 merrie says: In Germany, the Nazis followed in the wake of the Italian Fascists, adding racism in general and anti-Semitism in particular, neither of which was part of Fascism in Italy or in Franco’s Spain. In short, during the 1920s and the early 1930s, Fascism was not only looked on favorably by the Left but recognized as having kindred ideas, agendas, and assumptions. The Nazi variant of Fascism found favor on the Left in the 1920s. Only after Hitler and Mussolini disgraced themselves, mainly by their brutal military aggressions in the 1930s, did the Left distance itself from these international pariahs. Fascism, initially recognized as a kindred ideology of the Left, has since come down to us defined as being on “the Right"— supposedly further extensions of conservatism If by conservatism you mean belief in free markets, limited government, and traditional morality, including religious influences, then these are all things that the Fascists opposed just as much as the Left does t Thomas Sowell's commentary on Jonah Goldberg’s new book, "Liberal Fascism" Fascism has NEVER been historically defined as a leftist ideology. Fascism was born as a reaction to the Enlightenment. Fascism is anti-intellectual, anti-rational and autocratic. If the left of the 1920s and 1930s is guilty of anything, it is admiring Stalin, not Hitler or Mussolini. I am so tired of conservatives taking Goldberg's theory as truth. His argument does not stand up to historical scrutiny. Define the term, consider it further, and then let the chips fall where they may. Liberal Fascism? A punch-line to a joke only a neocon could love. Liberal Fascism?Bit like 'Military Intelligence'? Bit like 'Military Intelligence'?excellent!!! The Fascists can't be considered either left or right by modern standards - like the right they were big on family values and national defense. Like the left they were more willing to use government power to regulate industry. But their biggest thing was nationalism - the importance of the fatherland and how everyone and everything was to be used to further the goals of the fatherland. *insert* Homeland George Bernard Shaw, the Fabian Society Reconstructionist theory has always had a more successful relationship with leftist thinkers e.g. socialists, communists, and even some liberal postmodern contemporary philosophers,,,,,,,, In 1932, about the time the Fabians had reached a peak in Britain, George Counts wrote Dare the School Build a New Social Order published in the USA. Yet such radical socialist thoughts have never been popular in America and have not held a central forum or been seen to be an acceptable dialogue as it has embraced socialism. Radical left wing thinkers in the main, including Theodore, Brameld (himself a Communist) could not promote socialism in America effectively. ... Mcfinn, actually not an oxymoron but more of a redundant term. Given the woeful state of education regarding history, it is quite appropriate. You should investigate this more deeply. H. G. Wells, one of the most important and influential progressive and socialist intellectuals of the 20th century wanted to re-brand liberalism as “liberal fascism” and even “enlightened Nazism.” He believed these terms best described his own political views. Those views being deeply held American progressivism and New Deal liberalism. I suspect you have an open mind, Mcfinn. Perhaps you should challenge the conventional wisdom on this one because the conventional wisdom is not very wise. I suspect you have an open mind, Mcfinn. Perhaps you should challenge the conventional wisdom on this one because the conventional wisdom is not very wise.I completely agree with you willhelm, I took mickfinn's comment, just as you did, as an oxymoron, but perhaps in a playful way. |
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