Hovannes wrote: 16 Dec 2024, 06:04
Historian Ian Kershaw once wrote that "trying to define 'fascism' is like trying to nail jelly to the wall." Each group described as "fascist" has at least some unique elements, and frequently definitions of "fascism" have been criticized as either too broad or too narrow. According to many scholars, fascists—especially when they're in power—have historically attacked communism, conservatism, and pa…
Wikipedia · Text under CC-BY-SA license
Published: Jul 5, 2022
This deserves a proper link and a full quote, I think.....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism#Definitions
Historian Ian Kershaw once wrote that "trying to define 'fascism' is like trying to nail jelly to the wall."[28] Each group described as "fascist" has at least some unique elements, and frequently definitions of "fascism" have been criticized as either too broad or too narrow.[29] According to many scholars, fascists—especially when they're in power—have historically attacked communism, conservatism, and parliamentary liberalism, attracting support primarily from the far-right.
I am intrigued by the final reference to a "far-right." I got to thinking about what that really means....
In America, we can roughly equate Left and Right with Democrats and Republicans.
I want to meditate a bit on what it means to be "Center" and "Far." I think it comes down to practical tactics, rather than ideologies.
In the
Center, we like good, old-fashioned American democracy:
Persuasion. Free Speech. Fair elections. Orderly government via the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and their separation of powers.
Whereas the
Far extremists favor lies and violence:
Propaganda and misinformation. Controlled media. Riots, street violence, threats and terrorism. Cancel culture, censorship, and silencing of voices. Rule by draconian orders and defiant disregard for lawful legislation.
If we use this reckoning, it explains why Bernie Sanders is still in the Senate. He still uses Centrist tactics -- speeches and political campaigns -- even if many consider his policies as "extreme." He was not damaged politically by the Bernie Bro who shot at Republican congressmen, because Bernie never, ever called for violence.
Likewise, voters are not holding Trump responsible for the events of January 6 -- because Trump has never called for violence nor praised acts of violence.
Basically, America does not have a Far-Right. We can't name any groups or movements that practice this way. And when a fringe group pops up, elected Republicans and party voters want nothing to do with them.
There was some chatter about an "Alt-Right" movement a few years ago, but that never got off the ground. We don't even hear about them anymore.
On the other hand, there are many Far-Left movements in America. BLM, pro-Palestine, L-gibbity community, environmental climate alarmists.
And the Far Left have taken over the Democrat Party. Elected Democrats support them. Democrat voters put out lawn signs and drape flags. When a trust fund kid assassinates a healthcare CEO, they justify his violence and sell fan swag.
====================
This election was unique. Trump is a singular personality of genius. Biden/Kamala were profoundly inept, as candidates goes.
But what has Democrat leaders worried is the realization that
they have ceded the entire center of the spectrum to the Republicans.... and the MAGA movement has imbued dozens of capable leaders with the will to lead and accomplish good policy for America.
Meanwhile the Democrat Machine is firmly tethered to the Far Left. Centrist voters no longer trust the mainstream media, so Democrats cannot control the narrative by propaganda, spin, and killing stories. Donors can no longer profit by controlling regulatory agencies. Democrats have no inspiring and charismatic candidates to run for high office.
The most famous and popular Democrat in Congress is John Fetterman.... Let that sink in.
