What is the def of Facist? I have heard several which is the most telling?

[cortiz]

:confused:

[rooteroa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

[HazardPerry]

From Wikipedia:


Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and social interests subordinate to the interests of the state or party. Fascists seek to forge a type of national unity, usually based on (but not limited to) ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious attributes. Various scholars attribute different characteristics to fascism, but the following elements are usually seen as its integral parts: nationalism, statism, militarism, totalitarianism, anti-communism, corporatism, populism, collectivism, and opposition to political and economic liberalism.[

Not such a controversial quote anymore...:rolleyes:

[Chester Copperpot]

Corporatism. Where the State and big business collude to exert and extend their own power over the rights of the people.

[Dave Wood]

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/BRI411A.html

This link will give you a good start.

Italys Mussolini-----google his govt to what real fascist states are like.

[pacelli]

Fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Fascism

Pretty easy to find a definition eh?

[mwkaufman]

Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and social interests subordinate to the interests of the state or party. Fascists seek to forge a type of national unity, usually based on (but not limited to) ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious attributes.

So Huckabee, Rudy and McCain are the worst offenders, with Huckabee carrying the cross of white evangelicals and Rudy and McCain wrapping themselves in the flag against Islamic fascism. Particularly ironic, as they themselves are sort of propping up a form of JudeoChristian fascism.

[Dave Wood]

www.globalresearch.ca
Centre for Research on Globalisation
Centre de recherche sur la mondialisation



The 14 Characteristics of Fascism
by Lawrence Britt

Free Inquiry Magazine, Spring 2003
www.globalresearch.ca 7 November 2004

The URL of this article is: http://globalresearch.ca/articles/BRI411A.html


Political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt recently wrote an article about fascism ("Fascism Anyone?," Free Inquiry, Spring 2003, page 20).

Studying the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile), Dr. Britt found they all had 14 elements in common. He calls these the identifying characteristics of fascism. The excerpt is in accordance with the magazine's policy.


The 14 characteristics are:


Powerful and Continuing Nationalism

Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottoes, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.


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.


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.


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.


Rampant Sexism

The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.


Controlled Mass Media

Sometimes the 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.


Obsession with National Security

Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.


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.


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.


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 .


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 is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.


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.


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.


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.

[Lucid American]

Corporatism. Where the State and big business collude to exert and extend their own power over the rights of the people.

I think that's the best definition.

There are the characteristics, but those aren't necessary as much as they are ways of marketing / influencing the people to support fascism.

Interesting to remember that fascism was all the rage before Hitler gave it a bad name with the holocaust. Most people don't even realize that a Marine general (Smedley Butler) was approached by corporate representatives to overthrow FDR and set up a fascist state in the US. This is also what Eisenhower warned of in his farewell speech, and it is, sadly what we have made great strides toward especially over the past decade.

[paulie]

I think even needs to watch Pan's Labyrinth for a good look at what fascism is like. I also personally like the way the Italians ended fascism in their county...I just pray we have enough lightpoles in this country when we need to fight fascism at home.

[Real_CaGeD]

Wall Mart is one obvious sign. Wall Mart is the "state store". Haliburton and the MIC is the clincher.

[Original_Intent]

The best definition I ever heard was that " Communism OWNS the means of production, while Fascism allows private ownership, but through regulation has complete control over the means of production".

[m72mc]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5057555023195472231

[manny]

I think it was George Orwell who said the word fascist had been used against so many people as to be meaningless. And it is these days used often in that sense- just a short-hand for someone who holds fairly authoritarian views who is disliked. Some loony-left will apply it to anyone who isn't a socialist. (Though it's worth noting that Hitler - a national socialist - is often given as the ultimate example of fascism)

I believe Ron was using the term to apply to a corporatist mindset, which placed populist policies ahead of constitutional rights... which is a distinct possibility whenever governments try to push religious views on people as Huckabee would probably try. I am sure he is also aware of the huge military industrial and inflation based body he is up against and who would prefer Huckabee 100x over him.

Ron was, in short, using a very academic definition of the word which will be lost on most people. As to whether it was a good idea I don't know. Past incidents suggest that if Huck tries to make something of it, Mike will come off second best, just as Rudy did when he challenged Paul over foreign policy.

Either way I feel great pride that RP is willing to speak out against those false appeals to patriotism, to giving up freedom for security or religion, and instead push for a republic of individual freedom. If he doesn't make President, it's the world's loss.

[davidkachel]

Fascism: George Bush's dream for America. (And I voted for the Nazi sonofabitch, TWICE!)

[haaaylee]

read naomi's wolf's "end of america."

[johngr]

read naomi's wolf's "end of america."

That's an odd title for someone who helped get reelected someone who actively participated in its deconstruction and who endorses someone (Hillary) who would further take things in the direction Bill did with his federal grants to local police departments that went a long way toward militarizing them tactically, equipment-wise and culturally and with his bombing and other acts of war against lands that never once aggressed against the US.

The word fascist has been bled dry of denotative meaning it once had and has become a smear word meaning of "anyone whom a "progressive" (read: communist) disagrees with politically".

[haaaylee]

That's an odd title for someone who helped get reelected someone who actively participated in its deconstruction and who supports someone (Hillary) who would further take things in the direction Bill did.

The word fascist has been bled dry of denotative meaning it once had and has become a smear word meaning of "anyone whom a "progressive" (read: communist) disagrees with politically".


Naomi endorses Ron Paul and speaks of him often. ....

[johngr]

Naomi endorses Ron Paul and speaks of him often. ....

Bullshit! She endorses Hillary.

As popular and as well-known on the topic as he is, she has to mention Ron Paul or she'd look like an idiot. She always mentions him tangentially, has said he's on the "other side" (whatever that means). It's impossible for Naomi Wolf to have endorsed Ron Paul because she has not changed her party affiliation of Republican. She does not endorse Ron Paul for President. She endorses Hillary Clinton.

[haaaylee]

Bullshit! She endorses Hillary.

As popular and as well-known on the topic as he is, she has to mention Ron Paul or she'd look like an idiot. She always mentions him tangentially, has said he's on the "other side" (whatever that means). It's impossible for Naomi Wolf to have endorsed Ron Paul because she has not changed her party affiliation of Republican. She does not endorse Ron Paul for President. She endorses Hillary Clinton.

why did you just copy and paste from your other post?

anyways,

http://www.dailypaul.com/node/3764

and

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/finally-action-ron-pau_b_69042.html


she also openly said on a radio program the only person she believes can save america is ron paul. anyone who says good things and supports ron in these important ways shouldn't be insulted. maybe she supports hillary as well, she is a feminist. that kind of makes sense. but she hasn't officially endorsed either as far as i know.