General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Trump Just Broke Through the Last Level of Neo-Fascism [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)are more. A ruling cabal may just exploit and abuse their populations, require obedience to laws and service whenever needed, but otherwise pretty much leave them to live and die as they can.
Fascism, and the relationship of followers and leaders is different. As Mussolini put it, fascism is the state, liberalism is the individual. Trump wants commitment of "my people" to him and the state, and fascist followers aggressively demand similar loyalty and conformity from others. Or else. Strongman Saddam Hussein didn't care what his people were thinking or doing as long as they didn't cross him. Trump would have his huge military parades and expect his people to turn out for huge ostentatious displays of uberloyal nationalism.
Also, fascistic leaders do typically partner with and use business/corporations as engines of wealth, but it's an uneasy relationship. Fascist dictators need business people, but they don't trust them and their fealty to the state instead of their profits.
Leaders like Putin in contrast gather a cabal of powerful criminals/business people who support them in power in a mutually beneficial partnership of predators.
Generally speaking, I guess.