sigh

The Nazis were not the first fascists. Italy was. There’s been many since. Being fascists doesn’t mean being a Nazi. Being a Nazi DOES mean you are a fascist. Not all hot tubs are Jacuzzi, but all Jacuzzis are hot tubs.

It’s been said (paraphrasing) “Trying to define a fascist is like trying to nail jelly to a wall”. This is because there are many distinct forms of fascism, but they do share some similarities.

As Jason Stanley said to define fascism at its core:

A cult of the leader who promises national restoration in the face of humiliation brought on by supposed communists, Marxists and minorities and immigrants who are supposedly posing a threat to the character and the history of a nation … The leader proposes that only he can solve it and all of his political opponents are enemies or traitors.

Sound familiar?

Let’s break down that definition:

I challenge you to prove otherwise.

This is why you were banned from politicalmemes.

Because there’s not one definitive definition, and proving without a doubt someone shares ideals is almost impossible, you want to point at a vague idea and say “see, there’s no way he’s fascist!”

Now, it’s time for me to be an adult and do my actual job. This is just volunteer work.

No wonder you didn’t want to make an argument and opted to ban me instead…

In which definition have you ever seen cult leader listed?

National restoration? When did the Fet of Spain, New Guard of Australia, Parti national social chrétien of Canada, National Socialist Movement of Chile… ever wanted that? And how is land claim restorations comparable in any way to living standard and supposed cultural norm restoration?

Your fourth of outsiders and political opposition being enemy was literally done by every single authoritarian yet…

Oh you realize on your own at the end that your examples of what some fascist countries did is not evocative of the political farce that is used to usurp power… Maybe din’t post next time?

Did you not see the source I cited?

Here, let me help:

As Jason Stanley said to define fascism at its core

Who is Jason Stanley?

Jason Stanley (born 1969) is the Bissell-Heyd Chair in American Studies in the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, and also has an appointment in the Department of Philosophy. In addition to his position at the Munk School, he is a Distinguished Professor at the Kyiv School of Economics. Before coming to the University of Toronto in 2025, he held positions as a Professor of Philosophy at Yale University (2013-2025), Rutgers University (2004-2013), The University of Michigan (2000-4), and Cornell University (1995-2000). He accepted the appointment at the University of Toronto in 2025, fleeing the U.S. because of what he describes as the deteriorating political situation.

I’m guessing his bona fides are better than yours.