Robert Paxton thought the label was overused. But now he’s alarmed by what he sees in global politics
This is the caption under the headline of an interview done by the New York Times with Robert Paxton, a 93-year-old scholar most notable for his theories on fascism in the 20th century. His work, more than ever, should be a guide post on modern American politics.
I read his piece, The Five Stages of Fascism, for a class on contemporary political theory, and it is more relevant than ever. His article can be split into two parts: Mobilization and Infiltration.
Mobilization — How a fascist group is born.
Paxton lists out seven key steps, which reminded me of how cults recruit their followers.
1. The primacy of the group, toward which one has duties superior to every right, whether universal or individual.
2. The belief that one’s group is a victim, a sentiment which justifies any action against the group’s enemies, internal as well as external.
3. Dread of the group’s decadence under the corrosive effect of individualistic and cosmopolitan liberalism.
4. Closer integration of the community within a brotherhood (fascio) whose unity and purity are forged by common conviction, if possible, or by exclusionary violence if necessary.
5. An enhanced sense of identity and belonging, in which the grandeur of the group reinforces individual self-esteem.
6. Authority of natural leaders (always male) throughout society, culminating in a national chieftain who alone is capable of incarnating the group’s destiny.
7. The beauty of violence and of will, when they are devoted to the group’s success in a Darwinian struggle.
In studying how people get into more extremist circles and down the right-wing pipeline, there is a toxic sense of community that attracts people. The group isolates you in a psychological manner by villainizing other groups deemed evil or wrong. Even though fascist parties aren't necessarily a cult because they're in relation to a political party and not a leader, it is cult-like. I suggest that since it is cult-like, it is easier to fall into or evolve into a cult. Primarily because of the emphasis on continuity. This need to last, combined with the toxic sense of community, can turn into an unhealthy devotion towards the group. A distorted sense of reality to excuse your own malicious tendencies can turn into a cult-like devotion.
Infiltration — Fascism as a Party
(1) the initial creation of fascist movements
(2) their rooting as parties in a political system
(3) the acquisition of power
(4) the exercise of power
(5) radicalization or entropy
Once effectively mobilized, it takes root in politics. To take root and power, still communal and cult-like charisma can work. We can take the example of how America was post-9/11 and how right-wing politics took advantage of people’s fears and used the Muslim community as scapegoats, which drove Islamophobia and Xenophobia. This example also shows how states use national security as an excuse for their xenophobia. Though that is a more obvious example, we can also use the example of partisan politics and polarization. More specifically, how the GOP has pushed for a “culture war” to attack minority groups and defend themselves by saying that they are “protecting the kids”. All this to say infiltration, isn’t as obvious as you might think. People might notice it, and we might even warn people about it, but a large part of society won’t do anything until it affects them directly.