Characteristics of Fascism Described by Umberto Eco
Cult of tradition - Fascists celebrate the origins and traditions of a group and reject influences that they believe might contaminate those origins. The Conservative Movement, for example, consecrates the Constitution, and accepts it for exactly what it says instead of as a guide for accomplishing what it was meant to accomplish.
Traditionalism – Fascists reject modernizing cultural influences such as the enlightenment and Age of Reason in favor of the true wisdom from the past. This is similar to the cult of tradition, but the cult of tradition deifies specific cultural products while traditionalism celebrates the circumstances that produced those products. Trump has celebrated doing things the same old way, “Make America Great Again,” but without specifying the origins or traditions.
Disagreement is treason
Disagreements resulting from critical thinking or analysis or drawing nuanced distinctions between ideas being promoted by the fascist leader is considered treason. This is in distinction to modern cultural influences that use critical thinking to test ideas and determine their validity. Trump has proposed ideas that contradictory and then attacked the media for pointing out the contradictions. For example, Trump has promised his followers both higher economic performance and the mass deportation of immigrants. Not only do Immigrants contribute to the growth of the economy while mass deportations both deplete immigrant communities and impose high financial costs on the federal government.
Appeal aimed at a frustrated middle-class
Fascist leaders usually aim their appeals at a middle-class that is suffering from economic deprivation, status loss, or humiliation that they perceive to be due to lower or previously excluded social groups. Trump’s basic appeal was aimed at a middle-class that had slipped into the working class or was fearful of slipping into the working class.
Appeal aimed at those who are deprived of a definitive social identity
Fascist leaders often aim their appeals at those who are deprived of a definitive social identity other than that as a citizen of their country. The fascist leaders then build on the follower’s identity as a citizen of their country to promote nationalism and their duty to the country. Trump’s campaign slogan of “make America great again” explicitly reflected his followers’ identity as Americans and implicitly reflected their as whites who have had some part of their identity taken from them.
Followers are humiliated by the wealth and power of their enemies
The followers of a fascist leader are on the one hand humiliated by the wealth and power of those whom they see as enemies; on the other hand the followers must be convinced that they will be able to defeat those enemies despite their wealth and power. Trump uses redemption as a cunning device to show how the rich and powerful can be defeated. He claims to have been one of the rich and powerful, but who now has switched sides and will lead his followers to victory over his former friends and associates.
Everyone is taught to become a hero
As a consequence of every subordinate being inferior to his boss, everyone has the opportunity to become a hero to his underlings. And, as a hero, the fascist seeks a heroic death as a fitting end to a heroic life. Trump’s appointment of three generals to his cabinet, more than any President has appointed since World War II may be his way of seeking a heroic life. Moreover, Trump has alluded to his quest for a heroic life and death when he claims to have “always wanted a Purple Heart.”
Selective populism
In a fascist state individuals have no rights as individuals. Rather, the people are conceived as a monolithic group that express a “Common Will.” The fascist leader interprets and then executes that Common Will. Trump’s fixation on polls and rallies may be his way of discovering what the Common Will is.
Traditionalism – Fascists reject modernizing cultural influences such as the enlightenment and Age of Reason in favor of the true wisdom from the past. This is similar to the cult of tradition, but the cult of tradition deifies specific cultural products while traditionalism celebrates the circumstances that produced those products. Trump has celebrated doing things the same old way, “Make America Great Again,” but without specifying the origins or traditions.
Disagreement is treason
Disagreements resulting from critical thinking or analysis or drawing nuanced distinctions between ideas being promoted by the fascist leader is considered treason. This is in distinction to modern cultural influences that use critical thinking to test ideas and determine their validity. Trump has proposed ideas that contradictory and then attacked the media for pointing out the contradictions. For example, Trump has promised his followers both higher economic performance and the mass deportation of immigrants. Not only do Immigrants contribute to the growth of the economy while mass deportations both deplete immigrant communities and impose high financial costs on the federal government.
Appeal aimed at a frustrated middle-class
Fascist leaders usually aim their appeals at a middle-class that is suffering from economic deprivation, status loss, or humiliation that they perceive to be due to lower or previously excluded social groups. Trump’s basic appeal was aimed at a middle-class that had slipped into the working class or was fearful of slipping into the working class.
Appeal aimed at those who are deprived of a definitive social identity
Fascist leaders often aim their appeals at those who are deprived of a definitive social identity other than that as a citizen of their country. The fascist leaders then build on the follower’s identity as a citizen of their country to promote nationalism and their duty to the country. Trump’s campaign slogan of “make America great again” explicitly reflected his followers’ identity as Americans and implicitly reflected their as whites who have had some part of their identity taken from them.
Followers are humiliated by the wealth and power of their enemies
The followers of a fascist leader are on the one hand humiliated by the wealth and power of those whom they see as enemies; on the other hand the followers must be convinced that they will be able to defeat those enemies despite their wealth and power. Trump uses redemption as a cunning device to show how the rich and powerful can be defeated. He claims to have been one of the rich and powerful, but who now has switched sides and will lead his followers to victory over his former friends and associates.
Everyone is taught to become a hero
As a consequence of every subordinate being inferior to his boss, everyone has the opportunity to become a hero to his underlings. And, as a hero, the fascist seeks a heroic death as a fitting end to a heroic life. Trump’s appointment of three generals to his cabinet, more than any President has appointed since World War II may be his way of seeking a heroic life. Moreover, Trump has alluded to his quest for a heroic life and death when he claims to have “always wanted a Purple Heart.”
Selective populism
In a fascist state individuals have no rights as individuals. Rather, the people are conceived as a monolithic group that express a “Common Will.” The fascist leader interprets and then executes that Common Will. Trump’s fixation on polls and rallies may be his way of discovering what the Common Will is.