FASCISM

Fascism, pronounced /ˈfæʃɪzəm/, is an authoritarian and ultranationalist ideology that emerged in early 20th-century Europe. It is characterized by dictatorial power, the violent suppression of opposition, and strict regimentation of both society and the economy. Fascist regimes glorify the nation—often intertwined with race or ethnicity—while systematically devaluing the individual. These regimes rely on propaganda, censorship, and militarism, seeking total control over the political, cultural, and economic life of the nation. (SOUNDS FAMILIAR?).                                                                                                                                                

Despite its historical weight and destructive legacy, the term “fascism” is frequently misused in contemporary discourse. In the United States, political figures such as Donald Trump, along with many of his supporters, have carelessly and incorrectly pointed to “ANTIFA” as a threat, branding anti-fascist activists as terrorists. This accusation not only distorts the meaning of anti-fascism but also suggests an alarming lack of historical understanding. ANTIFA, an abbreviation for “anti-fascist,” stands in direct opposition to the very ideology that brought about some of the darkest chapters in modern history. To attack anti-fascists is not a defense of democracy—it is, intentionally or not, a defense of fascism itself.

          The spread of fascist movements across Europe in the 20th century took various forms, often merging with or challenging existing authoritarian and conservative regimes. In Spain, elements of fascism were integrated into Francisco Franco’s military dictatorship, which bore the hallmarks of fascist ideology. In Poland, the anti-Semitic Falanga, led by Bolesław Piasecki, gained influence but failed to topple the conservative government of Józef Piłsudski. In Finland, the Lapua Movement under Vihtori Kosola attempted a coup in 1932, only to be subdued by a conservative military-backed response.

          Hungary saw the emergence of the Arrow Cross Party, headed by Ferenc Szálasi, which advocated fascist principles but was initially suppressed by the conservative regime of Miklós Horthy. Only in 1944, under German occupation, was Szálasi installed as a puppet ruler. In Romania, the Iron Guard—a violent fascist group also known as the Legion of the Archangel Michael—was led by Corneliu Codreanu and temporarily aligned with existing power structures. However, King Carol II dissolved the movement in 1938, arresting Codreanu and executing him under dubious circumstances. Though remnants of the Iron Guard resurfaced briefly in 1940, they were ultimately crushed by Romanian conservatives the following year.

          Fascism, as a political philosophy, is fundamentally antithetical to democracy. It champions the supremacy of the state and often a dominant racial or ethnic group, while demanding absolute loyalty to a centralized, autocratic leader. Under fascist regimes, social and economic life is strictly controlled, dissent is outlawed, and violence is employed to silence opposition. The historical consequences of fascism—world wars, genocide, and widespread repression—stand as a stark warning against its resurgence.

 In any society that claims to value freedom, justice, and human dignity, opposing fascism should be a universal, nonpartisan stance. It is not a matter of ideology, but of moral clarity and historical responsibility.

Is the United States Fascist?

FASCISM IS NOW ALIVE AND WELL IN THE UNITED STATES

 

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