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 nations 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 Ecos 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 ideologys 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...

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...

…Eco and like-minded pundits press the point that there is clear and present danger of fascisms rise in democratic nations around the world, making this text especially relevant and important to know. As Ecos 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…