Palin Rallies Ignite Widespread Talk of 'Fascism'
Because I published a book recently on the harm done to U.S. democracy by violent rhetoric, I get lots of calls for comment on whichever right-wing shock jock uttered the most menacing words on air in any given week. Lately, however, those questions have shifted in a very noticeable way. Whereas the public concern used to be focused on violent terms and phrases used in broadcast media, nowadays all the talk is about Sarah Palin's speeches and fear of 'fascism.' And even if 'fascist' is not a very accurate description of Sarah Palin -- neither sociologically nor historically -- public concern in response to her campaign events is a social fact well worth noting, if only for the sheer scale of it.
Palin Events Evoke Image of 'Rallies' Seen in History Museums
The most common point brought to my attention in this new concern for Palin is that her events remind people of the kind of 'rallies' people have seen in old newsreels and exhibition photographs in history museums about the fascist period.
Many people have said to me, in so many words, 'I went to a Holocaust museum, recently, and the kinds of rallies they had in the 1930s are exactly what we are seeing now at these Palin events.'
What is it that makes people see events from 1930s Europe and Sarah Palin's campaign stops in Florida (e.g.) as similar? People repeatedly mention three things:
(1) Palin's claim that Sen. Obama has covert ties to 'domestic terrorism'
(2) Palin's claim that Sen. Obama wants to see the U.S. military defeated in war
(3) Shouts from attendees calling for physical harm against Sen. Obama
Interestingly, I have heard these observations from Democrats and Republicans. The logic is that it is not just one feature of the Palin events that leads people see them as 'rallies' of the sort they have learned about in history museums, but three elements combining together: claims of Obama's covert terrorist ties and desire to see the military fail, combined with voiced calls for harm to Sen. Obama.
Palin Events Elicit Talk of Attendee 'Mentality''
After talk of historical references, the most common concern I hear is about the 'mentality' or 'psychology' of the attendees at Palin events. When put to me, the question is often phrased as:
Is there some reason why the people at these events -- and not other people -- are susceptible to the kind of political rhetoric Palin uses?
The psychology questions are most often posed in response to several observations made about the attendees:
(1) Since Sen. Obama has no ties to terrorism, why do some people believe it?
(2) Why are these people susceptible to right-wing propaganda while other people are not?
(3) Why do people continue to accept the 'terrorism' and 'treason' smears even when presented with facts about Sen. Obama?
Nobody who has presented me with these questions has claimed any kind of expertise in psychological theory. Rather, they seem to be looking for a scientific sounding answer for what they observe as an irrational 'anger' at Palin rallies and, in general, a 'mentality' departing from 'normal.'
We find these same kinds of questions about 'anger' and 'mentality' in the writings from observers of the rise of fascism in the 1930s and 1940s -- such as Dialectic of Enlightenment by Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno. What I hear in these questions about the 'mentality' of the Palin attendees is not a return to social psychological theories of the postwar period, but a voiced concern for what people view as behavior in the public sphere that strikes them as a departure from normal, healthy behavior.
Palin Events Provoke Talk of Acting Before 'Too Late' to Stop Fascism
The third most common kind of chatter in response to Sarah Palin's events focus on the idea of 'proto-fascism' or the process of becoming fascist. These discussions often reference certain lists or books that describe the emergence of fascist totalitarianism in terms of a series of elements that emerge over a given period of time.
The people who ask these kinds of question all express a very similar concern about identifying fascism 'before it is too late to stop.' These arguments emerge from people who have gone out and read books and articles that talk about fascism emerging in small steps that nobody notices until it is 'too late,' to stop -- a common argument made in polemical writing about fascism.
Of note, this kind of concern is often the most fear-filled -- the most advanced. Often, the people who ask me if it is too late to stop the 'fascism' Palin brings to our system had voiced concerns about 'fascism' prior to Palin's nomination.
Conclusion: Palin Not Fascist, But She Sparks Talk of Threats to Democracy
To call someone a 'fascist' is a very serious charge. Despite all these questions and concerns, I have not concluded that Sarah Palin's past or recent campaign events represent the emergence of fascism in American politics. In particular, Sarah Palin does not bring anything even closely approaching a comprehensive totalitarian nationalist ideology to the campaign trail. Instead, Palin merely thumps the war drums of George Bush's 'robber baron' style Republicanism.
What she does bring is a noteworthy skill with extreme, often violent populism. As a result, she has succeeded at creating intense loyalty to her personally, and deep antipathy for Sen. Obama -- also on a personal level. And while this populism has succeeded only amongst small core of the Republican base, the fervency of Palin's supporters has been amplified a thousand times over by the obsessive media coverage that she enjoys.
So, Sarah Palin is not 'fascist,' but that does not mean her language and her events have not had a dangerous impact on our democracy.
Beyond adding populism to the campaign trail, Palin has also done something else: she has re-framed the McCain campaign in violent terms -- terms that had been used predominantly by right-wing shock pundits on TV and radio.
Whereas politicians like John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Newt Gingrich had occasionally used violent rhetoric in stump speeches, Sarah Palin's use of it has resulted in a complete repackaging of the Republican presidential campaign. And thhat use of violent rhetoric has threatened to clogged up any attempt by the American public to have serious, pragmatic conversation about the problems we face and the solutions necessary to solve them.
In our gut, Americans feel that the violent rhetoric in Sarah Palin's campaign events poisons the productive pragmatism of American Democracy. In response to that gut feeling, some people reach for the word 'fascism,' most likely, because that is the word used in popular culture most frequently over the past ten years to describe threats to democracy.
Even if 'fascist' is not an accurate description of Sarah Palin, the scale of the public concern in response to her campaign events is a social fact all by itself. And as we head into the final weeks of the campaign, the scope of that social fact grows by the hour.
Crossposted from Frameshop
Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman
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I don't see her as a facist per se, as my understanding is facism is generally regarded as "political".
I beleive her real agenda is religious: transformation by infiltration first of the U.S. as described in that now famous Laying on of Hands, spoken by her Kenyan witch hunting preacher--in other words, Dominionism.
One of the core beliefs of dominionism appears to be and I quote: "Dominionists say the church will completely Christianize and rule the world before Jesus can return." (Dominionism: The Trojan Horse In The Charismatic Movement: you can google this for additional info if you wish).
She has said, in more than one of her church appearances that she is on a mission from G0d and doing the work of G0d.
Watching her exhort the crowds and from the look in her eyes, loving the her own sense of power gives me the chills. I think what she represents is dangerous.
Here's 39 seconds from the 30's with subtitles: I see parallels
http://www
yes, i watched the video. striking similarities.
I watched the video. I don't know...it seems kind of far fetched to me. I mean I could see it, because Gov Palin certainly seems extremely self-centered. But I think we have too many checks and balances in place to let it go that far. We also are far too diverse a culture.
This is why it is important for us to hear Gov Palin in front of the real media. All we have heard are the typical stump speeches since her stumble through the Katie Couric interview. The MSM should be able to ask questions about her about her "associations". Why isn't she being vetted. There's many question she needs to answer. There's quite a real possibility (though I pray that doesn't happen) she could be our President one day.
Republican Party is still the party of Joseph McCarthy. They've just replaced the word "Communist" with "Trait0r" or "Terr0rist".
It's the same act all over again. They are trying to get Ayer's or Barack Hurt.
The republican party are so corrupt with power that if they can't win, they will get Dems. hurt by a crazy.
Contact McCain & RNC & GOP websites and let them know if anything happens they will be accountable.
I think numerous people are seeing shadows of Germany in the 1930s at these rallies. The sheriff in his uniform was most scary.
How close was his uniform to that of the SS? Black boots and an outstretched arm was all that was missing to complete the image.
Exactly what I was thinking. Very scary.
"So, Sarah Palin is not 'fascist,'" I disagree.
Fascist - a political philosophy, movement, or regime that often exalts race above the individual.
* Palin agrees with her church in Wasilla that the Israelis deserve terrorist attacks because Jews are unbelievers in Christ, and that the Jews are responsible for the economic downfall and "they need to be removed from being bankers and such."
* Palin used her office to exact revenge for personal matters.
* Despite knowing Obama is not a Muslim, is not a friend of Ayers, does not advocate the U.S. being defeated, is an American and has never done anything remotely unpatriotic, let alone traitorous, Palin purposely incites crowds with lies to the contrary and smiles approvingly at the shouts of "traitor" "Kill him" and the like that the crowds then direct toward Obama.
Bottom line is that she doesn't like Jews, Blacks or other minorities; has no hesitation to use whatever powers are at her disposal to exact revenge; and does not believe in the separation of church and state.
Palin is an unqualified, undereducated loudmouth put on the national stage by the hasty decision of McCain who thought (mistakenly) that he could get the Hillary vote by having a woman candidate running with him. Palin presents a real threat to our democracy and it is up to McCain who brought this upon us to cure the problem now before some of the people she is purposely inciting by race baiting do something drastic.
Your definition of fascism seems completely based around race. That's not correct.
Fascism is a political movement that embraces:
nationalism
corporatism
totalitarianism
and militarism.
While some may argue (and I tend to agree) that Republicans have already given this country plenty in each of those four areas it still isn't enough to describe this country as being run fascists. I would, however, argue that today's Republican Party has undeniable fascist leanings that they need to answer for.
Ever heard the English adage: "Empty vessels make the most noise!"?
Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore
London, England.
Accurate and appropriate.
Thank you.
As a citizen of Europe we fear a McCain presidency.
And we overwhelmingly support this amazing Obama / Biden team.
What candidate comes to mind when reading the following sentence:
'War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have courage to meet it. All other trials are substitutes, which never really put men into the position where they have to make the great decision -- the alternative of life or death'
It is part of the definition of fascism as put forth by Benito Mussolini, Hitlers ally during WW II
Europeans also thought that Germany was to civilized to do what it did but guess what: they did it anyway.
The self restraint and civilized conduct that McCain is beginning to show now is more important than any of us maybe realize, he could have chosen to further strengthen this surge of xenophobia and fear and set the stage for God only knows what else.
The unthnkable also happened in the land of Bach Beethoven and Goethe.
So United Statesians, Please get it right this time
One European citizen for Obama / Biden
Want to watch really chilling videos of McCain/ Palin supporters at a rally ( scroll down to " it won't stop.It's the way they do things") ? What we have seen on MSM pales in comparison.
http://www
Hillary Clinton also engendered this sort of fierce loyalty often accompanied by anger directed toward Obama. Is it bald racism? I'm clueless.
So what is fascism? This is a serious question. I thought that it was a coalition between an undemocratic government and corporations to exploit and oppress the population. Perhaps I'm thinking of so-called national socialism (NAZI-ism), which has little to do with the "socialism" so feared by the mob. Wikipedia is unenlightening.
How can a United States Senator and a man that is running for the Presidency of the United States of America condone this type of behavior and promote it. How can a woman who is the Governor of Alaska and running for the Vice Presidency of America conduct herself like this? I know that Americans are frantically worried about the economy but we just CANNOT turn a blind eye to this type of behavior. This is a major issue. When people in their audience were calling out these names, he and Palin just smirked. Neither one of these government officials did anything except maybe to encourage more by their silence. Now several days later, when others are calling them out on this conduct, McCain gives a show of excuse. Palin has yet to do anything.
How can this be? Again, I state this is a major issue and should be confronted. Neither one of them are fit to hold the office they currently hold when they promote and encourage this hate mongering either with the words they use or the silence they keep when others around them do. This is SHAMEFUL CONDUCT. McCain and Palin owe all of America and Mr. Obama a public apology and we should be demanding it.
Americans and the world are watching. Are we just going to let their actions or silence slide by? Americans should be demanding their resignations from the campaign and from the offices they currently hold.
Good analysis and I am amazed at the extent to which media people are prepared to down play the wild whipping hate we are seeing during this campaign..
I'm curious - has anyone heard if the Secret Service has investigated, interviewed, or arrested the people shouting death threats at these events? Isn't it a crime to threaten the life of a US senator?
" the fervency of Palin's supporters has been amplified a thousand times over by the obsessive media coverage that she enjoys."
Ms. Palin feeds on the attention and adoration of "her" crowds, that is amplified for her thousandfold by the constant unquestioning media coverage. She could f*rt and the tv commentators would preface the "story" by saying what a novel approach she had then---and roll the tape. She is scary; the 24/7 news outlets seem to have OCD in her regard. They have helped create this monster.
Yes, Mr. F., what you say is true -- the electorate is being side-tracked by the race baiting and fear-mongering.
And, that's exactly what the Rethuglicans want.
Palin does not have to advocate an explicitly totalitarian agenda to be a fascist. That can come once power is achieved. Totalitarianism naturally and logically follows from the level of state control that would be needed to shut down America to foreign influences and foreign people, to shut out leftist ideas and movements, to roll back labor rights and unions even further. We don't have to think of it as an end in itself.
On top of all this, Palin has the biography of a fascist demagogue: born of the middle classes, more education than the average American but still mediocre, a rural mystique, deeply, deeply resentful of her more educated and sophisticated peers (poor Mr. Carney of Wasilla knows this), fearsome in competition and combat (read about her days on the basketball team), also deeply rooted in "traditional" forms, faith and family (they are not mere buzzwords to her, but concrete realities), extremely sensitive to criticism, intellectually insecure, an ability to hypnotically influence crowds and tap into the collective consciousness, and who knows how much more I or someone else could add to the list. She also has the right political connections, religious affiliations, and most of all, when she appeared on the scene, she awakened something in the far right that had been lying dormant for a long time without having actually done anything. The glimmer in Glen Beck's eye, the glee in Sean Hannity's voice - these were more telling indicators than anything else.
Excellent summary.
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