First this article gives an overview into the main drivers behind fascism, using examples in history as a basis to do so.

Fascism takes any sense of power, self determination and any process of inquiry away from the masses and into the hands of a small number of so-called elites who believe they have a God given right to lead the people by force or by guile, regardless of any public democratic support or lack thereof.

It is therefore fundamentally corrupt with lies, manipulation and oppression at its heart. It is always a system of governance brought about amidst times of perceived crisis and threat to the nationality or stability of a country, state or statelet. The people are usually told that to get out of this period of crisis they must accept hardship for a temporary period while an authoritarian, dictatorial, militaristic and ultra-nationalistic government or leader restores stability through oppression of perceived enemies of that state, almost always fellow citizens and inhabitants.

In Ancient Rome in times of crisis, prominent members of the senate and military leaders were elected dictator by the aristocracy, or dictator for life. This never ended well and not much has changed in recent times. Fascism is a power play, an egoistic pursuit that will also harness other ‘powerful’ entities as allies, often using religion and traditional values to trick the people into support. It is all wizardry, there is no substance.

On a more insidious basis, fascism will also use socialist ideas and doctrines to coerce the people into some form of support. Hitler done a great job of this post treaty of Versailles, yet upon closer inspection one will see that there is no substance and the words do not correlate with the actions; with such actions bringing isolation and oppression to those who do not fit into the leaders ideal of what the state should look like. Thus there will always be oppression and a total lack of freedom for the individual and for unionised collectives under such a regime.

Those who are supporters of fascism tend to a punitive psychological make-up with a tendency for revulsion when it comes to anything that differs from their own praxis and way of life. This could be religion, sexuality and any other form of culture that is perceived to be threatening by the infantile response manifested by a maladjusted and ill-conditioned super ego. This is why under fascist states the marginalised are usually subject to a policy of genocide. Followers of fascism prefer to be led by a divine leader rather than to collectively challenge and establish something of creative value. 

Gowain Reid Patrick McKenna,

M.Phil. M.Sc B.Eng (Hons)