Fascism
Dr. Lawrence examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes and found 14 defining characteristics common to all:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism – constant use of patriotic
mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia; flags
everywhere; flag symbols on clothing and public displays
2. Disdain for Recognition of Human Rights – because of fear of enemies and need for security, people persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases; people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identify Enemies/Scapegoats as Unifying Cause – people rallied into unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate perceived common threat/foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
4. Supremacy of the Military – even when widespread domestic problems, the military given disproportionate funding and domestic agenda neglected; soldiers/military service glamorised
5. Rampant Sexism – exclusively male-dominated; traditional gender roles more rigid; divorce, abortion and homosexuality suppressed and state represented as ultimate guardian of family institution
6. Control Mass Media – sometimes directly but in other cases indirectly by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives; censorship, especially in war time, is very common
7. Obsession with National Security – fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses
8. Religion & Government Intertwined – most common religion used to manipulate public opinion; religious rhetoric and terminology common even when major tenets of religion are diametrically opposed government’s policies/actions
9. Corporate Power Protected – industrial/business aristocracy put government leaders into power creating mutually beneficial business/gov relationship and power elite
10. Labor Power Suppressed – as this is its only real threat
11. Disdain for Intellectuals/Arts – promote/tolerate open hostility to higher education and academia; professors/ other academics commonly censored or even arrested; free expression in arts and letters openly attacked
12. Obsessed with Crime/Punishment – police given almost limitless power to enforce laws and people often willing to overlook their abuses and forego civil liberties in name of patriotism; often national police force with virtually unlimited power
13. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption – almost always groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to gov positions and use govt power and authority to protect friends from accountability; not uncommonly national resources/treasures appropriated or even stolen
14. Fraudulent Elections – complete sham or manipulated by smear campaigns or even assassination of opposing candidates; use legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, manipulation of media; typically use judiciaries to manipulate/control elections
From Liberty Forum
Rense.com
2. Disdain for Recognition of Human Rights – because of fear of enemies and need for security, people persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases; people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identify Enemies/Scapegoats as Unifying Cause – people rallied into unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate perceived common threat/foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
4. Supremacy of the Military – even when widespread domestic problems, the military given disproportionate funding and domestic agenda neglected; soldiers/military service glamorised
5. Rampant Sexism – exclusively male-dominated; traditional gender roles more rigid; divorce, abortion and homosexuality suppressed and state represented as ultimate guardian of family institution
6. Control Mass Media – sometimes directly but in other cases indirectly by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives; censorship, especially in war time, is very common
7. Obsession with National Security – fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses
8. Religion & Government Intertwined – most common religion used to manipulate public opinion; religious rhetoric and terminology common even when major tenets of religion are diametrically opposed government’s policies/actions
9. Corporate Power Protected – industrial/business aristocracy put government leaders into power creating mutually beneficial business/gov relationship and power elite
10. Labor Power Suppressed – as this is its only real threat
11. Disdain for Intellectuals/Arts – promote/tolerate open hostility to higher education and academia; professors/ other academics commonly censored or even arrested; free expression in arts and letters openly attacked
12. Obsessed with Crime/Punishment – police given almost limitless power to enforce laws and people often willing to overlook their abuses and forego civil liberties in name of patriotism; often national police force with virtually unlimited power
13. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption – almost always groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to gov positions and use govt power and authority to protect friends from accountability; not uncommonly national resources/treasures appropriated or even stolen
14. Fraudulent Elections – complete sham or manipulated by smear campaigns or even assassination of opposing candidates; use legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, manipulation of media; typically use judiciaries to manipulate/control elections
From Liberty Forum
Rense.com
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