I had a discussion with a right-winger last night about The Felon

[rampartd]

37. "fascist" is a hard thing to pin down

i think he fits eco's 14 characteristics, to some degree, in 12 of 14 points. probably more than franco or even pinochet.

i've been using the more general "authoritarian" but still not sure if the cult nature might make maga closer to kirkpatrick's def of "totalitarian"

Umberto Eco's 14 common features of fascism include:

The Cult of Tradition: A belief in the past and a rejection of modernity.
The Rejection of Modernity: A disdain for the modern world and its values.
The Cult of Action: A glorification of violence and action over reflection.
Disagreement is Treason: A belief that dissent is a betrayal of the nation.
Fear of Difference: An obsession with a perceived threat from outsiders.
Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class: Exploiting the fears and frustrations of the middle class.
Obsession with a Plot: A belief in conspiracies against the nation.
The Enemy is Both Strong and Weak: The enemy is portrayed as powerful yet cowardly.
Pacifism is Trafficking with the Enemy: A rejection of peace as a viable option.
Contempt for the Weak: A disdain for those who are perceived as weak or vulnerable.
Everybody is Educated to Become a Hero: A glorification of heroism and sacrifice.
Machismo and Weaponry: An emphasis on masculinity and militarism.
Selective Populism: A populist approach that excludes certain groups.
Newspeak: The use of language to manipulate and control thought.