What is a "fascist"?
The dictionaries say a "fascist" is "Someone who supports fascism". Gosh! That's a surprise... OK, then what is "fascism"?
One online definition is:
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism
There are lots of others, but they all kinda say the same thing.
Wikipedia has a lengthy article , with the following introduction:
Fascism ( / ˈ f æ ʃ ɪ z əm / ) is a form of far-right , authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition and strong regimentation of society and of the economy which came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe. The first fascist movements emerged in Italy during World War I , before spreading to other European countries . Opposed to liberalism , democracy , Marxism , and anarchism , fascism is placed on the far right within the traditional left–right spectrum .
Fascists saw World War I as a revolution that brought massive changes to the nature of war, society, the state, and technology. The advent of total war and the total mass mobilization of society had broken down the distinction between civilians and combatants. A "military citizenship" arose in which all citizens were involved with the military in some manner during the war. The war had resulted in the rise of a powerful state capable of mobilizing millions of people to serve on the front lines and providing economic production and logistics to support them, as well as having unprecedented authority to intervene in the lives of citizens.
Fascists believe that liberal democracy is obsolete and regard the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties. A fascist state is led by a strong leader such as a dictator and a martial law government composed of the members of the governing fascist party to forge national unity and maintain a stable and orderly society. Fascism rejects assertions that violence is automatically negative in nature and views imperialism , political violence and war as means that can achieve national rejuvenation. Fascists advocate a mixed economy , with the principal goal of achieving autarky (national economic self-sufficiency) through protectionist and economic interventionist policies. The extreme authoritarianism of fascism often manifests a belief in racial "purity" or a " master race ", usually synthesized with some variant of racism or bigotry of a demonized other ; the idea of "purity" has motivated fascist regimes to commit massacres , forced sterilizations , genocides , mass killings or forced deportations against a perceived other.
Since the end of World War II in 1945, few parties have openly described themselves as fascist, and the term is instead now usually used pejoratively by political opponents. The descriptions neo-fascist or post-fascist are sometimes applied more formally to describe contemporary parties of the far-right with ideologies similar to, or rooted in, 20th-century fascist movements.
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In the past, I've resumed this as:
⇒ authoritarian
⇒ xenophobe
Any objections?
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Nope
Very good. (Obviously, I'm going somewhere with this...)
You asked a simple question and I do what I do best...supply simple answers
Sure. But if the first (and so far, only) Reply had been sideways, things could have gotten messy.
I do find it rather hilarious when those on the right try to redefine fascism to mean the exact opposite calling those on the left socialists or "Marxists" while at the same time calling them fascists which is in direct opposition to socialism and liberalism. The truth is inconvenient to them and exposes them as the true fascists which is why they desperately try to rebrand and redefine fascism.
One other thing to point out, Antifa does not define what being anti-fascist actually is. The unorganized movement known as Antifa that the right has complained so much about and tried to label every person on the left is actually anarchism which most on the left condemn and do not agree with. While anarchism is opposed to fascism its methods and results are just as bad as the fascism they claim to be battling which is why they are condemned by the vast majority on the left. If you want to truly be anti-fascist you have to build people up, not tear them down. You have to create groups determined to protect our business and local communities and be inclusive of anyone wanting peace, security and a community that works for everyone.
I haven't really investigated antifa. It's name kinda says it all.
Back in the 1930s, there were some pretty nasty fascist organizations in the US. There was no antifa... but some Jewish groups took their place. Baseball bats were swung. The fascists were already lying low when the war came.
The problem today, of couse, is guns. Kyle Rittenhouse.
I dont think anyone would disagree with the provided definition or that it is not an acceptable form of government, at least i am not , some nuances might be debatable for conversations sake , but what is left is the question , what is a suitable alternative ?
That topic would be off-topic. Please do not go there. Feel free to start a new seed on that topic.