Here in Baghdad By the Sea we are in the midst of mass movement into our state by people who want "limited" government. After all we have no state income tax. No state inheritance tax. Despite our huge population, we still have the laws of a 19th Century agrarian state.
But I'm living in a Fascist state. E.G. Borrowing from Tom Huckin, pr…
Here in Baghdad By the Sea we are in the midst of mass movement into our state by people who want "limited" government. After all we have no state income tax. No state inheritance tax. Despite our huge population, we still have the laws of a 19th Century agrarian state.
But I'm living in a Fascist state. E.G. Borrowing from Tom Huckin, professor emeritus, University of Utah: "Is Ron DeSantis a fascist? Checking 14 characteristics of fascism against the Florida governor’s actions." They tried to remove political opponents, injected more partisan politics in local elections, restricted city and county investments, erased some community regulations, and enact policies favoring business and development interests, longtime allies of the Florida Republican Party.
First, fascism is “a cult of tradition.” DeSantis’ traditionalist, anti-“woke” policies are a good example.
Second, Eco considered it “an irrational rejection of modernism.” DeSantis’s vow in Orem to “kneecap” environmental, social and governing investing strategies exemplifies this.
A third characteristic is “action for action’s sake” and “distrust of the intellectual world.” Examples include DeSantis’ continuing attacks on Florida’s colleges and universities and their open-minded searches for truth — which he simplistically demeans as “wokism.”
Fourth is a rejection of the critical spirit, replaced by the notion that “disagreement is treason.” This accords with the previous point.
A fifth characteristic is fear of diversity. As Eco [Umberto Eco OMRI (5 January 1932 – 19 February 2016) who wrote on Fascism] puts it, “Fascism is racist by definition.” DeSantis is notorious for his attacks on the teaching of Black history, Indigenous history, slavery, or anything else that deviates from the traditional white-oriented curriculum.
Sixth is fascism’s appeal to frustrated middle and lower-middle classes. In our hypercapitalistic nation, money flows upward to the wealthier classes, creating resentment among everyone else. DeSantis’ political rhetoric takes full advantage.
A seventh characteristic is ultranationalism and obsession with a plot, possibly an international one. DeSantis has promoted laws that would criminalize and incarcerate not only undocumented immigrants but any citizen who helps them.
Eighth is a feeling of humiliation due to the wealth and power of their enemies. Not applicable in DeSantis’ case.
Next is the fascist belief that “life is permanent warfare.” The current culture war embraced by DeSantis and his followers is a good example, as was DeSantis’ crusade against Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Tenth is a populist form of elitism that includes contempt for the weak. DeSantis is known for such cruelty, going back to when he was a Navy officer at Guantanamo sitting in on — and, according to one victim, enjoying — torture sessions.
Eleventh: the myth of the hero. Fascism always has a strong leader who considers himself superior to everyone else. DeSantis’ attacks on Disney World and the CDC are good illustrations.
Twelfth is the “fetishizing of machismo” and “disdain for women and homosexuals,” enhanced by what Eco calls “the worship of guns as phallic symbols.” DeSantis projects a kind of machismo in his public image, including disdain for women in a harsh new abortion law and disdain for gays in his book bans. As for guns, he recently signed into law the right of all Florida citizens to carry a concealed gun anywhere — without a permit.
A thirteenth characteristic of fascism is “TV or Internet populism, in which the emotional response of a selected group of citizens can be presented and accepted as the Voice of the People.” DeSantis is a frequent guest on Fox News, Newsmax, and other right-wing platforms, which promote him in every way.
Finally, fascism uses “an impoverished vocabulary and an elementary syntax, in order to limit the instruments for complex and critical reasoning.” Though he’s well-educated, DeSantis uses simplified speech in public, and simplistic reasoning.
Like Trump, DeSantis, with support of a right wing legislature, is a demagogue, who scapegoats "the other" and emasculates local governmental authority.
Umberto Eco of ‘The Name of the Rose’ fame? {Do I have that right?} I had not read anything else by him. Must dig him up {well, not literally…}.
[Quite an analysis of the Floridian Fascisti, though. Yep.
Mr. Hartmann’s discussion of the concept of “limited government” in light of aristocracy v. democracy is dead straight and SO important, too.
If by “government,” we refer to “power over us,” then limiting our system created by our DEMOCRACY only leaves more power in the hands of fewer wealthy individuals to “govern” our behavior. It’s an inherent contradiction in the foundational idea.
Egad, syntax and semantics … too complicated. I like Mr. Hartmann’s treatment of it. Wish I could get more people to read him.]
Here in Baghdad By the Sea we are in the midst of mass movement into our state by people who want "limited" government. After all we have no state income tax. No state inheritance tax. Despite our huge population, we still have the laws of a 19th Century agrarian state.
But I'm living in a Fascist state. E.G. Borrowing from Tom Huckin, professor emeritus, University of Utah: "Is Ron DeSantis a fascist? Checking 14 characteristics of fascism against the Florida governor’s actions." They tried to remove political opponents, injected more partisan politics in local elections, restricted city and county investments, erased some community regulations, and enact policies favoring business and development interests, longtime allies of the Florida Republican Party.
First, fascism is “a cult of tradition.” DeSantis’ traditionalist, anti-“woke” policies are a good example.
Second, Eco considered it “an irrational rejection of modernism.” DeSantis’s vow in Orem to “kneecap” environmental, social and governing investing strategies exemplifies this.
A third characteristic is “action for action’s sake” and “distrust of the intellectual world.” Examples include DeSantis’ continuing attacks on Florida’s colleges and universities and their open-minded searches for truth — which he simplistically demeans as “wokism.”
Fourth is a rejection of the critical spirit, replaced by the notion that “disagreement is treason.” This accords with the previous point.
A fifth characteristic is fear of diversity. As Eco [Umberto Eco OMRI (5 January 1932 – 19 February 2016) who wrote on Fascism] puts it, “Fascism is racist by definition.” DeSantis is notorious for his attacks on the teaching of Black history, Indigenous history, slavery, or anything else that deviates from the traditional white-oriented curriculum.
Sixth is fascism’s appeal to frustrated middle and lower-middle classes. In our hypercapitalistic nation, money flows upward to the wealthier classes, creating resentment among everyone else. DeSantis’ political rhetoric takes full advantage.
A seventh characteristic is ultranationalism and obsession with a plot, possibly an international one. DeSantis has promoted laws that would criminalize and incarcerate not only undocumented immigrants but any citizen who helps them.
Eighth is a feeling of humiliation due to the wealth and power of their enemies. Not applicable in DeSantis’ case.
Next is the fascist belief that “life is permanent warfare.” The current culture war embraced by DeSantis and his followers is a good example, as was DeSantis’ crusade against Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Tenth is a populist form of elitism that includes contempt for the weak. DeSantis is known for such cruelty, going back to when he was a Navy officer at Guantanamo sitting in on — and, according to one victim, enjoying — torture sessions.
Eleventh: the myth of the hero. Fascism always has a strong leader who considers himself superior to everyone else. DeSantis’ attacks on Disney World and the CDC are good illustrations.
Twelfth is the “fetishizing of machismo” and “disdain for women and homosexuals,” enhanced by what Eco calls “the worship of guns as phallic symbols.” DeSantis projects a kind of machismo in his public image, including disdain for women in a harsh new abortion law and disdain for gays in his book bans. As for guns, he recently signed into law the right of all Florida citizens to carry a concealed gun anywhere — without a permit.
A thirteenth characteristic of fascism is “TV or Internet populism, in which the emotional response of a selected group of citizens can be presented and accepted as the Voice of the People.” DeSantis is a frequent guest on Fox News, Newsmax, and other right-wing platforms, which promote him in every way.
Finally, fascism uses “an impoverished vocabulary and an elementary syntax, in order to limit the instruments for complex and critical reasoning.” Though he’s well-educated, DeSantis uses simplified speech in public, and simplistic reasoning.
Like Trump, DeSantis, with support of a right wing legislature, is a demagogue, who scapegoats "the other" and emasculates local governmental authority.
Also see: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/17/desantis-florida-republicans-want-new-limits-local-governments/69912435007/
Umberto Eco of ‘The Name of the Rose’ fame? {Do I have that right?} I had not read anything else by him. Must dig him up {well, not literally…}.
[Quite an analysis of the Floridian Fascisti, though. Yep.
Mr. Hartmann’s discussion of the concept of “limited government” in light of aristocracy v. democracy is dead straight and SO important, too.
If by “government,” we refer to “power over us,” then limiting our system created by our DEMOCRACY only leaves more power in the hands of fewer wealthy individuals to “govern” our behavior. It’s an inherent contradiction in the foundational idea.
Egad, syntax and semantics … too complicated. I like Mr. Hartmann’s treatment of it. Wish I could get more people to read him.]
Great post, thanks!
Not ‘strongmen’ - wrong men. -- b.rad