Is the United States facing a rising tide of fascistic politics?
In short: Political scientist Anthony DiMaggio argues that fighting fascism must become a regular conversation in homes and schools. He suggests that while the U.S. is not a one-party dictatorship like 1920s Germany, elements of fascistic politics have grown increasingly extreme in recent decades, fueled by long-standing authoritarian and xenophobic undercurrents.
In his book, "Rising Fascism in America: It Can Happen Here," Anthony DiMaggio distinguishes between a fully consolidated fascist government—such as those in Germany and Italy between 1922 and 1945—and the presence of fascistic political movements. He argues that the United States is not a one-party dictatorship, but rather a republic facing a threat from rising neofascistic elements that have grown more extreme in recent years, particularly during Donald Trump's presidency.
DiMaggio argues that Trump utilised prevailing emotions, particularly the enduring development of xenophobic, authoritarian, and racist ideologies within the American right. He identifies several societal "enablers" that helped this movement flower, including scholars, journalists, the Democratic Party, and neoliberals. He specifically critiques the media's use of the term "populist" to describe Trump, noting it can be a vague way of portraying his politics that obscures his authoritarian and neofascistic components.
The scholar points to historical shifts, such as the 1990s policies of President Bill Clinton, which moved away from progressive reforms like poverty reduction and business regulation. DiMaggio suggests these changes increased public disillusionment and helped pave the way for the 2016 election. He also cites the 2017 "Unite the Right Rally" in Charlottesville, Virginia, as a key moment for the movement, describing it as its "coming out party."
The rise of these movements is linked to decades of right-wing media pundits embracing conspiratorial and racist messages. DiMaggio identifies "Trojan Horses" like Alex Jones and outlets such as Infowars and Breitbart as contributors to mainstreaming these extremist viewpoints. He also notes that the Obama era was characterized by rising corporate power and inequality, continuing the trends of the 1990s.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fascism in America: It’s Happening Here, According to Professor's New Book
- Also: Fascism in the United States
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