Dark times are coming

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I do not doubt that a certain populism is on the rise all over the world -- nor am I surprised by it. It's perfectly easy, after all, to "be nice" to tiny minorities that you could easily disperse with a flick of your finger, but considerably harder to be so understanding when the numbers of people who don't think or believe as you do (or look like you) rise enough to start being considered threats. It is at that moment that populism becomes most fearful, when otherwise "decent" people will begin to deny the common dignity of all humans equally, in favour of a "xxxxx-supremacist" model (where xxxxx happens to be whatever you happen to be: white if you're white, Muslim if you are, etc.)

This kind of populism is destructive of the very basics of democracy -- and this is certainly Trump's style of populism, and as was noted above, more and more leaders in Europe, Asia and elsewhere. The future (which fortunately for me I will not see much of) does not look very good for what I think of as "liberal democracy," which placed the concerns of individual human beings at the top of the list of priorities.

 

[Rival]

Le Pen, you guys, it's Le Pen.

 

[YmirGF]

I am far far more concerned about the rise of fundamentalist Christianity, and the influence of the Roman and Orthodox Christianity in the laws of the secular governments.

Can't answer the question as worded.

If some form of extremism arises like Fascism it will be in partnership with extreme forms of Christianity, as in Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church, and Donald Trump and fundamentalist Christianity.

Whereas I am far more concerned about the new fascism on the left such as BLM and Antifa. Have you ever tried to critique intersectionality with a true believer?

 

[Spiderman]

What's your definition of Fascism?

An alliance between religion and state and trump trump trump upon leftists and liberalism.
That's a brief definition because I'm on a phone. I've spoken my definition of fascism elsewhere, and Trump doesn't fit. Putin would, but he's nothing like Hitler, Mussolini, or Franco...

 

[Spiderman]

The type of fascism I'm speaking of here is xenophobia, alliance between religion and state, and Trumping leftist opponents and opinions. There is a lot of that. Mussolini would not call it Fascism, but it is qualities contained in fascist movements.

I consider deeply religious politicians out to crush the left to be fascist... But what do I know?

 

[shunyadragon]

Whereas I am far more concerned about the new fascism on the left such as BLM and Antifa. Have you ever tried to critique intersectionality with a true believer?

The new? Left lacks the broad religious and political support that fundamentalist Christians (powerful voting block) with international support combined with the extreme right=Donald Trump.

 

[Spiderman]

The type of fascism I'm speaking of here is xenophobia, alliance between religion and state, and Trumping leftist opponents and opinions. There is a lot of that. Mussolini would not call it Fascism, but it is qualities contained in fascist movements.

I consider deeply religious politicians out to crush the left to be fascist... But what do I know?

Now that you all know what I meant by fascist, you can give your vote on the poll...or not...
Sorry, the title of the thread was stupid (it is dark for some and a new spring time for others)and I didn't clarify that I wasn't speaking of Mussolini's version of fascism... But something more mild yet full of far-right sentiment.

The undeniable fact is that there is a strong change in anti-liberal sentiments throughout Europe... and america and Russia are ruled by leaders with far right sentiments and policies.

Far right parties are gaining ground in Europe. That's all I'm saying. I shouldn't have used the ugly F-word.

Have a happy new year!

 

[shunyadragon]

The type of fascism I'm speaking of here is xenophobia, alliance between religion and state, and Trumping leftist opponents and opinions. There is a lot of that. Mussolini would not call it Fascism, but it is qualities contained in fascist movements.

I consider deeply religious politicians out to crush the left to be fascist... But what do I know?

I would not call that Fascist, which is probably why I had difficulty answering your comparison. Putin remains the closest, and some have described him in these terms.

In some was Donald Trump is more dangerous. His devoted followers are like frogs in the canning cooker as they slowly turn up the heat.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Dark Times are always coming. Always have, always will. No matter how good things are in reality, Dark Times are coming. So circle the wagons, round up and imprison all the outsiders and political opponents, man the walls, and shoot to kill.

 

[BSM1]

The type of fascism I'm speaking of here is xenophobia, alliance between religion and state, and Trumping leftist opponents and opinions. There is a lot of that. Mussolini would not call it Fascism, but it is qualities contained in fascist movements.

I consider deeply religious politicians out to crush the left to be fascist... But what do I know?

But this is not truly Fascism and it seems you are trying to make a political point by the use of Jingoism. There is no legitimate way to honestly respond to your poll.

 

[Spiderman]

But this is not truly Fascism and it seems you are trying to make a political point by the use of Jingoism. There is no legitimate way to honestly respond to your poll.

But I so often hear people like trump and Putin called fascist... I started to believe it...my bad!

I hear the f bomb all the time

 

[Spiderman]

I studied fascism. I know trump and Putin don't qualify

 

[Spiderman]

The fascism I'm speaking of in the OP is the definition of fascism according to the people who call trump and Putin fascist
Trump and Mussolini: The same, only different? Eleven key lessons f...

Yes, Donald Trump is a fascist.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

No. They're a small percentage of the population and fascist movements are filled with extreme infighting and disorganization. They haven't been able to get it together for decades. Also, America will never be fascist. What we're seeing now is a racist backlash but it's the death rattle of white supremacy in America since whites are going to become a minority in America (well, WASPs, at least) by mid-century. In most of Europe, they're too small to matter, too. Eastern Europe is much more right-wing, though.

 

[Spiderman]

I wasn't in my right mind when I made this thread. The only way a fascist could resurrect fascism is if it was a miracle working Messiah figure who wasn't racist and a benevolent dictator with superpowers.

But the far-right is gaining ground and it isn't just a bunch of racist white people either. But it shouldn't be compared to fascism. My bad. Just too many people are quick to label right wingers with the f-word

 

[Laika]

Many sources are comparing Putin's Russia to Mussolini's Italy.

Many call Trump a fascist.

Due to immigration and the rapes and terrorism in Europe, the far right is rising.

If America and Russia are as Fascist as people make them out to be, and the far-right wins in Europe, imagine the damage that could be done with a Fascist Europe, fascist America, and fascist Russia as an Axis.

The right leaves the left in the dust in Japan, because to be leftist there you have to say your Emperors and heroes from the past had it all wrong.

The pendulum is swinging right. I guess right is right but I can see world war three coming around the corner.

Voted "Yes", but at the moment the "alt-right" is still working within the confines of a liberal democratic system. It may be highly corrosive like Trump's first year in the White House, but actual Fascism is a revolutionary doctrine, not a reformist one. As we are looking at "Fascism" from a very libertarian perspective as it is we can't draw a distinction between Authoritarian governments and Totalitarian ones. So most of the time people use the term "Fascist" they use it to refer to groups which neither self-identify as such nor practice it, but simply "look" or behave in a similar way.

I still suspect I will see outright fascism go mainstream within a few decades if the trend continues, but its going to have to renew itself and get creative. It will have to adapt itself to 21st century conditions and the Alt-right is at least part of that process of rehabilitation. I get the distinct impression that Fascist movements have the same issues as Communist ones: the overwhelming dominance of neo-liberal economics and politics has made it very difficult to get a "pure" fascist doctrine up and running as its adherents are still basically liberal or libertarian in many ways. So they aren't consistent or revolutionary enough to be "true" fascists. They are still very corrosive and dangerous to the democratic system nonetheless.

 

[Augustus]

Many sources are comparing Putin's Russia to Mussolini's Italy...

The pendulum is swinging right.

Mussolini wasn't right wing though, Italian Fascism doesn't fit very easily into a simplistic left-right continuum.

For one thing he was staunchly anti-capitalist and anti-bourgeoisie, and later attracted many of his former Socialist party comrades to join him after he was expelled for supporting Italian involvement in the 1st World War.

Equally interesting are the confessions of Henri Guilbeaux, another founder of the Komintern... Guilbeaux saw in Mussolini the real heir of Lenin. Serge concluded that fascism attracted so many of the revolutionaries by its "plebeian force and violence" and by its constructive program: to build schools, to drain swamps, to promote industrialization, to found an empire. Moreover, there was the vision of a New Order which, to the leftist mind, would come about when the groundwork done by the Fascists was crowned with socialism. Leftism - E von Kuehnelt-Leddihn


In the modern world, it is possible that nationalism could again become aligned with anti-capitalism and people become attracted to radical ideologies that give clear meaning to people as faith in the liberal order declines. I wouldn't go as far as saying it is probable, but it certainly can't be ruled out as a possibility.

 

[Spiderman]

Mussolini wasn't right wing though, Italian Fascism doesn't fit very easily into a simplistic left-right continuum.

For one thing he was staunchly anti-capitalist and anti-bourgeoisie, and later attracted many of his former Socialist party comrades to join him after he was expelled for supporting Italian involvement in the 1st World War.

Equally interesting are the confessions of Henri Guilbeaux, another founder of the Komintern... Guilbeaux saw in Mussolini the real heir of Lenin. Serge concluded that fascism attracted so many of the revolutionaries by its "plebeian force and violence" and by its constructive program: to build schools, to drain swamps, to promote industrialization, to found an empire. Moreover, there was the vision of a New Order which, to the leftist mind, would come about when the groundwork done by the Fascists was crowned with socialism. Leftism - E von Kuehnelt-Leddihn


In the modern world, it is possible that nationalism could again become aligned with anti-capitalism and people become attracted to radical ideologies that give clear meaning to people as faith in the liberal order declines. I wouldn't go as far as saying it is probable, but it certainly can't be ruled out as a possibility.

Mussolini crushed the left and liberalism and bolshevism. Mussolini was against contraception and thought people should control their passions and not have sex outside of marriage.

Mussolini made swearing a public crime and kept prayer in schools. He was against the feminist movement and promoted a union between church and state and worked with the Pope.

He banned pornography and abortion. He closed wine shops, nightclubs , and places of sexual immorality.

That is a very right wing stance and attitude. if Mussolini was an American voting for president, he would vote right wing for sure. He was strongly against what leftists are for and liberals push here in America.

 

[Augustus]

if Mussolini was an American voting for president, he would vote right wing for sure. He was strongly against what leftists are for and liberals push here in America.

He was also a staunch anticapitalist who nationalised many industries which are considered left-wing policies.

This was 100 years ago though , when the US South was Democrat and the North Republican and the US still a segregated society.

Using modern political stances as the judgement for things doesn't quite work.

 

[Altfish]

Many sources are comparing Putin's Russia to Mussolini's Italy.

Many call Trump a fascist.

Due to immigration and the rapes and terrorism in Europe, the far right is rising.

If America and Russia are as Fascist as people make them out to be, and the far-right wins in Europe, imagine the damage that could be done with a Fascist Europe, fascist America, and fascist Russia as an Axis.

The right leaves the left in the dust in Japan, because to be leftist there you have to say your Emperors and heroes from the past had it all wrong.

The pendulum is swinging right. I guess right is right but I can see world war three coming around the corner.

The UK is swinging back to the left.