Could fascism happen in the US?

• Author: Dolack, Pete
• Position: Thinking Politically

It is not uncommon to hear the term "fascist" used to describe the political conditions of the United States under the current Bush administration. Indeed, roundups of Muslim and Middle Eastern men, harsh new laws circumscribing civil liberties, draconian new spying systems, the rush to launch wars and a mass media tightly controlled by a small circle of corporate interests are plenty scary, with more such measures undoubtedly on the way if Bush is re-elected. The mainstream political "opposition," the Democratic Party, has been unable or unwilling to put up any kind of fight. Except for a very few individuals, Democrats meekly bleat "me too" as they vote for repressive personalities and laws.

We must not mistake form for substance. We are living in a sham democracy with some components of a police state, but this is far from fascism. Conditions in the United States could be far worse than they are now, and those who glibly describe present-day American society as "fascist" are obscuring the truly frightening reality of what genuine fascism would be--at its most basic level, a dictatorship established through and maintained with terror on behalf of big business.

Fascism has a social base, which provides the support and the terror squads, but which is badly misled since the fascist dictatorship operates decisively against the interest of its social base. Militarism, extreme nationalism, the creation of enemies and scapegoats, and, perhaps the most critical component, a rabid propaganda that intentionally raises panic and hate while disguising its true nature and intentions under the cover of a phony populism, are among the necessary elements. Many people argue that these fascist characteristics are already present, but that analysis neglects the crucial component of extreme violence against the domestic population.

Instituting a fascist dictatorship is no easy decision even for the biggest industrialists, bankers and landowners who might salivate over the potential profits. Even if it is intended to benefit them, these big businessmen are giving up some of their own freedom since they will not directly control the dictatorship; it is a dictatorship for them, not by them.

It is only under certain conditions that business elites resort to fascism. Some form of democratic government, under which citizens "consent" to the ruling structure, is the preferred form and much easier to maintain. Working people beginning to withdraw their consent, beginning to seriously challenge the economic status quo, is one "crisis" that can bring on fascism. An inability to maintain or expand profits, as can occur during a steep decline in the "business cycle," is another such "crisis." Massive corporate subsidies and the funding of gigantic projects, such as military buildups and monumental buildings, are used to combat stagnating or declining profits.

If the crisis is severe enough, the level of subsidies and projects required can be achieved only against the will of working people, for it is from them that the necessary money will come, in the form of reduced wages and benefits, increased working hours and the speeding-up and intensification of their work. Fascism overcomes resistance through force.

As dangerous as the Bush administration has become, the economic elite of the United States, the "ruling class," is certainly in no danger. Quite the contrary, it is the very security and control they feel that enable them to offer one harsh, repressive...