Call it what it is - Fascism

Right in Front of Us

In 2017 Umair Haque, writing about fascism in America stated, “The hardest thing to see is what’s right in front of your nose” (paraphrasing George Orwell). 

This is the situation for millions of Americans as the Republican Party continues to cripple our democracy using fascist politics. The reluctance of political leaders, historians, the media and the Democratic Party to call what’s happening a “fascist political movement”  hinders our collective ability to respond appropriately to this mortal threat.  

Manifestations of Fascism

Fascism can manifest itself as an ideology, a political campaign or a governing regime’s policies. The MAGA-GOP encompasses all of these manifestations.

• Fascist Ideology:  The ideology of white supremacy and Christian nationalism is publicly promoted and clearly on display in the MAGA party. Fascist GOP leaders sit in Congress, have been appointed to judgeships, are governors, media moguls and presidential candidates. All are in position to promote their ideology.
• Fascist Campaign Tactics: Trump rose to power using classic fascist political tactics – scapegoating minorities; hate rallies; “big lies”; conspiracy theories; demeaning science and expertise; intimidating journalists, and undermining independent democratic institutions.  He continues to use them as he prepares for a second presidential run. 
• Fascist State Policies:  And now, as we enter what Jason Stanley calls “the legal phase of a fascist takeover”, we are seeing how red state legislatures are proposing and passing laws that take away rights, privileges and power of voters, women and minorities.

Why the Aversion to the Word Fascism

Despite early and striking indications of the fascist nature of Trump (2016 Washington Post, How Fascist is Trump?), the media avoided the term.  They preferred the more “acceptable,” less threatening (and more confusing) label of “populist.”  This has left the nation unprepared for the threat the GOP now poses for our democracy.

Opponents to the use of the word fascism express concern that misapplication of the word “fascist” over the years has rendered it simply a generic insult.  (Others worry the word will offend “non-fascist” Republicans and close off opportunities to influence their allegiance).

Breaking the Silence

Certainly these concerns have some merit. However, they pale in comparison to the importance of comparing this political attack on our democracy to other historical fascist movements that ended democracies.  We must warn the public of the danger we face. No other word than fascism better describes the ideologies, tactics and policies on display by the MAGA-GOP. 

The hard work that pro-democracy groups must do for the public is to clarify the meaning of words such as fascism. Without ever mentioning the word fascism, we can hardly begin to explain it.