Why Understanding Fascism is Important for Americans Today

Article Review: “Ur-Fascism” by Umberto Eco

During an era when being an “anti-fascist” American has assumed negative connotations and the increasing polarization of the nation’s political parties has caused concern among many observers concerning the rise of fascism in the United States, it is essential to identify the various characteristics of fascism, why this issue is relevant to Americans today, and why it is important to know. To this end, this paper provides a review of Umberto Eco’s “Ur-Fascism,” followed by a summary of the findings in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion

While Eco concedes that formulating a definition of fascism is problematic, he provides multiple useful examples that shed light on the political ideology’s characteristics. For instance, according to Eco, fascism is characterized by cult of tradition, rejection of modernism, contempt for weakness, a strong preference for strongmen and machismo, a plot obsession, selective populism speaking “Newspeak,” and more that mirror what is taking place in the United States today. In many ways, these characteristics of fascism smack of “Big Brother,” an eventuality that is sought by growing numbers of right-leaning Americans – Americans who vote.

Indeed, Eco points to the contemporary debates concerning the rise of fascism by addressing resistance to rising authoritarianism and examining how historical European resistance coalitions unified despite immense ideological differences. In this regard, in ways that resemble the manner in which Communists and anti-Communists jointly opposed WWII fascism regardless of politics, Eco argues that the defenders of democracy today must set aside polarizing divisions in favor of the national interests. Moreover, Eco suggests not only identifying common foes of liberty but also better understanding fascism’s core psychological lures and rhetorical tactics in order to combat the insidious forces that are threatening freedom once again, but clad in 21st century garb.

In sum, by making foes out of all those who disagree with them, neofascists are using the tried-and-true playbook of fascists by appealing to a loosely defined mythical past glory (e.g., “Make America Great Again”) with a selectively moralistic traditionalism for emotional resonance as well as relying on sophisticated “fake news” propaganda and a cult of personality to sustain itself. The core characteristics of fascism identified by Eco provide a useful framework in which contemporary manifestations of fascism can be identified, a need which has assumed even greater importance and relevance in an age when multiple existential threats are arrayed against humankind and demagogues are increasingly attracting followers by playing on their anger and fear.

Conclusion

The philosopher George Santayana once famously observed that, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it,” and Eco and like-minded pundits press the point that there is clear and present danger of fascism’s rise in democratic nations around the world, making this text especially relevant and important to know. As Eco’s analysis shows, fascism exploits emotional appeals and contradictions to undermine democracy, revive nationalist myths, create scapegoats, and consolidate their power which they are wont to give up, even when they lose legitimate elections. With civic freedom facing internal and external threats, Umberto Eco gives policymakers and consumers alike in modern democracies the pattern recognition that is needed to respond before the vulnerabilities of unrest harden into outright authoritarian rule.