# How do you define fascism. Who is a fascist. And how do you identify.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-define-fascism-who-is-a-fascist-and-how-do-you-identify/837111>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [July 15, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-define-fascism-who-is-a-fascist-and-how-do-you-identify/837111 "2019-07-15T04:40:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 18

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-define-fascism-who-is-a-fascist-and-how-do-you-identify/837111/18 "2019-07-16T15:29:35Z")

</div>

> [@snfaulkner](#):
>
> Please, oh please. DO tell us your definition of fascist/fascism …

I think these posters nailed it:

> [@rowrrbazzle](#):
>
> Orwell, _Politics and the English Language_:

> [@jz78817](#):
>
> “fascists” are anyone who have political beliefs different from mine.  
> /s

> [@Scumpup](#):
>
> Right, but his definition is how I see the word used most often, lately.

In [the dead Antifa terrorist thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=878751), I wrote this:

> [@Antifa terrorist attacks ICE detention center, gets killed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifa-terrorist-attacks-ice-detention-center-gets-killed/837053/82):
>
> … To too many on the Left, “fascist” is just the latest smear for everyone they don’t like.

I think that accurately reflects how the word is most often used today in modern American political discourse.

If you want a dictionary definition, this one is as good as any:

> [@](#):
>
> Fascism is a form of radical right-wing, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition and strong regimentation of society and of the economy which came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe.

> [@snfaulkner](#):
>
> … who you think ARE fascist…

Benito Mussolini, to offer one prominent historical example.

> [@snfaulkner](#):
>
> and how you identify. …

I identify as someone who hates identity politics. If I must label myself, I consider myself to be a conservative and a capitalist, and don’t really have any sympathy for early 20th-century Italian dictators that got lined up against a wall and shot.

---

_[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-define-fascism-who-is-a-fascist-and-how-do-you-identify/837111)._