I never had a teacher who made any effort to discuss Fascism.
It's bad. Okay? End of lesson.
I always thought that was very odd. It was a major political philosophy of the early 20th century -- in its early manifestation it was popular in many areas and quite influential. Britain had a Fascist party. Some people thought Edward VIII had fascist sympathies. Italy seemed to do well under fascism. Germany too. Then, of course, it went remarkably wrong and was rejected.
But wouldn't there be a lesson there? "This is what fascism is, this is why people found it attractive, this is how it went wrong, this is why we must never do that again"?
But no one really says that.
"It's bad. Okay? End of lesson."
I've studied it quite a bit. It's on the Left. It's Collectivist. It does not value the rights of the individual, but only values the Group (meaning the State). It's Socialist. If it's bad, and if it's seen as socialism, then it taints all other forms of socialism. The International Communists (Trotsky branch) have dominated the Left for many decades and it is in their interest to make sure that no one see how similar their philosophy is to fascism. The real difference is fascism is a Nationalist philosophy and Communism has become an Globalist philosophy.
The Left really hates all forms of Nationalism because it is such a direct competition to their ideas. You can be thoroughly Collectivist, but if you are patriotic to your own country, the Left will call you a far-right extremist.
I say America is a fascist country today, and has been for quite some time. And I think I'm using the term correctly not just hurling an insult: "We are meanies and racists and, you know, fascists." No. I don't mean that. I mean we have blended Big Business with Big Government, we have largely eliminated the the rights of the Individual, and we basically worship the State. That's fascism, and that's us.
You get it. Few do.
Promote this. It is im9.
I agree. I understand what fascism is and that is what the democRATs have been pushing and what we have largely become.
Yes, The major difference between socialism and fascism is the later Nationalistic direction.
We have National Socialism vs. International Socialism.
None of them are desirable.
National Socialism has a problem - it is by definition mostly limited to one country/nation, so it can be defeated. Global Socialisms does not have this problem.
WOW, nice lesson, you should start a thread just on this issue. i thing it needs to be explored in depth.