Fascist
The 14 defining characteristics of
regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile)
- Powerful and Continuing Nationalism under the guise of patriotism
- -Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. "Fascism is a form of authoritarian civic nationalism which stresses absolute loyalty and obedience to the state, whose purpose is to serve the interests of its nation alone."
- Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause, manifest Xenophobia
- -The people are rallied into a unifying nationalistic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
- Obsession with National Security
- -Fear and jingoism is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
- 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.
- Supremacy of the Military
- -The military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding,and the domestic agenda is neglected, mostly due in part to "military industrial complex".
- 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.
- Obsession with Crime and Punishment
- -Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. They are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of nationalism.
- Controlled Mass Media
- -the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
- 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.
- 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.
- Rampant Sexism
- -Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation.
- Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
- -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.
- 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.accountability.
