Robert Reich on Threads:

[applegrove]

Post by @rbreich

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Fascists seek to fuse their identities with their followers while sowing distrust in institutions, so that followers accept whatever the leader says as truth.

This is Trump's goal as he spreads lies about our democracy & the judicial system that's trying to hold him accountable.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Robert Reich is always one step ahead of everyone else. Amazing man. /nt

[applegrove]

2. Yes he is. And he is so clear.

[Hortensis]

3. Also the description of charismatic demagogic leaders our founding fathers

knew would show up every election and were so anxious to build protections against into the constitution.

Sound familiar:

Fuse their identities with their followers'?

Sow distrust in existing institutions to make people turn to them for answers? (Populism)

The Defendant, all right, for the (successful but prematurely destructive) fascist demagogue type.

Also little wannabe-big-demagogues like Cornell West and Kennedy Jr (though whether Jr'd end up fascist, some type of LW, or fusion of both isn't clear).

[TxGuitar]

5. "charismatic demagogic leaders our founding fathers knew would show up every election"

Did they know that though? There wasn't anything like what we would consider popular elections today. What charasmatic demogogic leaders were elected in the 18th century? I don't disagree with your larger point.

[Hortensis]

6. Scholars say it was a huge concern and the term itself, as

well as other references, turns up many, many times in records and correspondence before, during and after they signed our constitution in to being. They had reason to be afraid -- history already provided them many examples of the very dangerous weakness in government by the people: people.

Of course, the main identity claimed by demagogues whose path to power is by subversion is that they are of and represent the true will of the people.

"A democracy if you can keep it." First public words out of Franklin's mouth on asked what form of government they'd signed into being.

[drmeow]

4. Is this unique to

fascists or it is a characteristic of populist dictators on the left and right?

It certainly seems to be a characteristic of cult leaders in general.

Edit: this seems more cult of personality than just fascism.