The sudden re-emergence of Fascism is a global threat. How can we stop Fascism from ruling the world? How do we resuscitate democracy from its last breath? As a majority of the population fall for the vicious theater of dictators in their dark fantasy world, peddling lies, proudly rechristened by the malefactors as alternative facts, how do the rest of the world put up its fight against this monster of an evil and succeed?
Is this a harbinger of doom?
There will be a ray of hope, as long as there are few wise people – men, women, gay, transgender- in this world. This is not going to be a warfield denigrated by dark clouds. But a scenic, picturesque evening where the few sane people act gracefully and do simple things elegantly, proudly and bravely.
Their actions should come from their stomach and not off the top of their head. They will have to show their conviction and profound likeness for this world. A lie cannot beat another lie. Violence begets only violence. It’s in the hands of the few wise people to drive away darkness with their beacon of hope.
What’s the rhetoric?
Pay attention to what you hear in general. If it’s divisive at its core, if it asks you to antagonize someone, respond with a smile and say “No, thanks. I am not buying it”. When Fascism takes its first baby step, your conventional wisdom whispers loudly in your mind “What could possibly go wrong? How could things get worse than the status quo? Let’s align with this ideology. Let’s give it a shot.”
The result is you eventually get inducted into their hatred program.
If their political campaign involves spreading hatred against any community or ideology or culture, or trying to become a one party state by demonizing other political parties, then beware and stay away.
As we have seen in the previous articles, anticipatory obedience is the first enemy. That’s when you give power to a democratically elected dictator to become a malicious leader. Democracy is not a two way door for a dictator. They gain power through it but would not concede a loss.
Authoritarian regimes do not have to gain power by brute force; often they are elected democratically by citizens.
Say no at the onset of the assault identifying it at an early stage.
Stay positive and firm
Be in your human element and try not to become a vice, controlling other lives. Do not let others dictate how you should live your life or how others should live theirs.
Talk to your friends who fall prey for this extremist madness, and explain to them about how the dictator and the powers that back them are emotionally agitating the less informed minds and find advantage in the subsequent chaos that ensues.
Their strategy is to deepen the crisis, divide the society and blame the opposition by doing whataboutery. Their promise of never-seen-before economic growth and prosperity is only a means to win elections in a democratic manner.
Once they come to power they will start eroding the democratic institutions and make the country less safer than ever before. So it is important to defend the democratic institutions by participating in social welfare activities that you care about. Do positive work and stay firm in it. Gather your old friends and make new friends while you become a defender of democratic institutions.
Love your country and its people
Fascist powers practice extreme forms of nationalism that isolates and demonizes certain communities in a larger society. Redefine patriotism by being inclusive of all communities cohabiting together in a harmonious way.
Be helpful to your neighbors and stand for them if they are the victims and stand against them passively when they are the wrongdoers. Do not be a participant in their wrong doing. Don’t be an aggressor. Don’t be a mute spectator. Voice your concern in the safest way.
Read on how far right populism or Fascism works
The opinions and references shared in this blog series is a result of knowledge gathered from several books on the topic of Fascism, and its related ideologies. Grateful to those authors who are doing a great job by spreading awareness on these issues.
Below are the books:
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
How to lose a country: The seven steps from Democracy to Dictatorship
How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley
Making Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization by David Livingstone Smith
Dictators: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century by Frank Dikotter
Fascism: A Very Short Introduction by Kevin Passmore
And numerous other articles published on the Internet were used as reference.
End of the blog series. Future posts will consist of standalone opinion and analysis pieces.
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