The Guardian has an article titled Fascist America in 10 easy steps. Although the article is specifically about America, it applies to any country with the same symptoms, whether historical or contemporary.The steps are:
- Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
- Create a gulag
- Develop a thug caste
- Set up an internal surveillance system
- Harass citizens' groups
- Engage in arbitrary detention and release
- Target key individuals
- Control the press
- Equate dissent with treason
- Suspend the rule of law
Historically, we have seen Germany under Hitler and the Nazis do this. We have seen the USSR do this. Pinochet in Chile did that too. Many of those points are used by oppressive governments in many countries today to varying degrees, Egypt included.
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Comments
Ryan (not verified)
Facism
Tue, 2007/05/22 - 17:48This is an undeniably well researched article, but I believe America was already knee-deep in many of these "steps" even before Bush came to power. Indeed, many countries, even ones we may not consider oppressive, often take advantage of the media and silence dissent.
This is because, in many places, these "steps" are considered Politics and Law, and are prevalent in Democracies everywhere. Because Democracy and Capitalism naturally appeals to the greedy and ambitious in society, many politicians who take power often seek to keep it through these "steps" under the guise of aformentioned Politics, and use the existing Law to bolster that.
In America, particularly, it is particularly easy to take adavantage of these "steps" with the advantage of controlling the antiquated electoral college system, which effectively nullifies the votes of a great many people. We saw George Bush use it to his advantage iin his relection is 2004, where he used his control of the Electoral Colleges in large states to win against Kerry.
Sadly however, and as the article correctly notes, people are more likely to vote on "American Idol" than for their President, let alone research a canidates history.
It's a crummy show anyway.
neilemac (not verified)
With regard to Cindy Sheehan's arrest yesterday...
Tue, 2007/07/24 - 21:59Awesome, thanks. Was excited to find your post when looking for a defense of Cindi Sheehan's arrest with fellow activists sitting in at Congressman Conyers office yesterday.
I wondered if there were steps to façism and you led me straight to them. Thanks again.
Peace in all its dimensions...
neilemac