[lbo-talk] Fascism, right-wing populism, and contemporary research

Chip Berlet c.berlet at publiceye.org
Fri Feb 19 15:35:36 PST 2010


Doug, we both know that none of what you listed below are properly called "fascist," but a number of contemporary scholars of fascism now include the 1920s Ku Klux Klan as an example of a right-wing populist movement that consolidated into a fascist or proto-fascist formation. And, no, Doug, the 1920s KKK never took state power, but it really was a bad time if you were Black, Jewish, Catholic, or an immigrant.

I am not saying the TP movement is fascist; and no, it probably will never become a full-blown fascist movement, and no, it will probably not seize state power.

I am saying the potential for the TP movement to continue to move in that direction is high, and that in doing so it will harm the scapegoated groups that throughout history have been victimized by angry right-wing populist movements. I am also saying the angry White voter backlash could mess up hopes for any progressive gains during this period.

And I also indict the Democrats for moving further to the center and bailing out their wealthy cronies, while liberals delight in making fun of a movement that is out-organizing them.

I do regret you have decided to post glib and unhelpful responses here. I expect better of you. You could help by engaging in a serious discussion. I have been in a number of states were this TP dynamic is creating havoc for the veteran community and labor organizers I have interviewed. This issue of the oscillating dynamic among right-wing populists, conservative power brokers, and fascist tendencies needs to be better understood by organizers on the left.

If you can't be bothered with this discussion, can I at least garner your permission to answer a few more of the posts by people raising serious questions and pointing out flaws in my argument?

Chip

-----Original Message----- From: lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org [mailto:lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org] On Behalf Of Doug Henwood Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 5:11 PM To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Fascism, right-wing populism,and contemporary research

On Feb 19, 2010, at 4:59 PM, Chip Berlet wrote:


> Yes, I am arguing that when anxiety and fear are what binds together a
> populist movement, it can oscilate among a variety of ideological
> positions from left to right, (sometimes at the same time in a
> contradictory fashion), but that when it consolidates to the right
> in a
> consistent way, it looks to a strong state to protect its percieved
> interests.

Were the Palmer raids fascist? Was it fascist when the Wilson admin prohibited The Nation from using the mail? Was McCarthyism fascist? Was Nixon's declaring a war on drugs fascist? How about FDR putting Japanese-Americans in concentration camps?

About 15 years ago, R. Emmett "Bob" Tyrell told me that the Republicans use their crazy base the same way the Dems use environmentalists, labor, and civil rights types - as an easily manipulable source of votes. Once in office, they govern in the interests of Wall Street and the Fortune 500.

Doug ___________________________________ http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk



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