14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism

14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism

 

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism.

Fascist regimes make constant use of:

* Patriotic mottos

* Slogans

* Symbols

* Songs

* Flags

2. Disregard for Human Rights 

Human rights can be ignored because of fear of enemies and the need for security.

As a result, people tend to:

* look the other way

* approve of torture

* approve of long incarcerations of prisoners

* approve of executions and assassinations

3. Identification of Enemies as a Unifying Cause

People are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common enemy:

* racial

* ethnic or religious minorities

* liberals

* communists

* socialists

* terrorists

4. Supremacy of the Military

* The military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding

* Soldiers and military service are glamorized

5. Widespread Sexism 

* The government tends to be almost exclusively male-dominated.

* Traditional gender roles are made more rigid.

* Divorce, abortion, and homosexuality are suppressed.

6. Controlled Mass Media 

* The media is directly or indirectly controlled by the government.

* Censorship is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security

* Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined

* Governments use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion.

* Religious messages and terminology are common from government leaders.

 

9. Corporate Power is Protected

* Mutually beneficial business/government relationship.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed

* Labor unions are seen as a huge threat to a fascist government.

* Labor unions are either severely suppressed, or are eliminated entirely.

11. Disrespect for Intellectuals and the Arts

* Open hostility to higher education.

* Professors and other academics are censored, or even arrested.

* Free expression in the arts and writing is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment

* Local police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws.

* People are often willing to overlook police abuses in the name of patriotism.

* Often a national police force with virtually unlimited power.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption

* Friends and associates appoint each other to government positions.

* Officials use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability.

14. Fraudulent Elections

* Elections are often a complete sham.

* Elections may be manipulated by smear campaigns.

* Manipulation of the media to control elections.

* Occasional assassination of opposition Candidates.