Why Fascism is Growing Around The World - Madeleine Albright

TL;DR

Fascism is a loose term often misused, but it is a method for gaining and exercising power through the identification with a national group, exclusion of others, and use of violence. Countries like Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Venezuela, and the Philippines are exhibiting concerning fascist tendencies.

Transcript

and when you're looking to define fascism do you think of it as an ideology or a movement does it have to include violence what are your your staples well first of all I do think fascism is a term that's being thrown around and whenever anybody disagrees with you they're a fascist and then if the teenage boy wants to drive the car and the father sa... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍉 Fascism is often misused and misunderstood, being used as a term to dismiss or label those with different opinions.
• 👥 Fascism is characterized by the identification with a national group, exclusion of non-members, and the use of violence to gain and exercise power.
• 📰 Countries like Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Venezuela, and the Philippines are exhibiting signs of new fascism, with centralized authority, disregard for democratic institutions, and limited freedom of the press.
• 🪡 Divisions in society arise from the breakdown of the social contract and the need for identity, with nationalism turning dangerous when used to exclude and blame others.
• 😒 The clever use of language by fascist leaders may disguise their actions as protection measures or assistance for their country, but it is important to recognize their exclusionary and racist tendencies.
• 🥺 Identifying with a national group is not inherently problematic, but when it leads to the exclusion and demonization of others, it becomes dangerous.

Questions & Answers

Q: How would you define fascism?

Fascism is not an ideology but rather a method for gaining and exercising power through the exclusion of non-members of a national group and the use of violence. It is often misused and misunderstood.

Q: Which countries do you consider to be in the grip of new fascism in 2018?

Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Venezuela, and the Philippines are exhibiting concerning fascist tendencies due to the centralization of authority, disregard for democratic institutions, and restriction of press freedom.

Q: Do nationalist and racist elements play a crucial role in the fascist movement?

Yes, an identification with a tribal or national group is a common aspect of fascism. This identification often leads to blaming others and creating scapegoats, which can result in racism and exclusion.

Q: Should the rise of nationalism be taken more seriously and called out for what it is?

Yes, while patriotism is healthy, the identification with one's country should not lead to the exclusion and demonization of others. It is important to recognize and criticize instances of exclusionary nationalism to prevent the spread of fascism.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Fascism is not an ideology, but rather a tool for gaining and exercising power through the exclusion of non-members of a national group and the use of violence.

• Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Venezuela, and the Philippines are countries where new fascism is taking hold, as they exhibit centralized authority, disregard for democratic institutions, and restricted freedom of the press.

• Divisions in society arise from the breakdown of the social contract and the need for identity, with patriotism turning into dangerous nationalism when used to exclude and blame others.