Fascism in America

[arisbe]

The Left has been denouncing American Fascism, indeed, denouncing America as Fascist, for so many years that we are deaf to the din of it. Lately, though, the warnings of an emerging Fascist mentality have been repeated from what some describe as the fringes of the Right, both the traditionalist (paleoconservative) and individualist (libertarian) wings. The American Conservative is seen as more moderate and mainstream, sceptical of big government, critical of the war, but willing to give both Republicans and Democrats the benefit of the doubt when they seem honest. It is therefore a milestone that even they are now insisting that we ought to take the threat very seriously indeed. Scott McConnell, a student of Fritz Stern, Columbia's great historian of the European Right, makes a sobering case, with the essential qualifications, in Hunger for Dictatorship: War to export democracy may wreck our own.

It is, I think, essential reading.

Comments

THREE OBSERVATIONS FROM WEIMAR

[tausirhasirim.livejournal.com]

(1) Societies based in middle class values that move towards two-class societies - as I believe America is slowly doing - tend to turn sharply right, rather than the sharp left turn two-class societes tend to take in comparable circumstances. Thus I expect that to be the direction things will continue to go in here, barring a burst of unexpected grace.

(2) America has been called the land of "Friendly Fascism". I think there is a germ of truth in this.

(3) One need not be an isolationist or noninterventionist - I am not - to consider the war in Iraq not just wrong, but bizarre. It comes close to an alternate universe Phil Dick zap gun world in which, in response to Pearl Harbor, the United States declares war on Spain. After all, it was a fascist state, and much easier to beat than Germany or Japan.

Allen sez, when government gets this bizarre the Weird Times are truly upon us. Fellow citizens of Weimar, we do need to wake up awfully soon.