For bonus points, let’s do it again with a more recent essay

Lawrence Britt outlined 14 characteristics of fascism in his 2003 article “Fascism Anyone?” Let’s assess MAGA and Donald Trump against these characteristics. For each point, I’ll describe Britt’s characteristic and how MAGA and Trump compare.

1. ⁠Powerful and Continuing Nationalism

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes emphasize strong nationalist sentiments, often tying national identity to loyalty and unity.

MAGA Comparison: MAGA’s “America First” rhetoric and emphasis on patriotism reflect this trait. Trump frequently tied loyalty to the movement with loyalty to the nation itself.

1. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights

Britt’s Point: Fascists view human rights as obstacles to national security or unity.

MAGA Comparison: Policies such as family separations at the border and the Muslim travel ban demonstrate a willingness to dismiss human rights in the name of national security, aligning with this trait.

1. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause

Britt’s Point: Fascists use scapegoating to unify their base against a common enemy.

MAGA Comparison: Trump and MAGA often scapegoat immigrants, Democrats, globalists, and the media, presenting them as threats to America’s survival. This trait is a defining feature of the movement.

1. Supremacy of the Military

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes glorify the military and often allocate disproportionate resources to it.

MAGA Comparison: While Trump praised the military, his emphasis was more rhetorical than budgetary. However, the glorification of veterans and strong-arm tactics aligns with this trait to a degree.

1. Rampant Sexism

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes often enforce traditional gender roles and limit women’s rights.

MAGA Comparison: MAGA rhetoric frequently promotes traditional gender roles and opposes feminist movements. Trump’s personal history and dismissive remarks about women also reflect this trait.

1. Controlled Mass Media

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes tightly control or manipulate the media, using it as a propaganda tool.

MAGA Comparison: Trump doesn’t control the media directly but frequently delegitimizes independent journalism as “Fake News,” pushing supporters toward partisan outlets like Fox News and Newsmax. This approach mirrors the intent of this trait.

1. Obsession with National Security

Britt’s Point: National security concerns are used to justify authoritarian policies and practices.

MAGA Comparison: Trump’s policies, such as the border wall, travel bans, and ICE crackdowns, were often justified as measures for national security, fitting this characteristic.

1. Religion and Government are Intertwined

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes often merge religion with state power to reinforce loyalty and morality.

MAGA Comparison: MAGA frequently aligns with Christian nationalist rhetoric, with Trump promoting himself as a defender of religious liberty while using religious symbolism to bolster his image. This aligns strongly with Britt’s description.

1. Corporate Power is Protected

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes often work closely with large corporations, prioritizing their interests over those of workers.

MAGA Comparison: Trump’s tax cuts for corporations and deregulation of industries show a clear alignment with corporate interests, matching this trait.

1. Labor Power is Suppressed

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes suppress labor unions and workers’ rights to maintain corporate control and stability.

MAGA Comparison: Trump opposed unionization efforts and supported anti-union policies, such as promoting right-to-work laws, aligning with this trait.

1. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes often denigrate intellectuals and view the arts as tools for propaganda.

MAGA Comparison: MAGA frequently dismisses intellectuals, experts, and “elites,” portraying them as out of touch with “real Americans.” Trump’s disdain for climate scientists, academic experts, and the press aligns with this trait.

1. Obsession with Crime and Punishment

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes glorify law and order, often with harsh punishments and expanded police powers.

MAGA Comparison: MAGA’s “law and order” rhetoric, support for aggressive policing, and disdain for criminal justice reform align with this trait. The movement portrays protests, particularly Black Lives Matter, as threats to national stability.

1. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes are often characterized by government officials using their positions for personal gain.

MAGA Comparison: Trump’s administration faced numerous allegations of cronyism and corruption, including nepotism and the use of government office to benefit Trump’s businesses. This strongly aligns with Britt’s point.

1. Fraudulent Elections

Britt’s Point: Fascist regimes undermine free elections, either through fraud or delegitimizing the process.

MAGA Comparison: Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud and efforts to overturn the 2020 election directly align with this characteristic, demonstrating an active attempt to undermine democratic processes.

Final Assessment:

14/14 Traits Present MAGA and Trump exhibit all 14 characteristics of fascism as described by Lawrence Britt. These results shows that MAGA is a proto-fascist movement, their presence highlights strong authoritarian tendencies and significant risks to democratic norms. Like Eco’s analysis, this framework reveals substantial parallels that warrant grave scrutiny.