[net.politics] Fascism is a State of Mind

don@allegra.UUCP (08/17/83)

Almquist is right, fascism need not be based on economics.  In practice
though, economic issues are often the driving force behind social
change.  Here are a couple points to clarify my view:

1.  Both Fascism and Communism can lead to a monolithic, all-important
state.  Many people make a distinction between these two systems based
on the social forces that bring them about.  Fascism is a dictatorship
of some "elite" class, while Communism is a dictatorship of the working
class or peasant class.

2.  Fascism (or Communism) isn't just a manifestation and can be
described as Almquist has.  I think of it as something dynamic that
HAPPENS to a society.  One should ask why it happens, and to answer
that one must understand the mind set of the people who support it.

3.  Pardon my technically incorrect use of "Communism".