Is It Fascism Yet?

The most frequently asked question I’ve been hearing lately is some version of “is it fascism yet?” Variations on this abound, including demands I use the term fascism to describe our current circumstances. However, I remain reluctant. Here’s why.

A Working Definition of Fascism

Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by the following core elements:

• Ultranationalism: Emphasis on national or racial superiority, often tied to a mythologized past.

• Centralized Authority: Concentration of power in a single leader or party, with little tolerance for dissent.

• Anti-Democratic Tendencies: Rejection of democratic norms and processes, with a focus on undermining liberal institutions.

• Militarism and Violence: Glorification of violence, militarism, and the use of force to achieve political goals.

• Mass Mobilization and Propaganda: Heavy reliance on mass mobilization, propaganda, and emotional appeals to create a cult-like following.

• Suppression of Opposition: Silencing of dissent through censorship, intimidation, and sometimes state-sanctioned violence.

• Corporatism: A merging of state and corporate power to direct economic and social policy, often while crushing organized labor and independent unions.

Comparison: U.S. Democratic Backsliding vs. Fascism

The democratic backsliding and rise of authoritarianism in the U.S. share some traits with fascism but diverge in key ways. Here’s a comparison:

Similarities to Fascism

1. Undermining Democratic Norms:

   • Efforts to erode trust in elections (e.g., claims of fraud, attempts to overturn results) resemble fascist tactics of delegitimizing democratic processes.

   • Disregard for checks and balances by expanding executive power mirrors the authoritarian centralization seen in fascist regimes.

2. Propaganda and Nationalism:

   • The use of propaganda and the promotion of ultranationalist rhetoric (e.g., "America First") echoes fascistic appeals to national superiority.

   • Mythologizing a "lost" past (e.g., the call to "Make America Great Again") aligns with the fascist emphasis on reclaiming a glorified history.

3. Glorification of Violence:

   • The normalization of political violence, as seen in events like January 6, parallels the fascist embrace of violence as a tool for achieving political goals.

4. Targeting Marginalized Groups:

   • Anti-immigrant rhetoric, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and racialized scapegoating align with fascist tendencies to unify a population by vilifying "outsiders."

5. Corporate Symbiosis:

   • The intertwining of corporate power and political influence, such as efforts to deregulate and centralize wealth, reflects fascist corporatism, though without fully eliminating capitalist competition.

Differences from Fascism

1. Lack of a Unified Ideology:

   • Unlike fascist movements, which are ideologically cohesive, the U.S. has a mix of authoritarian players with varying motivations (e.g., Christian nationalism, neoliberalism, white nationalism). These groups use overlapping tactics but lack a single, cohesive ideology.

2. Institutional Resistance:

   • Democratic institutions in the U.S. (e.g., courts, independent media, state governments) still function as significant barriers to authoritarian consolidation, a feature absent in full-blown fascist regimes.

3. Economic Structure:

   • While there is significant corporate influence in politics, the U.S. economy remains largely capitalist, without the state-led corporatist structure typical of fascism.

4. Multiplicity of Players:

   • Fascism often revolves around a single charismatic leader and unified party. The U.S. landscape includes multiple actors (e.g., political factions, grassroots movements, oligarchs), each vying for influence.

5. Diversity and Pluralism:

   • The U.S. remains more diverse and pluralistic than classic fascist regimes, with substantial counter-movements advocating for civil rights and democracy.

Is It Fascism or a Mixed Bag?

The current authoritarian drift in the U.S. is better described as a mixed bag of ideologies united by their shared goal of consolidating power and dismantling democratic institutions. Key players deploy fascistic tactics such as propaganda, political violence, and ultranationalist rhetoric, but their motivations and ideologies differ. For example:

• Christian Nationalists: Seek to impose religious dominance through authoritarian governance.

• White Nationalists: Aim to reassert racial hierarchy and oppose multiculturalism.

• Corporatists/Plutocrats: Focus on preserving economic power by weakening labor protections and public institutions.

• Populists: Rally anti-elite sentiment but often use it to justify anti-democratic policies.

These factions sometimes align tactically but differ in long-term goals, making their coalition inherently unstable.

Why Is This Distinction Important?

Understanding the distinction between fascism and a coalition of authoritarian players is crucial for effective resistance:

1. Targeted Strategies:

   • Identifying the ideological diversity within the authoritarian coalition allows activists to exploit divisions between factions. For example, corporate elites may not fully align with the social goals of Christian or white nationalists.

2. Mobilizing Broad Coalitions:

   • Labeling all authoritarian actors as "fascist" may alienate potential allies, including conservatives who oppose authoritarianism but do not identify with far-right ideologies.

   • Recognizing the nuances helps build broader coalitions against authoritarianism by appealing to shared values like rule of law and democratic governance.

3. Preventing Oversimplification:

   • Mischaracterizing the situation as purely "fascist" risks ignoring the unique context of U.S. democratic backsliding, including its reliance on disinformation, voter suppression, and corporate influence.

4. Historical and Structural Insight:

   • Fascism arose in specific historical contexts (e.g., post-WWI Europe). While elements of fascism exist in the U.S., understanding the distinct challenges of democratic backsliding in a modern, highly connected, and diverse society enables more nuanced resistance.

Key Takeaway

The U.S. is not experiencing fascism in its purest form but rather a convergence of authoritarian actors using fascistic tactics. Recognizing this distinction empowers activists to develop targeted, informed strategies to resist authoritarianism and protect democratic institutions, while avoiding the pitfalls of oversimplification and mischaracterization, and, importantly, it suggests that there are divisions that can be exploited among the authoritarians. However, describing them as if they are a unified and monolithic movement may cause pro democracy factions to react to that movement in ways that will encourage them to grow more ideologically cohesive and unified.