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Which applies to the US now, authoritarian or fascist? (Original Post) BigmanPigman Sep 2025 OP
I'd say authoritarian, moving towards fascism. sinkingfeeling Sep 2025 #1
Agree. Currently we're close to hybrid subtype moving towards fascist subtype. still-prayin4rain Sep 2025 #15
If the Shoe Fits-Here's the List MrWowWow Sep 2025 #2
Thanks! Were There! Bread and Circuses Sep 2025 #5
With reactionary, extremist-right demagogues exercising authoritarian power... pat_k Sep 2025 #3
Italian-style fascist. roamer65 Sep 2025 #4
Both. The politics is authoritarian. The monopolistic corporate economic engine run by oligarchs is fascist. ancianita Sep 2025 #6
You have completely misconstrued my post. BigmanPigman Sep 2025 #7
Duly noted. ancianita Sep 2025 #9
Duly noted BigmanPigman Sep 2025 #11
They're not mutually exclusive. In fact, Crunchy Frog Sep 2025 #8
Thanks, that's an explanation I was looking for. BigmanPigman Sep 2025 #10
True. ancianita Sep 2025 #13
both bigtree Sep 2025 #12
Yes H2O Man Sep 2025 #14

MrWowWow

(1,461 posts)
2. If the Shoe Fits-Here's the List
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:42 AM
Sep 2025

The 14 Defining Traits of Fascism are:

Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed .

Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

https://ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html

pat_k

(13,856 posts)
3. With reactionary, extremist-right demagogues exercising authoritarian power...
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:01 AM
Sep 2025

... across the entire executive branch, I'd say fascist.

I sort of liked AI's answer to the question: What is the difference between authoritarian government and fascism?

Authoritarianism is a form of government defined by its structure of power, while fascism is a specific, far-right ideology that requires an authoritarian structure to implement its extreme goals. All fascist states are authoritarian, but not all authoritarian states are fascist.

Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a general category of political systems where power is concentrated in a single leader or a small group, with little or no tolerance for political opposition or individual freedoms. It is defined by its method of rule, rather than a specific ideology.


Seems to me the dream of the regime is actually totalitarian government. Cementing a fascist, authoritarian government is just a stepping stone.

Here's AI's in answer to: What is the difference between authoritarian and totalitarian government?

An authoritarian government concentrates political power in a single leader or a small elite, demanding submission from its citizens. A totalitarian government is an extreme form of authoritarianism that seeks to control virtually all aspects of its citizens' lives, including their public and private spheres.



ancianita

(43,364 posts)
6. Both. The politics is authoritarian. The monopolistic corporate economic engine run by oligarchs is fascist.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 05:36 PM
Sep 2025

Being right about labeling doesn't get us to a win. These are not words the party can use to win votes.

Win first. Discuss later.

BigmanPigman

(55,527 posts)
7. You have completely misconstrued my post.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 07:18 PM
Sep 2025

I was simply asking about a definition since I have heard many references regarding fascism, authoritarian, dictatorship, etc. recently.

You obviously did not understand the context of my question. Perhaps you should look into your assumptions and your agenda before asserting your own.

Maybe you should consult your beloved AL agenda before posting a response.

ancianita

(43,364 posts)
9. Duly noted.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 07:34 PM
Sep 2025

Re a definition, I gave a working definition. So I hope I didn't misconstrue that part of the OP.

Re context, I only had what context you provided. Was I supposed to know the context you had in mind?

I don't assume. This thread's in a General Discussion forum, so I was simply adding a GD point about word use in a context of winning elections. No offense was intended.

I won't say that you misconstrued my post. But would like to point out that my "beloved AI" is just a tool that I didn't need this time. I occasionally only consult it for factual timeline summaries of events and facts, not definitions. It's a corrective information tool for those who forget that corporate hype isn't reality.

Crunchy Frog

(28,299 posts)
8. They're not mutually exclusive. In fact,
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 07:21 PM
Sep 2025

fascism is pretty much authoritarian by definition.

I would say incipient fascism, which means that it's going to be getting much, MUCH worse, as it's currently only in the beginning stages.

ancianita

(43,364 posts)
13. True.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 07:45 PM
Sep 2025

But is the "incipient fascism... in the beginning stages" Inevitably to be completed? I'm pretty sure we can stop it if enough people calm down and don't give up too soon on democracy, just because they see a barrage of scary headlines and class war battle of narratives (iow, hype) that corporate media want them to believe.

I still believe Joe Biden was right when he said at the end of most of his speeches... "We can do this by remembering who we are. You've heard me say this a million times. We're the United States of America. The idea this is beyond our capacity, I just don't buy. We can do anything if we do it together"

bigtree

(94,672 posts)
12. both
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 07:41 PM
Sep 2025

...the more meaningful distinction, imo, is between authoritarian and totalitarian.

Authoritarian: some liberties, but fealty to the central government line, vs. totalitarian, no personal liberties with the same fealty but total.

H2O Man

(79,257 posts)
14. Yes
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 07:45 PM
Sep 2025

"Totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and fascism are all forms of government characterized by a strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression."

https://www.thoughtco.com/totalitarianism-authoritarianism-fascism-4147699


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