I've been in several conversations, in several venues (including CoSo), where I've called the loose definitions of fascism at play in the public square problematic.
I've pointed this out because such vagueness can lead to sweeping and reckless disassociations of ideas, ideologies and, by extension, people.
This video from Ryan Chapman shares my concern about vagueness, and distils what I think is an important definition from the theorists and proponents of fascism:
Now you might think this is a distinction without a difference.
When one uses the word "fascist" it comes with all the baggage of the Nazis and WWII. It is always pejorative. Yet the word "reactionary" has a subtle, but completely different connotation. In popular culture, a "reactionary" has more agency than a "fascist". For whatever personal and complex reasons, a "reactionary" chooses to be a "reactionary". But it is always a choice, and thus they are more accountable.
@corlin Right, I agree with you on the general strike on the word, and I agree with all the reasons you've given, but I don't think "reactionary" is a direct replacement.
I mean, in some cases reactionary might better describe the person trying to counteract an oppressive system than it would the person striving to protect it.
So yes, I'm in favour of accuracy. Let's speak with the clarity of what we mean, and stop with the sloppy, unserious semantic war games.
@sumpnlikefaith @corlin
Condone the clarification. I do however feel that the instigators manipulating our social media and citizenscurrently are fascists. Their victims may be reactionary but the inability for them to see they are being manipulated is not supported by calling people like musk or other political players reactionary.
Again the problem is sloppy definitions.
The far right has taken the teeth out of the word "reactionary".
I use it in the human behavioral sense. Being reactionary is dis-prefered in so far as moralistic reaction short-circuits ethical critique.
@damselfly59 @corlin This depends on what fascism means.
The video ends with this definition of fascism:
"We think with the blood of our nation."
Fascism is about mythical collectivism. That doesn't describe Elon Musk to me. He's an incredibly wealthy agent of chaos.
I often use "Authoritarian"
@sumpnlikefaith
Thoughts:
I propose a general strike on the word "fascism"
And replace it with the more precise words "reactionary".
"Political psychologists Capelos and Katsanidou define reactionism as a forceful desire to return to the past. Underlying reactionism is anger, fear, nostalgic hope, betrayal, and perceived injustice."
Why ?
Because a fascist is often a reactionary, but not always.
And a reactionist can often be you neighbor, and not belong to a party, nor an ideology.
+