There are times when a well known meme is, upon further inspection, clearly the reverse.
Fascism is regularly identified with Conservativism.
But try to define 'fascism,' and a straight line can be drawn between the definition and modern liberalism.
Some of the definitions are as follows:
1. Palingenetic ultranationalism is a theory concerning generic fascism formulated by British political theorist Roger Griffin. The key elements are that fascism can be defined by its core myth, namely that of "national rebirth" palingenesis. (Palingenesis is the concept of mythic rebirth from the ashes, embodied by the Phoenix.
2. Stanley Payne's work, which offers a "typological definition" of fascism:
a. Creation of a new nationalist authoritarian state based not merely on traditional principles or models
b. Organization of some new kind of regulated, multiclass, integrated national economic structure, whether called national corporatist, national socialist, or national syndicalist
c. Specific espousal of an idealist, voluntarist creed, normally involving the attempt to realize a new form of modern, self-determined, secular culture
d. Attempted mass mobilization with militarization of political relationships and style and with the goal of a mass party militia
e. Positive evaluation and use of, or willingness to use, violence
f. Exaltation of youth above other phases of life, emphasizing the conflict of generations, at least in effecting the initial political transformation
g. Specific tendency toward an authoritarian, charismatic, personal style of command, whether or not the command is to some degree initially elective7
Stanley Payne, Fascism: Comparison and Definition (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1980), p. 7.
3. Emilio Gentile: "A mass movement, that combines different classes, but is predominantly of the middle classes, which sees itself as having a mission of national regeneration, is in a state of war with its adversaries and seeks a monopoly of power by using terror, parliamentary tactics, and compromise to create a new regime, destroying democracy." Stanley Payne, Fascism: Comparison and Definition (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1980), p. 5 n.6
And, the most precise and telling definition that I have come across:
4. "Fascism is a religion of the state. It is totalitarian in that it assumes everything is political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good. It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure. Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is defined as the enemy. American liberalism embodies all of these aspects of fascism." Jonah Goldberg, Liberal Fascism, p. 23
Fascism is regularly identified with Conservativism.
But try to define 'fascism,' and a straight line can be drawn between the definition and modern liberalism.
Some of the definitions are as follows:
1. Palingenetic ultranationalism is a theory concerning generic fascism formulated by British political theorist Roger Griffin. The key elements are that fascism can be defined by its core myth, namely that of "national rebirth" palingenesis. (Palingenesis is the concept of mythic rebirth from the ashes, embodied by the Phoenix.
2. Stanley Payne's work, which offers a "typological definition" of fascism:
a. Creation of a new nationalist authoritarian state based not merely on traditional principles or models
b. Organization of some new kind of regulated, multiclass, integrated national economic structure, whether called national corporatist, national socialist, or national syndicalist
c. Specific espousal of an idealist, voluntarist creed, normally involving the attempt to realize a new form of modern, self-determined, secular culture
d. Attempted mass mobilization with militarization of political relationships and style and with the goal of a mass party militia
e. Positive evaluation and use of, or willingness to use, violence
f. Exaltation of youth above other phases of life, emphasizing the conflict of generations, at least in effecting the initial political transformation
g. Specific tendency toward an authoritarian, charismatic, personal style of command, whether or not the command is to some degree initially elective7
Stanley Payne, Fascism: Comparison and Definition (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1980), p. 7.
3. Emilio Gentile: "A mass movement, that combines different classes, but is predominantly of the middle classes, which sees itself as having a mission of national regeneration, is in a state of war with its adversaries and seeks a monopoly of power by using terror, parliamentary tactics, and compromise to create a new regime, destroying democracy." Stanley Payne, Fascism: Comparison and Definition (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1980), p. 5 n.6
And, the most precise and telling definition that I have come across:
4. "Fascism is a religion of the state. It is totalitarian in that it assumes everything is political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good. It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure. Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is defined as the enemy. American liberalism embodies all of these aspects of fascism." Jonah Goldberg, Liberal Fascism, p. 23
