Is Donald Trump a fascist? Another day, another reminder that November’s presidential election could be the last ever to be held in America. Can anyone be persuaded to care?
The (alarming) elephant in the room
Is Donald Trump a fascist? Another day, another reminder that November's presidential election could be the last ever to be held in America. Can anyone be persuaded to care?
The headline "Trump shocks with scandalous comments" might hardly seem worth writing any more. What more can he really say to shock us?
But there was something different about comments he made on Sunday in a Fox NewsAmerica's biggest cable news channel, with an average total prime time audience of 2.6 million viewers. It is generally believed to have a strong right-wing bias. interview.
In the interview, he stated that if there is any disorder on election day, it will be the fault of "the enemy from within", and they should be "handled" by the military.1
Why is this setting off alarm bells? Because most experts believe the abuse of military power to suppress domestic political opponents is one of the foremost signs of fascismA political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies..
One of the most influential definitions of fascism was written by Italian thinker Umberto EcoAn Italian medieval historian and philosopher who died in 2016. , who listed 14 signs of fascism. A number of them echo in Trump's behaviour.
First there is "Disagreement is treason": the idea that criticism of Trump is not simply a question of disagreement with his ideas, but a conspiracy to destroy him.
Then there is "fear of difference". For his entire political career, Trump has stoked fear against LatinosSomeone of Latin American origin or descent - a term most often used in the USA. and Muslims.3
Another of Eco's criteria was an "appeal to a frustrated middle classPeople of middling incomes and advanced education, whose consent is generally essential to propping up any state.", and Trump's support does mostly come from reasonably well-off Americans.4
After this comes "obsession with plots": Trump has diverted much of his campaign funding to recruiting 100,000 "election observers", claiming otherwise his enemies will rig the election against him.5
To achieve these aims, fascists have generally needed immense military power, so they have worked to get personal control of the military.
Last week, Trump implied he might attempt something similar, announcing a new taskforce to monitor generals for signs of ideologicalRelating to core principles or beliefs. fault.
But others say fascism is not a useful label for understanding Trump. One key feature of fascism in the past was its need for constant war and expansionismThe belief that a country should grow by taking over new territory. . This is not what Trump wants.
Is Donald Trump a fascist?
Yes: Trump is more vindictive and more determined to hold on to power than he was during his last presidency. When he says he is willing to use military force to stamp out his opposition we should believe him.
No: Many US leaders have been charismatic strongmen playing hard and fast with established rules, like Franklin RooseveltThe only US president ever to have served more than 2 terms. Many regard him as one of the greatest presidents in history, although he has been criticised since his own time for what have been seen as dictatorial tendencies., and Trump himself. DemocracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. always survives.
Or... Whether or not Trump is truly a fascist in the same way as Hitler or MussoliniThe fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945. is irrelevant. He remains the single most significant threat to US democracy.
Keywords
Fox News - America's biggest cable news channel, with an average total prime time audience of 2.6 million viewers. It is generally believed to have a strong right-wing bias.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
Umberto Eco - An Italian medieval historian and philosopher who died in 2016.
Latinos - Someone of Latin American origin or descent - a term most often used in the USA.
Middle class - People of middling incomes and advanced education, whose consent is generally essential to propping up any state.
Ideological - Relating to core principles or beliefs.
Expansionism - The belief that a country should grow by taking over new territory.
Franklin Roosevelt - The only US president ever to have served more than 2 terms. Many regard him as one of the greatest presidents in history, although he has been criticised since his own time for what have been seen as dictatorial tendencies.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Mussolini - The fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945.
The (alarming) elephant in the room
Glossary
Fox News - America’s biggest cable news channel, with an average total prime time audience of 2.6 million viewers. It is generally believed to have a strong right-wing bias.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
Umberto Eco - An Italian medieval historian and philosopher who died in 2016.
Latinos - Someone of Latin American origin or descent — a term most often used in the USA.
Middle class - People of middling incomes and advanced education, whose consent is generally essential to propping up any state.
Ideological - Relating to core principles or beliefs.
Expansionism - The belief that a country should grow by taking over new territory.
Franklin Roosevelt - The only US president ever to have served more than 2 terms. Many regard him as one of the greatest presidents in history, although he has been criticised since his own time for what have been seen as dictatorial tendencies.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Mussolini - The fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945.