The Rise Of The Right
Nationalistic figures are dominating politics across the world at the moment baring some striking similarities to the rise of fascism in the 30’s. But is it fascism re-branded and re-packaged for a new decade.
The Mass Media Blows The Trumpets
The Mass Media had a large part to play in the rise of fascism, (eg the Daily Mail publicly backing Hitler). People in certain papers were working to promote a nationalistic idea, but was it just an ideology to create divisions between people.
Trump may not yet be a full blown fascist leader but he shows the hallmarks; seeking total control while being above the law himself, using simplistic slogans to rouse nationalistic fervor – all of these traits give us cause for concern.
Shall We Call It Fascism?
Right wing politicians and celebrities in the mainstream today are being branded as “populist” and maybe it sounds modern and popular! But wouldn’t we better to call them by what they are? The comparisons are there to the fascism of the 30’s but the power balance is still to be tipped in their favor; when leaders like this do have full control their effects can be divisive and ravaging across borders.
Fascism Rises In The 1930’s
Fascism was not clearly a threat in the 30’s as it rose and while many in the mainstream saw Socialism or Communism as a bigger threat, money was fed into the beginnings of fascism and its tactics of blaming others to achieve power. We see that mechanism clearly at work with Franco and the money behind him to organise a massive mercenary war against the then elected Socialist government.
Franco, Mussolini and Hitler had different catalysts but taking Hitler for an example; he entered power as a minority party – only gaining government by allying themselves with centrist parties and manipulation of the system to position for a full takeover.
In each of the cases we might see that the rise of Fascism is almost always a reaction from the rise of Socialism. and being as Socialism is popular again today in the USA and UK – should we all be worried for what the future might hold?
By Subterfuge, Bribery And Assassination
It was in the chaos that they created; the burning down of the Reichstag (the German parliament) and the blaming of it on their main opposition the Communists – that they cemented themselves into power – by subterfuge, bribery and assassination.
Make Us Great Again!
Populism is a cloak that clearly hides the fears that caused millions of deaths in World War 2 leading to a vast ethnic cleansing of many people from minority groups and political enemies as well as the Jewish holocaust itself! The question is will we all be looking back in ten years time again saying to ourselves that we should have seen this coming?
It is indeed easy to wave a flag but it is not easy to make a country great. To some people nationalism is to have a flag in their garden and to sing the national anthem but to others it is to follow the rule of law and to pay their taxes, after all to pay taxes to your country is to make your country wealthy.
Finding Mussolini
It might be a shock to many to find Mussolini’s grand daughter working as an MEP in the EU parliament to represent Italy and more of a shock to see she has identical rightwing views to her demonized grandfather.
having worked in Italy as a graphic designer 2006 I had become aware then of the strange relationship Italy has with politics and the ongoing popularity of Mussolini her grandfather who led Italy as a fascist ruler during world war 2.
Many people I spoke to suggested that because Italy was able to escape any blame for authorities during the war under Mussolini that they feel the dictator is still viewed by many in a positive way, they have not being stigmatized to the effects created from extreme politics.
Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson
Many of us have no doubt that Farage and Robinson are a fruit from the same root, both seemingly funded by unknown money from the far right, their corporate backers and advised by Steve Bannon the man who got Trump elected and has been working to join European extreme parties.
Why Is Steve Bannon So Involved
In what seems to be a personal quest for Bannon he has crossed borders and consolidated right wing politics across the world in ways that echo politics from the 1930s.
It would indeed be wise for humanity to learn from the lessons of the past and to see the times we live in as not so stable. It would be wise for voters to not be so quick to believe promises made to enrich their own countries by encouraging nationalism, because these ideas have pushed us near to what might be our last abyss, our last chance to find real peace by working together and not splitting the world itself apart.
