Beware of fascism engulfing the globe

THE global rise of fascism has left a bewildered world rather breathless.

Since it was first popularised by dictator Benito Mussolini in the 1920s, fascism and accusations of it have become a common theme in political discourse. The frightening signs of fascism come at different levels and in different stripes in modern times.

In a book by former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright, titled Fascism: A Warning, she implores the global community not to take democracy for granted. Democracy is “under assault and retreat” across Asia, Africa, South America, Europe and the US. Mankind must not bury the threat of encroaching fascism and instead work together against its rise by recognising the omnipresent signs.

Fascism is hostile to a free society and loathes democracy. It brazenly champions “might is right”, a survival strategy of the nastiest, and detests vulnerability, the sight of weakness brings out the jackboot in the fascist mind. Fascists cherish audacity and bombastic bravado, and promote charismatic leaders and political demagogues as strong leaders. Fascism and its horrific unchecked trajectory in Asia will ultimately propel nations into a conflict of immense proportions from which the planet will never recover.

The long-term project of modern fascism is a global ethnic war that will send humanity back into the Stone Age. For today’s fascists, violence is an ethical norm and a narrative device. Fascists excel at propaganda and make use of grand gestures to intimidate and coerce the unwary. Today, the word “fascism” has become synonymous with political thuggery and religious persecution, resulting in massive human rights violations. Eminent historians of fascism and authoritarianism have warned the global masses that democracy “is either withering or in full-scale collapse globally”.

In the wake of the Covid-19 plague, “the temptation to take refuge in a figure of arrogant strength is now greater than ever”, according to experts on fascism. This moment in our history is frightening not just because of the current crop of political demons, but because the global community has for too long allowed its prior demons to persist undisturbed. FAROUK ARAIE | Benoni