If this theory is true, then, the United States of America is and has been Fascist for nearly 50 years with increasing severity. The people seem to be waking up to the current state of corporate control and actually finding a will to fight against this Corporatocracy. It is safe to expect the historical tactics associated with fascism to begin being used in earnest on the public.

Context:

Before we dive into my opinion, let us read 4 quotes from the father of fascism, Benito Mussolini.

"1) The corporate State considers that private enterprise in the sphere of production is the most effective and useful instrument in the interest of the nation. In view of the fact that private organisation of production is a function of national concern, the organiser of the enterprise is responsible to the State for the direction given to production. 2) Fascism is definitely and absolutely opposed to the doctrines of liberalism, both in the political and economic sphere. 3) The Fascist State lays claim to rule in the economic field no less than in others; it makes its action felt throughout the length and breadth of the country by means of its corporate, social, and educational institutions, and all the political, economic, and spiritual forces of the nation, organised in their respective associations, circulate within the State. 4) Fascism accepts the individual only insofar as his interests coincide with the state's."

If you allow me, I’ll break those down into more ingestible chunks – consider this a segue to my opinion.

1.      Fascism is a corporate state.

2.      Fascism is against liberalism.

3.      Fascism is all encompassing seeping into media, schools, and social constructs.

4.      Fascism does not accept those unaligned with fascism.

Fascism is currently defined as: ‘an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.’

Fascism is currently described as: ‘a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement,[1][2][3] characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.’ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

Opinion:

While the above definition and descriptions are true, neither is Fascism. The above definition is a mixing of the vehicle, symptoms, and tactics used to maintain Fascism. The description is just the easiest way to maintain a population that won’t question Fascism.

It is no easy feat to maintain a Fascist government. If my definition holds true, the melding of government and industry leaves out a very important party, the people. It took modern USA about 50 years to catch on, but eventually the people figure out they’d been removed from the process aside from ceremonial purposes. Rightfully, they get pissed off. Until this moment, Fascism has been doing its best to game the system from the shadows.

I call this shadowy phase Fascism-lite; you may have heard it referred to as Neo-liberalism or Corporatism or Oligarchy. This is the best Fascism can do. It allows for the maximum control and/or profit while at the same time minimizing the need for oppression, national isolation, and war. A comfortable pen, if you will. That way if people call you out, you can point to the pen and be like, “What? Oppression? Look at all the cool stuff they have? How can that be Oppression?”

The problem remains that eventually humans get pissy about having every aspect of their lives being dictated for them, from what they can watch, to where they can go, what they can say, what they can believe, and even what they can do with their own bodies. Eventually opposition takes shape. It doesn’t happen overnight, the anger bubbles until it boils. Unfortunately, by the time people have been affected by fascism enough to take action, the Fascists are already prepared. Keep in mind, these are paranoid little shits.

Fascism prepares by gathering as many allies as quickly as possible – they don’t care about quality, only quantity, and fast. Which group of individuals is willingly going to give up their freedom AND act as a human shield if necessary?

1.      Those with lower education

2.      Those with distrust of large systems

3.      Those that grew up in strong hierarchy structures

4.      Those that grew up in environments encouraging group think

5.      Those indoctrinated at a young age to accept authority without evidence

In short, the far right side of the political spectrum, more specifically the religious fundamentalists, rural populations, and those suffering from poverty. So, it is likely that fascism’s nationalistic and right leaning behavior is just the simplest solution to a problem, needing followers. To protect the melding of industry and government?

By the time the people have organized enough to provide meaningful opposition to the Fascists it is already too late. During the transition from fascism-lite to Authoritarian Fascism or “Fascism Classic” a couple things will have happened.

1.      A figure head will have solidified, supported by the most fanatical

This is the most democratic process the Fascist allow and where authoritarianism comes into play. Only an individual willing to do absolutely anything to get power can take control of a group willing to do almost anything to maintain power. As a clear front runner takes control of the floundering corporatocracy, those wishing to maintain their position will flock to the front runner, doing everything they can to help that person maintain the system, inexplicably tying their future to that individual’s fate – this is where the reverence comes from, the leader becomes their life, almost literally.

2.       There will be a slow splintering of the corporatocracy and then a restructuring.

While the ruling class is guilty of great evil, there has been no need to be associated with the actual actions of evil. Out of sight out of mind, as it were. That is no longer the case. Some will leave, some will return, those that are useful will be embraced, those that are not will be made into a lesson for others. Those that do leave and stay separated from the fascists won’t last long, they are forced to either disappear or throw their lot in with whatever feasible organized opposition there way be.

3.      All means of opposition will have been destroyed or otherwise neutralized.

The consolidation of power and self-protection is never ending. Most Fascist regimes have revolving doors for the positions closest to the Leader, as failure is never acceptable and never the fault of Leader. That same level of paranoia and ego extends beyond just those in the Leader’s immediate surroundings and is what leads to the mass cleansing of those that do not align with the fascist ideology – while these cleansings can lead to mass death, in the digital age wiping them from the internet and sanctioning their ability to continuing speaking against the regime is much more likely.

Conclusion:

When looking at the description of fascism, how many of these characteristics are simply tactics harnessed as a vehicle for the melding of industry and government? What characteristics are simply control mechanism put in place to keep the population from acting against the melding of industry and government?

·       a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement,[1][2][3] 

·       characterized by a dictatorial leader,

·       centralized autocracy, 

·       militarism,

·       forcible suppression of opposition,

·       belief in a natural social hierarchy,

·       subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or race,

·       strong regimentation of society and the economy.

Think of the greatest modern issues facing our nation.

·       Corporate owned political parties

·       For profit healthcare protected by the government

·       For profit prisons supported by the government

·       Companies and industries propped up by government spending

·       An elite group of individuals surrounding a figurehead

·       Unending war

·       Militarized and unaccountable police forces

·       Pay walls for information and education

The United States has long fit the definition of a Fascist Nation, however, we are about to enter a whole new level of fascism.

Where it goes from here is anyone’s guess, but I’d put my money on things heading in a, uh, not good direction.

Want to learn about the vehicle Trump will use for transitioning us to Authoritarian Fascism? Read up on the Alien’s and Sedition Acts of 1798.