|
When I hear the neocons projecting the words they read about themselves on the internet, I have to chuckle. O'Liely, Hannity, Rush et al have decided that the way to deflect any stigmatizing label that has been attached to neocon RWers is to simply use that label to describe all of their adversaries and enemies.
There is much speculation about the neocons ultimate desires - and it isn't difficult to believe that they would resort to fascism if given a chance. But are we being a bit over the top when we draw these conclusions?
Well, one way to make a decision is to look at a list of qualities defining fascism and then tally up the score. We will compare three very different groups: neocons, radical islamists, & liberals. Since neocons have recently become fond of referring to all Muslims as "Islamo-facists" or "Islamic facists", this should be a timely comparison.
I got this list of typical qualities of fascism from Wikipedia - I'm sure there are other preferred sources, but I thought this was a reasonable list. I scored each question based on how many qualities each question has (1 point for each) & gave 1/2 point for issues that I thought the group could not be classified as simply 0 or 1.
Fascism is typified by:
* a militarist, nationalist and xenophobic ideology (many of the squadristi were WWI veterans, and the Marinetti's futurist movement also was a source of it; irredentism was also fundamental in Italian fascism)
My score: neocon - 3, radical islam - 2, liberal - 0
* Anti-communism
My score: neocon - 1, radical islam - 1/2, liberal 1/2
* Economic Corporatism
My score: neocon - 1, radical islam - 0, liberal - 0
* Attempts to impose state control over all aspects of life: political, social, cultural, and economic.
My score: neocon - 3, radical islam - 4, liberal - 2 1/2 (don't ask - just trying to imagine how "they" might answer)
* The fascist state regulates and controls (as opposed to nationalizing) the means of production.
My score: neocon - 1, radical islam - 1/2, liberal - 0
* Fascism exalts the nation, state (statolatry), or race as superior to the individuals, institutions, or groups composing it.
My score: neocon - 3, radical islam - 1, liberal - 1
* Fascism uses explicit populist rhetoric and propaganda techniques applicated from crowd psychology; calls for a heroic mass effort to restore past greatness;
My score: neocon - 1, radical islam - 1, liberal - 0
* Demands loyalty to a single leader, often to the point of a cult of personality. Charismatic authority of the leader may be invoked.
My score: neocon - 1, radical islam - 1, liberal - 0
* A powerful, dictatorial leader or ruling cadre.
My score: neocon - 1, radical islam - 1, liberal - 0
Well, my totals are;
neocon - 15/16; radical islam - 11/16; liberals - 4/16
I'm sure others will score somewhat differently, but I think we can probably agree that neocons have more in common with radical islam than not.
It's also clear why neocons feel exceedingly qualified calling radical islam "fascist".
Now, you make the call...
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
