Fascists Targetting America's Youth

[St Leo]

Mmm, thoughts of res pubica dance through my head.

[St Leo]

Word History: It is fitting that the name of an authoritarian political movement like Fascism, founded in 1919 by Benito Mussolini, should come from the name of a symbol of authority. The Italian name of the movement, fascismo, is derived from fascio, “bundle, (political) group,” but also refers to the movement's emblem, the fasces, a bundle of rods bound around a projecting axe-head that was carried before an ancient Roman magistrate by an attendant as a symbol of authority and power. The name of Mussolini's group of revolutionaries was soon used for similar nationalistic movements in other countries that sought to gain power through violence and ruthlessness, such as National Socialism.

My memory screwed up wrt Franks. "Frank" is Germanic for "free" -- hence, the English adjective "frank".

Saxons: derive their name from "seax", a kind of one-edged sword.

[Pax]

Fascism, modern political ideology that seeks to regenerate the social, economic, and cultural life of a country by basing it on a heightened sense of national belonging or ethnic identity. Fascism rejects liberal ideas such as freedom and individual rights, and often presses for the destruction of elections, legislatures, and other elements of democracy. Despite the idealistic goals of fascism, attempts to build fascist societies have led to wars and persecutions that caused millions of deaths. As a result, fascism is strongly associated with right-wing fanaticism, racism, totalitarianism, and violence.

Can anyone prove that fascism by definition is somehow evil and wrong. Fascism itself, does not actually have anything to do with ww2, gas chambers or jews. The persons responsible for all of this would have done so under any political system.

[Ben Kenobi]

The persons responsible for all of this would have done so under any political system.

Would all political systems have permitted these people to come to power? I think part of the problem stems from the weaknesses in the Weimar constitution.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Would all political systems have permitted these people to come to power? I think part of the problem stems from the weaknesses in the Weimar constitution.

It also came to power in Italy, and had strong followings in many other Western countries. Had war not broken out, it's possible more countries might have fallen under the Fascist movement.

[Ben Kenobi]

Yet the point about the particular people coming to power also is important.

The combination of power under a Fascist government and the people in Germany wrought many of the evils there. After all, there was no Final solution in Italy or Spain, both of which had governments termed 'fascist'.

[Pax]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Would all political systems have permitted these people to come to power? I think part of the problem stems from the weaknesses in the Weimar constitution.

I would blame the versailles treaty for german bitterness.

[Ben Kenobi]

I would blame the versailles treaty for german bitterness.

True, that gave Hitler the popular support under the republican system, but a republican system, even given one party with popular support has enough checks and balances to prevent much of what we saw in Germany.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Pax
Can anyone prove that fascism by definition is somehow evil and wrong.

Fascism is right-wing. Is that good enough for you?

[Pax]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


True, that gave Hitler the popular support under the republican system, but a republican system, even given one party with popular support has enough checks and balances to prevent much of what we saw in Germany.

Even democratric governments have committed many atrocities. So once again, it has little to do with fascism.

[Pax]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Fascism is right-wing. Is that good enough for you?

YES!!!!!

[Tripledoc]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
The combination of power under a Fascist government and the people in Germany wrought many of the evils there. After all, there was no Final solution in Italy or Spain, both of which had governments termed 'fascist'.

Are you saying that there were some inherent qualities, or rather lack therof, in the German people which meant they were especially vulnerable to fascism and anti-semitism?

I find that hard to believe. For instance how would it then be explained that a whole German village was wiped out by the Nazis, because three of their members had been shot there. And what of the general oppression of socialist and communists, many of whom were shot "while trying to escape.". This not only under Nazi rule, but also during the revolution following the First World War.

The main reason that the Nazis came to power was because they were ruthless when it came to the use of violence, and that they were backed by powerful interests, at home and abroad. They were actually quite disdainful of ordinary Germans.

[Ben Kenobi]

Even democratric governments have committed many atrocities.

I have to concede this point to you, but I am curious as to what you believe qualifies as an atrocity on par with the Final Solution in Germany.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
True, that gave Hitler the popular support under the republican system, but a republican system, even given one party with popular support has enough checks and balances to prevent much of what we saw in Germany.

No it doesn't. The only thing stopping Tony Blair's Labor Party from proclaiming him dictator for life and outlawing all other parties is a respect for parliamentary democracy. The same is true in the U.S. and every other country in the world. Constitutions only work when people obey them. If you've ever read the Soviet consitution written under Stalin, you'd be amazed at what a wonderful documnent it was. If the government refuses to obey it, it's not worth a thing.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


I have to concede this point to you, but I am curious as to what you believe qualifies as an atrocity on par with the Final Solution in Germany.

Look at what Western Europe did in Africa. The big difference between the Nazis and other Western powers is they did what they did to white people. If they'd done it to others, no one'd care. Look at how Europe and the Americas focus on Japanese attrocities in Asia. We don't, and they were just as bad as the Nazis attrocities. No one pays attention to what Italy did in Africa.