Title It's time to talk about fascism

No one wants to talk about fascism, but unless we do, and realise what is required to beat it then we are all in the deepest of trouble.

 

Jason Stanley  

 

1. The mythical past—used to invoke a nostalgia for a fictional time when the nation was great as it was not yet sullied by the “Other.”

2. Propaganda—to attack enemies, to justify violence, to justify laws against “Them” and to support the authoritarian leader.

3. Anti-intellectualism—to attack the media, universities, and scientists when they contradict the strong man’s authority.

4. Unreality—supporting conspiracy theories that tarnish the “Other” along with an outright denial of facts when convenient.

5. Hierarchy—espousing a “natural order” where the “Us” are hardworking, moral, law-abiding and productive members of society, while the “Other” is not.

6. Victimhood—casting “Us” as victims of “Them”, who are taking resources from “Us” and demanding special rights.

7. Law and order—using laws to justify violence, oppression, and expulsion of the “Other”.

8. Sexual anxiety—as the “Other” embraces non-traditional approaches to sexuality,

9. Appeals to the heartland—as rural communities are often more homogeneous and conservative (more “Us”) while urban cities are often more diverse, cosmopolitan (more “Them”).

10. Dismantling of public welfare and unity—by casting aside safety net programs as unfair giveaways to “Them”, who are not working, as opposed to “Us”, who are.