Introduction
America is aware of the steadfast changes’ political institutions, ideologies and movements can undergo in a matter of decades. The nation has maintained its image and practice as a representative democracy for centuries now, however in recent times there has been an increase in threats to said democracy. Extensive institutional and systemic inequality has been incorporated into the economical, societal, and political norms of the nation. These developments have created a deep divide and distrust in the two-party system, rampant bigotry based on white-supremacy, and suppression through the capitalist class structure, extreme militarism, and undermining of liberal fundamentals. Though American democracy is largely still effective, these patterns pose a greater risk of transforming into fascism. By definition fascism is a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. After the devastation caused by World War 1, Benito Mussolini seized control of a weakened Italy exercising his power through nationalism and violence to establish an authoritative government. He coined the term “Fascism” three years before taking his place as prime minister, where he ruled for 23 years until he was voted out of power. The success of the ideals cultivated by Mussolini lived on after his death, inspiring various fascist movements across Europe and other nations. The most famous example of fascism originated in Germany due to the rise of Hitler’s Nazi party regime, by pushing an ultra-nationalist agenda that insisted Germany was the best country in the entire world (and the Aryan race was a superior “master race”) (Fascist Countries 2020, 2022). This paper will explore the main tenets of fascism and to determine if America has adopted various aspects of this ideology in contemporary times. I will focus on the main tenets and historical examples of fascism to analyze evidence of the rise of fascism in the USA. Evidence consists of a comparative review to present the common characteristics between America and other countries and the perilous nature that will follow the rise of Fascism in America.
Basic principles
When observing an authoritarian system such as fascism it’s important to define and understand the principles it manipulates to achieve the goal of power. These principles occur in sequential stages because, “the consistency of fascism lies exclusively in the effort of the dominant economic groups to create a political form to perpetuate their power which can only be done through destruction of all democratic rights and through a military economy.” (Stern, 1941). In order to fulfill the needs of the political form and perpetuate power a dictator must establish themselves and their agenda to glorify nationalism through myths in spite of science and liberalism. The dictatorial leaders of fascist states wielded violence as their primary tool to remain uncontested through coups or invitation, deploying armed forces to quell efforts of mutiny. Though fascist states are led by one entity, the mass mobilization of citizens is required to sustain the objective of power. Military and police intimidation tactics render citizens fearful of retaliation, coercing them to participate in the hierarchical standards of the nation for survival. In the quest to sustain a unified nation, “in its intense glorification and idealization of the omnipotent State, the individual loses his significance and identity, while whatever rights he may have possessed are transmuted into thoroughgoing restraints upon individual action and superior obligations of a predominating nature” (Steiner, 1935). Imposing strong nationalistic tendencies in citizens enables the leader to demoralize liberal ideologies and escalate intolerance towards anyone who does not fit into the superior group of the nation. In most cases minorities of the state are subjected to state sponsored violence, in addition to violence by the unoppressed class. Alternatively, due to the multifaceted nature of fascism people assume that the extreme form of nationalism is how fascism manifests itself, but this differs from state to state. Religion, race, or social class can all play an important part in who is considered a minority, in conjunction with the leader determining who has and what constitutes as a right. Fascists carry a “belief that one’s group is a victim, a sentiment which justifies any action against the group’s enemies, internal as well as external.” (Paxton, 1998). Fascism is structured to repeal the freedom of democracy, prioritizing fallacy over fact, because “fascism does not base its claims to validity on their truth. Fascists despise thought and reason, abandon intellectual positions casually, and cast aside many intellectual fellow-travelers” (Paxton, 1998). Allowing citizens to have individual rights dilutes power away from the leader which is why, “they have been willing to scrap the use of the liberal-democratic state or the constitutional dictatorship and to institute fascism.” (Stern, 1941).
Historical Structure
From 1900 to 1945 there were 24 countries who sought to create a fascist form of government, each uniquely different but relatively short lived. While I provide historical examples of how fascist governments manifest, I will also identify common trends within the groups that espouse fascist ideology. To understand the core of fascist governments it is essential we examine it from the initial starting point in Italy. The rise of Benito Mussolini in 1922 set the foundation for future fascist regimes across Europe and the Western hemisphere. Mussolini organized the march on Rome utilizing the Black Shirts an armed forced group comprised of enthusiastic supporters of the fascist regime to ascertain power. He declared himself the dictator of Italy in 1925, denouncing democracy with the dissolvement of parliament beginning a series of repressive reforms. He started with outlawing opposition political parties and abolishing free press. Furthermore, to assure absolute power he ordered spies and armed soldiers to imprison anyone suspected of anti-fascist activities, he would later include members of the Jewish community in these tirades. Though the political and economical environment had drastically changed in Italy, Mussolini remained a notable figure to Italian citizens. Aside from internal dominion Mussolini sought to revert Italy back to its former glory externally, by invaded and occupied Ethiopia in 1935. The political objectives Benito Mussolini instituted through the political philosophy of fascism went on to inspire fascist movements in other countries planting the roots of totalitarianism.
Germany is the most widely known and studied example of fascism by gaining power through force and implementing the most extreme tenets into the government. Following his tenure fighting in World War 1, Adolf Hitler devised strategic plans modeled after Benito Mussolini, to create a better German state. Prior to taking office he ran in state elections, garnering large support from the low-income faction of citizens, who he promised to help. In 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany, quickly cementing his role as an unrelenting captivating and monopolizing dictator. Hiller construed fascism to his will in his creation of the Nazi party, a paramilitary organization he commanded to dismantle democracy, suppress ethic groups to create a “pure master race” for the Aryan race, and further his political objectives. Hitler believed that the Aryan race was superior in the racial hierarchy of mankind and minorities should be eradicated for true peace. He despised anyone that was not a racially pure German and propagated citizens to abhor and alienate those of the Jewish community. He thought of Jewish people as subhuman communist yet powerful capital financiers. In his totalitarian structure he mobilized and commanded the Nazi party against the Jewish community making genocide a successful reality. Nazi soldiers forcefully seized 11 million placing them into concentration camps to be executed, while publishing antisemitic literature in the newspapers.
Engelbert Dollfuss ascended to power as the chancellor of Austria in 1932. He advocated against joining the Nazi regime headed by Adolf Hitler, in an effort to create his own authoritarian government, the Vaterlandische Front (‘Fatherland Front”). Engelbert aligned himself with Heimwehr, a right-wing organization that endorsed the fascist ideals established by Benito Mussolini. Unlike his predecessors Dollfuss did not share the same anti-democracy sentiments when forming his “Christian, German, authoritarian state organized on a corporate basis and modeled loosely on the fascist state of Italy.” (Kondert, 19967). However, his dissatisfaction with democracy grew within his first year as chancellor due to the opposition he faced from the democratic socialist. This eroded his faith in cooperation with parliament, causing him to single handedly disband and outlaw it in 1933 along with the Social Democratic Party in 1934. The shift from democracy to fascism was accompanied by the loss of rights for Austrian citizens. Dollfus banned public meetings, imposed strict censorship of the press, and abolished all other political parties. Engelbert’s dictatorial actions were cosponsored by his inspiration Mussolini, as the two allied with each other. Both men used the paramilitary group Heimwehr to terminate any attempts to overthrow the system of fascism.
As observed in the historical context fascism seeks to be the antithesis of democratic governments and can thrive under applicable circumstances. “Fascism is not a European monopoly. In various guises and with varying degrees of success it has appeared on the American scene at least five times during the course of our history.” (Bernard, 1938). Though American fascist movements largely failed in the first half of the 20th century, the superiority complex embedded into western society stimulates fascist patterns. The nation’s strength thrived off of the racial hierarchy of slavery. Even though African Americans were the leading targets of white supremacy, these oppressive traditions also applied to other ethnic groups such as Native Americans, Latin American and Chinese immigrants. The enslaved community primarily made up the working class, however they received no compensation or human rights, causing them to regularly revolt against the ruling class. Slave masters feared retaliation, leading them to establish the American police force in 1838. The police forced divided into two separate factions one for crime and the other for thwarting slave rebellions. To enforce order the police were allowed to use state sponsored violence against minorities of the state. Slavery continued to cause internal conflicts leading to the Civil War, resulting in the emancipation of African Americans. These actions proved to be threatening to the repute of our representative democracy, introducing the totalitarian nature of fascism. Southerners converted members of the police force into the white supremacy group, the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK personified the first signs of fascism through state sponsored violence. The KKK sought to re-establish white supremacy through intimidation tactics, mass murder, and disregard for democratic proceedings. The organization indoctrinated ideas of race science in nationalism enticing white citizens to believe they’re superior and should recognize minorities as subhuman. In theory, “all that it took to purify the United States, the Klan assumed, was safeguarding the supremacy of white, Protestant, native-born Americans by an infusion of high- minded Klansmen into political office.” (Amann, 1986). During the reconstruction era of the 1860s the KKK purposefully and successfully challenged the legitimacy of the constitution to ensure the disenfranchisement of African Americans. Despite the fact, the fourteenth and fifteenth granted certain rights to them the organization contested against these actions regularly. The main goal was to counteract granting minorities the right to vote, run for public offices, or serve of juries. The brutality of this early fascist movement provided a structural example of how to exert power using a militaristic extension of the state. It also served a beacon of inspiration to prominent fascist, namely Adolf Hitlers Nazi party. At the conclusion of the nineteenth century, the Ku Klux Klan divulged from the public eye due to the outlawing of their organization. Nevertheless, this did not stop them from operating or their participation in the Jim Crow era of the next century.
Rise of Fascism in America
The American republic experienced significant ideological shifts in economical practices, social movements, and political motivations. Within the state racial codes were still heavily enforced through the criminal justice system and governmental authority. Presidential administrations implemented laws aimed at protecting, racial, social and class structure, while advancing their political agendas abroad. Jim Crows laws were put into effect to segregate African Americans from their white counterparts, until the military industrial complex became the nation’s top priority. Fourteen years into the twentieth century America entered the first of five major wars. The consequent success of these interstate conflicts allowed America to achieve its goal of global hegemon, magnifying the nationalistic propaganda promoted to citizens. Subsequentially, “thoroughgoing nationalists in the United States are to be found among those professionals to whom militarism and aggression are the very blood of life, or among those “journalists” and politicians who find the stimulation of national consciousness highly profitable” “Steiner, 1935). The nation fortified the support of citizens by fabricating and scapegoating an enemy out of the fears of communism, minorities, and foreigners. Desperate to preserve a newfound prestige the country turned communism into a statewide issue to stop the influence of alternative political systems. Similar to the budding fascist movements taking place simultaneously, “the Fascist movement has been directed primarily against the real or fancied danger of Communism.” (Steiner, 1935). Social Movement also evolved during this time to withstand systemic opposition, championing for equal rights. These actions of civil disobedience agitated devoted nationalist and state authorities dredging up old fascist tendencies. The inception of the Civil Rights Movement once again invoked the violence of both state police and the KKK, in addition to a newly formed organization the Aryan Brotherhood, neo-Nazi prison gang and an organized crime syndicate. These forces were deployed to break up peaceful assemblies, enforce racial segregation and vote against the rights of minorities to sustain political influence. Support culminated from the tenacity of protesters helped minorities overcome the oppressive racial standards of the state. The long-oppressed minorities of the USA had finally gained equal rights, however systematic issues of racism and white supremacy are not easily eradicated instead they pursue transformative methods. The fascist movements of the twentieth operated covertly through hate groups and laws that deprived the lower social class of equal rights. These scapegoat tactics of the twentieth century paved the way for the intense political division, Trumpism and overt fascist dog whistles unfolding in the twenty-first century.
The foundations of fascism had to abide by the thriving conscious of Democratic standpoints, finding solidarity within Republican and conservative doctrine in the twenty-first century. The early 2000’s propelled the nation into an influx of technological advancements, foreign policy conflicts, social movements, and defiance of democratic procedures. On September 11, 2001, the state entered an interstate conflict with Afghanistan following the terroristic attacks that killed thousands of Americans. In light of the events that took place during this time, government authorities capitalized on citizens fear, strengthening the allegiance of patriots to the country and military. Thousands of civilians enlisted into the military afterwards, as xenophobic violence grew towards those of Islamic faith or middle Eastern decent. Stricter laws were put in place for modern enemy ethic groups as others assembled for justice. At the expense of building a formidable military, the police underwent a second wave of militarization throughout the 90s that produced paramilitary S.W.A.T brigades to mobilize against unruly citizens. As previously stated, social movements evolved, but so did the forces to repress them. The masses organized to advocate and protect the intersectional interest of marginalized groups such as: ending police brutality towards African Americans, codifying laws of women’s rights, Enacting laws that protect and acknowledge members of the LGBTQIA, and outlawing voter suppression tactics. Identity and liberalism were at the forefront of the democratic party, conservative republicans campaigned against these rights, in favor of law and order according to Christian values. This piloted a philosophical disconnect between democrats and far-right republicans. Furthermore, the 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama wedged tensions even further over disputes of a minority leader and border protection. Haitian and Mexican immigrants were used as scapegoats by the Republican party in national security rhetoric as democrats overseen human rights violations at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. While ICE officers terrorized and abused immigrants, the nation utilized the police in the same manner for African Americans.
By 2012 the African American community had seen hundreds of men, women and children murdered at the hands of officers with little to no consequences. The Black Lives Matter Movement gained traction through social media and physical protest, resisting police intimidation tactics. The demand for a republican leader grew switching from the Obama administration to the Trump administration where we can observe the accessible nature of fascism. Trump embodied the basic makings of a dictator, enabling a return to ultranationalism, summoning a nationalist group to spread his philosophy, and exclusionary state goals aimed at minorities. At his prime in 2016, “Trump brought his own unique brand of showmanship and spectacle to the election process—from the debate stage to the rallies to the interviews, press conferences, and prepared speeches—is unquestionably one of the keys to his success.” (Colasacco, 2018). Donald Trump had already amassed a large following before taking office and combined that with white-nationalist rhetoric to obtain approval. The former president was not alone in his espousing of far-right ideals, his organization of Proud boys routinely incited violence against BLM protesters and other rallies nationwide. To his followers he was able to convey opinion as fact and science as fallacy, however outside of the republican party, “the fact that drawing attention to such inaccuracies or distortions did absolutely nothing to diminish the devotedness of Trump’s followers, for whom their champion has unfailingly “told it like it is.” (Colasacco, 2018). The true testament of Trump’s alarming influence as a leader came during the 2020 Presidential election, following the win of Joe Biden for 46th president. Donald Trump’s called upon thousands of his supporters to storm the state capitol on January 6, 2021in an effort to overturn the election and keep Trump in power. The actions of Donald Trump thereafter set a troubling precedent for the boundaries of fascism in America. He was able to curate state sponsored violence utilizing the Proud Boys and police to advance his militaristic interest and discriminatory beliefs. The four years Donald Trump were in office increased the pervasiveness of fascist fundamentals within democratic institutions when challenged by pressure of far-right movements.
Challenges Ahead
Hostility towards immigrants and minorities is one of the oldest American traditions, along with interstate conflict. Over the course of the nation’s history, it has evolved to study the behavior of fascist governments and incorporate these methods. The formation of neo-Nazi organizations within America imitates the superior Aryan race theory crafted by Adolf Hitler. German and American state sponsored violence are structured similarly to one another through the ethnic cleansing of minorities using barbaric means and necessity for ultranationalism. On the other hand, Italy and American also overlap in teachings from Benito Mussolini on how to breed the likeness of a dictator. Mussolini inspired the 45th president of the United states, Donald Trump as he quoted Mussolini in a 2016 Tweet. He also borrowed methods from Engelbert Dollfuss through the use of known fascist organizations, in a comparison of the Heimwehr and Proud Boys organization.
The political system of fascism is a detrimental force to all within reach of its influence. This ideology is driven by the conquest of power regardless of the destruction it causes in its path. At the root totalitarian regimes like fascism individual rights are reserved for the ruling class, who are encouraged to loathe anyone labeled as “other.” Fascism in America has been theorized about since the beginning of the 20th century and has increasingly modernized the system. Nonetheless, “democracy and fascism are still alternatives in the United States; for how long will depend upon activity based on awareness of the true nature of the fascist threats.” (Stern, 1941). Its important we recognize the signs of fascism in America expeditiously because an American fascist regime could manifest differently than previous ones. The enforcement of religious tenets in the government, “would certainly play a much greater role in an authentic fascism in the United States than in the first European fascisms, which were pagan for contingent historical reasons” (Paxton, 1998).
Sources
https://doi.org/10.2307/493879.
https://doi.org/10.14321/jstudradi.12.1.0027.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctv31svrnt?refreqid=search-gateway.
https://doi.org/10.1086/235001.
https://doi.org/10.2307/2292741.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23906823.
https://doi.org/10.2307/1947225.
https://doi.org/https://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/89038/RICE0073.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
texasgirlwrites.com 
Leave a comment