All of Trump's talk about punishing people or corporations for criticizing the government resulted in many people calling Trump a fascist. That word gets thrown around a lot. So I did some research and pulled some common characteristics of fascists from very basic sources so we could have an informed discussion and consider what that term really means. According to the dictionary and encyclopedia, here are some common characteristics of fascists:
1) Hatred of Marxism and espoused love of capitalism and/or corporatism
2) Opposition to political or cultural liberalism
3) Totalitarian ambition, overt frustration with the democratic process and opposition
4) Conservative economic programs favoring the wealthy
5) Views wealth disparity as a non-issue, all classes are equal so long as citizens are militaristic and patriotic
6) Imperialist, strong countries should dominate weak ones, working with other nations or diplomacy is a sign of weakness
7) Militaristic, strong financial and vocal support for the military. Preference towards military threats or action
8. Political rallies are very important to image. Rallies must be viewed as large and successful. Rallies continue even after coming to power.
9) Tough guy image, a "new man" image where men of the nation should all be as tough as the leader
10) Vocal statements that the region actions are morally justified and necessary as part of a moral struggle for the soul of the nation
11) Tolerance of or preference for violence, including advocating violence against internal political opposition
12) Strongly nationalistic. Criticism of the nation in any form is seen as subversion unless done by or with support of the regime
13) Scapegoating, instead of addressing policies things are blamed on others, often minorities, immigrants, or comparing the regimes bad actions to bad actions of others
14) Revolutionary Image, regime tries to portray itself as new, an outsider, or of getting rid of the old tainted regime
15) Anti-urbanist, image that the base of the movement is agrarian and the way things used to be
16) Sexism and misogyny tolerated or encouraged
17) Some have acceptance of racism (this one was noted as not as universal)
18) Some have strong identification with and portrayal as defenders of their religion (this one was noted as not as universal)
19) Suppression of opposition and the media
20) Belief that the nation must come before the individual
21) Anti-intellectual, populism relying on appeals to emotion
22) Opportunistic, willing to mold some ideology or tactics in exchange for power
https://www.britannica.com/topic/fascism/Opposition-to-parliamentary-democracyhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascismFascist didn't used to be an insult. It was a descriptor of a particular political ideology and the resulting policies and actions. Lets not throw the word around lightly, if you want to discuss if a political candidate is a fascists, a communist, or a monarchist - at least know what it means. Or, for that matter, if you want to deny your candidate is something you should also be aware of what it actually means.
