Paving the path away from faschism

[Empiricist-Bruno]

So, when Russia invaded Ukraine, it was to take out the fascists within that country. But to me, the Russian government qualifies much more as a fascist state than Ukraine does. It seems like lots of right wing fascists people will accuse you of being what they are and of doing the objectionable things that they do themselves if that serves their purpose. In other words, fascists seem to need to be unhinged because that's the only way they can effectively participate in any discussion with reasonable individuals. Arguably, it's not possible to reason with fascists because they have alternative facts at the ready to facilitate proving their points. They also need to be greedy and to seek privilege for themselves at the expense of others. To divide and control is their mantra, and so they need to cultivate enemies.

And that's my bottom line definition of a fascist. So my question is, can you discuss things with a fascist? Are they simply a super evil group that needs to be eliminated before they form? Would that be possible, and how do you go about doing that? Also, what contributes to their growth the most? Here, I do have some clues as to what the answers might be. I believe that my upbringing was geared to transform me into a fascist. I have rejected my upbringing as I considered it immoral because I was smart enough to figure where that led. There is a need for a new and completely different direction from political leaders and there is no indication that this will occur any time soon.

First, teachers, as a group, have learned that if they want to be paid, they have to provide you with an education that will facilitate your transformation into a fascist. So, if we want to eliminate fascism, a good place where to start would be with students. Non-fascist people should educate them as to how best to confront teachers that stir them into fascism. It's not a particularly easy issue. Teachers will excuse themselves by saying that they need to have totalitarian power in class in order to maintain discipline to make it possible for kids to learn basic skills such as writing and reading. I think that's a fascist excuse to cover up their inability to lead a class without the use of brute power or the threat of it. There are also a number of religions that seem to enshrine or condone fascist ways. Going against religions with strong fascist tendencies is hard, but it's not impossible. Also, there is the promotion of goals or dreams that facilitates the rise of fascism. For instance, the American Dream, the colonization of Mars, the reliance on massive and powerful weapons for one's security, the search for endless source of clean and cheap energy are all goals that serve fascist dominance.

So what do you think? As the US democracy seems on the brink of toppling, what solutions do you think there is? And to all the many fascists out there, feel free to chip in. I won't say that you are fascist and simply claim that you should shut up but rather I will explain to you why I think your comment is rooted in fascism, if that helps me to make some important point.

[Good_Egg]

One of the defining characteristics of fascism is that it makes a fetish out of strength / authority / power.

As philosophically-literate people, we recognise that these three concepts are distinct but related. And that one can think there is a need - in its proper place and at a proper scale - for strength, power and authority, without making a fetish of it.

Exposure to rational thought and debate on the topic is the best inoculation.

[Samana Johann]

Fascism means "Bound". It's a total strange idea to think that without bound, and also without authority, anything as decay and chaos can be attained.

Killing beings is wrong, taking what's not given, sexual misconduct, speaking what's not true, as well as consume of means causing shamelessness, but bound, authority, 'fascism', isn't wrong at all as perse.

Good authority and firm bond to it, and even it's 'just' to the five wrongs, will be everybodies blessing, and a honor to be called fascist on that. Maybe it could pave to path from wrong to right fascism for some.