Ur-Fascism by Umberto Eco

The Cult of Tradition rejects the advancement of knowledge, holding that all truth has already been revealed and can only be reinterpreted. This forms a Syncretic Culture that must tolerate internal contradictions.

It is characterised by Irrationalism and a rejection of modernism, fundamentally anti-Enlightenment, while superficially praising technology. Its core ideology is based on "blood and soil."

There is a Cult of Action for Action’s Sake, where immediate action is prized over reflection; thinking is viewed as emasculating. Critical attitudes are suspect.

No form of syncretism can tolerate criticism, which operates by making distinctions. Therefore, for Ur-Fascism, disagreement is treason.

Disagreement is a sign of diversity. Ur-Fascism grows by heightening the natural fear of difference. Its initial appeal is against intruders, making it xenophobic/racist by definition.

Ur-Fascism springs from social or individual frustration (historically appealing to frustrated middle classes) who are uneasy due to economic crisis or political humiliation, and fearful of subordinate groups.

For those lacking social identity, Ur-Fascism offers the privilege of being born in the "right" country (origin of nationalism). Identity is forged through enemies, leading to an obsession with a plot (if possible, international). Followers must feel besieged. The easiest way to allege a plot is through xenophobia, but it must also come from the inside.

Followers must feel humiliated by the apparent wealth and strength of their enemies. However, followers must simultaneously be convinced they can and will defeat these enemies. Thus, enemies are both too strong and too weak.

For Ur-Fascism, life is not a struggle for life, but life for the struggle. Pacifism is collusion with the enemy because life is permanent warfare. This necessitates the Armageddon Complex, the idea of a final confrontation after which the movement will gain control, contradicting the principle of permanent war.

Elitism is typical, but Ur-Fascism proposes an elitism of the masses. Every citizen belongs to the world's "best people." Every party member is among the best citizens, yet the leader's power is based on the weakness of the masses, which deserves a dominator. A hierarchical, military structure ensures every leader disdains subordinates, reinforcing mass elitism.

Everyone is educated to be a hero, and heroism is the norm, intrinsically linked to death. The Ur-Fascist hero aspires to an announced death as the ultimate reward, making them impatient to die.

The Ur-Fascist transfers the will to power onto sexual matters, leading to machismo, contempt for women, and an intolerant condemnation of non-conformist sexual habits. The difficulty of sexual engagement leads the Ur-Fascist to play with weapons, the phallic fetish.

Ur-Fascism relies on qualitative populism. While democracy follows majority decisions, Ur-Fascism holds that individuals have no rights, and the People are a monolithic entity that expresses a common will. The leader pretends to be the interpreter of this will. When a politician casts doubt on the capacity of Parliament to represent the people, we hear Ur-Fascism.

Finally, Ur-Fascism speaks Orwell’s Newspeak. All fascist texts contain elementary syntax and poor vocabulary to limit the tools for critical thought and complex reasoning.



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