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InvisibleIcelander
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Fascism and America
    #18924669 - 10/03/13 06:26 AM (10 years, 3 months ago)

The article:
"
Political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt recently wrote an article about fascism ("Fascism Anyone?," Free Inquiry, Spring 2003, page 20). Studying the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile), Dr. Britt found they all had 14 elements in common. He calls these the identifying characteristics of fascism. The excerpt is in accordance with the magazine's policy.
The 14 characteristics are:
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

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.

Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

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, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

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.

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 .

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. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are 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. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections."


Is America heading down that road?

Discuss

My question might be.  Weren't we always like that to some degree?  Is there a tipping point?  And another might be is this a normal progression most major cultures take sooner or later?


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC


Edited by Icelander (10/03/13 07:44 AM)


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OfflineMemories
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Icelander]
    #18924954 - 10/03/13 08:30 AM (10 years, 3 months ago)

I think you can easily ascribe those traits to most every government that has existed.


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InvisibleIcelander
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Memories]
    #18925001 - 10/03/13 08:46 AM (10 years, 3 months ago)

Thats what I was thinking.  However some are Fascist.  What makes a country go that direction? Is it just a matter of the degree of those 14 things?


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC


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OfflineMemories
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Icelander]
    #18925534 - 10/03/13 12:00 PM (10 years, 3 months ago)

Sounds about right.


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OfflineMemories
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Memories]
    #18925538 - 10/03/13 12:01 PM (10 years, 3 months ago)

Actually, I take that back. I don't think these points are good indicators for fascism.


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Offlinezappaisgod
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Icelander]
    #18926794 - 10/03/13 05:19 PM (10 years, 3 months ago)

Recently?  That nonsense is 10 years old.


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InvisibleIcelander
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Memories]
    #18927559 - 10/03/13 07:26 PM (10 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

Memories said:
Actually, I take that back. I don't think these points are good indicators for fascism.





What do you think are?


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC


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OfflineMagnanimous Sadist
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Icelander]
    #18933669 - 10/04/13 10:46 PM (10 years, 3 months ago)

I Would agree somewhat with Memories, but i disagree that they aren't good indicators, rather that some of the aforementioned indicators have nothing to do with fascism, the main example being rampant sexism. To say that sexism is an indicator for fascism is like saying being catholic is an indicator for monarchies in the 1300's. The largest grouping of fascist regimes happened to appear in a time where Sexism was rampant, Which just happens to be the vast majority of human society's existence. :rolleyes:


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InvisibleIcelander
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Magnanimous Sadist]
    #18935282 - 10/05/13 09:13 AM (10 years, 3 months ago)

Thanks for your input.


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC


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Offlineatxweirdo13
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Icelander]
    #19080187 - 11/03/13 12:42 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

I see America following many of those paths, and it does not look good for us. I have also been intrigued by the Occult fanaticism by Hilter and Rudolf hess, It makes me wonder if fascism has any roots in it or that it might just be a coincidence.


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OfflineTalesfromtheTrypt
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Memories]
    #19080364 - 11/03/13 01:24 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

Memories said:
I think you can easily ascribe those traits to most every government that has existed.




I disagree, the first "characteristic" alone rules out just about every other modern country I can think of.
"Constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays." It may not be as obvious to those who have never lived in another country, but this is extremely pronounced in the US. If you go to Canada, you'll hear the national anthem during a hockey game or see a flag here or there, but it just doesn't compare to the US. Giant flags the size of parking lots when you're driving on the highway :facepalm:

This isn't a comment on the actual article, just saying that these traits aren't found just anywhere and everywhere. I've always felt that the US experiences heightened nationalism because decades ago someone thought that it harms the country as a whole to have people view themselves as New Yorkers, Virginians, etc. first, and Americans second, and so nationalism was used to unite the people and make it easier to get them to go along with their bullshit. You think 100 years ago southerners and farmers in the midwest would give a shit about what happens in New York? Fast forward to 911 and you have country songs being written about how awesome America is and how pissed they are that New York was attacked. This country was built on very shaky ground, the Civil War was a foregone conclusion before the Revolution was even won. It would just keep happening over and over if they didn't pull this nationalism crap. Even still, there's a huge push by a vocal minority for a return to states rights and a scaling back of federalism. Just my 2 cents.


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Offlinejim_london13
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: TalesfromtheTrypt]
    #19089590 - 11/05/13 11:24 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Fascism goes with imperialism.
And USA is the number 1 imperialism country.
Full of hostile wars to a lot of countries.


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InvisibleEnlilMDiscord
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: jim_london13]
    #19091019 - 11/05/13 04:33 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Is there such a thing as a war that isn't hostile?


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Offlinezappaisgod
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Enlil]
    #19091088 - 11/05/13 04:48 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Whose puppet is this?


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InvisibleEnlilMDiscord
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: zappaisgod]
    #19091101 - 11/05/13 04:51 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Mod only knows.


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OfflineSmokey420
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Enlil]
    #19091349 - 11/05/13 05:37 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Fascism is the merger of state and corporate power.

Sounds like America to me.

:hitler:


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Offlinezappaisgod
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Smokey420]
    #19091405 - 11/05/13 05:47 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

You need a hearing aid.


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OfflineSmokey420
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: zappaisgod]
    #19091420 - 11/05/13 05:51 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

zappaisgod said:
You need a hearing aid.




Ehh? what? Sorry i can't hear you.


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Offlinestarfire_xes
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Smokey420]
    #19092193 - 11/05/13 07:58 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

Smokey420 said:
Fascism is the merger of state and corporate power.

Sounds like America to me.

:hitler:





Yes, you are correct...Facism is the merger of state and corporate power.  It's kind of like oh, the Government were to allow one-sixth of the economy to be under private ownership, but make all the rules and regulations and run it.... :smirk:


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InvisibleHalfLight
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Re: Fascism and America [Re: Icelander]
    #19093531 - 11/06/13 12:42 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

This is a refreshing and respectable divergence from your common apathetic responses to threads, Icelander.

I would agree that the US is heading down the path of fascism, and we have been for a long time, just much more slowly than many countries mentioned in the OP.
We do admittedly have more progressive social standards domestically than many countries, especially ones that have been declared fascist in the past.


Quote:

Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.



I do tend to see a great many American flags around, but I'm not sure how it relates to other countries as the times I've been outside of the US was when I have vacationed in Mexico.

During high school every Monday morning the entire school would say the Pledge of Allegiance, and I always received dirty looks and even some rude comments for not standing, and a teacher sent me to the principal once because of it.
This is obviously very mild, but humans get a little out of control with things and I could see a future cult of personality coiled in irrational patriotism and American Exceptionalism leading to violent actions for such behavior.

From my perspective there's a fair portion of music out there that glorify America, but that never seemed very concerning to me.


Quote:

Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.



This is seen time and time again throughout American history.
Native Americans, African Americans, Irish, Germans, Communists, and now Muslim people/people whose ancestry is Arabic, Persian, or Berber.
The demonization of Islam and the Middle-east is incredibly disturbing to me.

Referring to US (and NATO) military occupation of/action against Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen as "The War On Terror" has allowed us to commit/support genocide against several ethnic groups within the nations.
Isn't it funny that we invade these countries to supposedly work against Islam extremism, yet we leave Saudi Arabia alone when extremism is fully institutionalized there?

We also are quick to destroy (or attempt to destroy) and demonize opposition to capitalist economic interests in the region, as well as threats to Israel.

I find it pretty suspicious that all we did was sanction Libya for decades due our label of them being a dictatorial state that promoted violent terrorism, but once Gadaffi takes steps to solve economic issues in Libya and surrounding nations, we begin diplomatic relations with them only to denounce Gadaffi five years later and provide for NATO aerial activity during its civil war.
Gadaffi says he wants to use the gold dinar to trade oil with instead of US dollars, soon a great portion of his military's weaponry is destroyed, then foreign Al-Qaeda affiliates support a previously democratic uprising militarily, and Gadaffi is captured and killed by revolutionaries.

All seems like too convenient of timing if you ask me.

What about Syria?
A democratic uprising begins in Syria (a state supported by Russia, Iran, and China) begins, and foreign extremists quickly enter and fight the Assad regime using weaponry that could be traced back to Saudi Arabia, who we sold a great deal of arms to in 2010.
Then the Obama Administration pushed for military intervention in Syria on behalf of the FSA to protect humans rights being violated by use of chemical weapons.
Obama didn't seem to care for helping Syrian rebels when they were a more organized, democratic movement.
He didn't seem to care about the revolt when its members were being kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a Syrian police force, but when chemical weapons were being used in battle rather than oppression of peaceful protest, it was suddenly awful.
Secretary of State, Kerry, claimed that Assad military used chemical weapons against civilians and adamantly stood by that even when Russia provided evidence to the UN and the White House that chemical weapons were used by rebel forces.
Not surprising that support in America for military intervention was so low.


Quote:

Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.



The US defense budget is near four trillion dollars, while 59 billion dollars are spent on social welfare.
Keep in mind that over 20 million Americans are said to be in "deep poverty."
That's roughly the entire population of Syria, the country which our executive branch authorities so badly wanted to fire missiles at.
I've definitely seen soldier-life glorified. People are applauded for their bravery when they have murdered innocents to maintain cheap access to oil.


Quote:

Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.



With what I say following, it's important to note that women's rights are much more protected here than they are in countries such as Saudi Arabia.
It is 2013 and less than 20% of congress members are female.
It's not like we have an enormous lack of females, nor are females less capable to run for office due to equality in education.
This is a result of obvious sexism in American society.

It was less than a century ago that women were even given the right to vote federally.
If you were an American woman before 1920 you had no representation.

Take a look at female dress codes.
To me, it appears that businesses requiring heels and dresses/skirts are making it easier for women to be sexually harassed in the workplace.
Also, dress codes as I saw them in high school were an awful example of institutionalized rape culture and oversexualization of the female body.
Women at my old school were required to wear pants that went below a certain point on the leg "because it's distracting to male students."
Such a rule supported the notion that men can't contain their sexual desires, and that the view of women as a sex-object is their fault due to the clothing they wear.
Many don't see these things, but it's rather disgusting.

A great majority of America doesn't support gay rights either.
Only fourteen out of fifty US states, which make up 33% of the population, issue marriage licenses for same-sex marriage.
This says that most of America thinks that sexuality determines what rights you deserve.


Quote:

Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.



I don't know enough about this as it pertains to the US to comment, and am too tired to do such research.


Quote:

Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.



Terrorism is the primary example I can think of.
It's interesting that US action regarding terrorism has itself created so much fear among citizenry.


Quote:

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, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.



This is somewhat prevalent in America, we are called a nation under god in our pledge of allegiance, and there tax-exemptions for religious institutes.
I find it is most obvious through elected presidents.
There has only been one president who isn't labeled as a Protestant Christian, and he was a Catholic Christian.


Quote:

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.



Definitely one of the more visible and impactful traits.
Social welfare spending is at $59 billion, while $92 billion is spent on corporate subsidies, that's nearly twice as much.
Corporate control of mainstream media sources give them opportunity to choose who gets more publicity during election times.


Quote:

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 .



We've done pretty good at this in recent times.
At least in light of the horrific industrial era.


Quote:

Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.



The Patriot Act and other laws in recent years have given law enforcement officials much more power.
In parts of the country, it's insane how militarized the police have become.

Remember after the Boston Marathon Bombing when 8000 law enforcement officials performed a manhunt of just one suspect with use of armored vehicles and military-grade aerial surveillance?
Remember how they also displayed behavior in Boston which suggested martial law was in place?


Quote:

Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are 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. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.



The Bush Senior's son served as president only two terms after his father.
The Bushes are a family heavily invested in oil wealth, and both took military action in the middle-east.


Quote:

Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections."



There is suspected media manipulation of people's votes, but I don't believe that it's proven. :shrug:


I'm getting pretty tired so my responses might have taken a quality dip at the end :lol:


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