Ferrous

joined 2 years ago
[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

There are plenty of racists who aren't fascist. There are plenty or countries with racism problems that aren't fascist. There are plenty of dumbfucks who aren't fascist. There are plenty of illiterate countries that aren't fascist. "Stupidity" (im being careful here - i dont think illiteracy = stupid) and racism predates fascism.

Youve reached the limit of the liberal ideological framework and have resorted to explaining fascism as some sort of cultural pathology. This is what happens when your idealist politics prioritizes individual psychology and moralistic explanations over historical and economic analysis.

It's frustrating seeing liberals watch the fascist devolution in real-time, and just throw up their hands saying "well i guess americans are just stupid! QED!". It conveniently absolves them for their complicity in facilitating fascism, and it spits in the face of victims of US policy, both foreign and abroad.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

No, I think you missed my point entirely. No amount of shame, facts and logic, or blasts will stop fascism.

Until regulatory agencies stop being captured, until people can own homes, until people can retire, until people can get healthcare, until people can get childcare, the fascist devolution will continue.

You're still clinging to this ultra liberal idea that the "marketplace of ideas" is what ultimately turns the wheel of history and politics. It's the idea that politics and history is driven by individuals taking ideological stances, and that the only way to change history is to change minds. This could not be more incorrect. I really encourage you to do some introductory reading into Marxism - which historically has been the greatest defense against fascism, as well as has the most comprehensive explanation of how fascism happens. Wage Labor and Capital is a great start.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 21 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (9 children)

For starters, understanding that American fascism is not the result of voters simply not being informed enough. The idea that, if all Trump supporters simply had access to better information, if they all had better education, if they were exposed to the right argument... then they'd see the light and turn into democrats - is a supremely liberal idea. We need to understand that no amount of epic slams, no amount of late night talk show roasts, no amount of facts and logic will steer us out of fascism.

As we devolve deeper and deeper into fascism, it has been frustrating watching liberals flail to try and understand how the devolution is happening: is it because people are uneducated? Is it because of Joe Rogan's podcasts? Is it because of Russian spies? Is it because Trump has started a cult? Is it because Fox News? Is it because lead was used in gasoline 50 years ago? Is it because we use lead water pipes? Is it because of Ronald Reagan? All of this waffling to avoid the hard questions. I.e, "is it possible that fascism is the only logical conclusion a nation which was founded solely by white landowners to do wholesale on genocide on native Americans?"

If you fail to start thinking about this devolution into fascism in terms of history, class, and material conditions, you're always going to be hopelessly confused about the structures and frameworks that allow fascism to fester.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

this isn’t a response to conditions. Because if it were the people voting for Trump should realize he is not now nor ever going to help them economically.

I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Just because a response to changing conditions is irrational doesn't mean it is not a response to changing conditions. It seems like you're arguing that Trump supporters give their support to Trump because they think he will ruin the economy, but that's obviously not the case. One of the Trump camp's main arguments is his economic aptitude (whether or not you believe that is complete bullshit). The undeniable reality is that Trump supporters truly believe he is going to save the economy even if you (perhaps rightly) think tariffs are going to cause massive damage.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 16 points 1 year ago (4 children)

The liberal framework cannot explain why millions of people support Trump because it refuses to acknowledge that capitalism itself generates such movements.

This is why we see liberals using increasingly mystical language (cult). Liberals reduce the Trump phenomenon to irrational devotion to a demagogue, framing it as a psychological or cultural pathology rather than a political response to material conditions. This obscures the fact that Trump's base is not a brainwashed sect but a coalition of reactionary class forces—primarily the petty bourgeoisie, sections of the labor aristocracy, and segments of the bourgeoisie itself—whose interests align with right-wing populism in the face of capitalist crisis.

By calling it a "cult," liberals dismiss the genuine (if misguided) grievances of workers who have been destroyed by neoliberalism.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 27 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Being lovable does not equal a need for intimate partners.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago

This is the logical conclusion to "vote blue no matter who".

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 24 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Lot of boomer-like fist shaking in these comments.

Newer generations are going to find different things to excel at, and they'll inevitably give up on some of the old ways.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml -2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And what would keep conservatism from sprouting once again in this scenario?

Conservatism is not the issue; the issue is capitalism. Put the capitalists against the wall.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago

What makes you say that? It has went over perfectly well for the Trump team, and it was honestly a huge success for them in legitimizing this push for supreme executive power.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can anyone else think of another state whose constitution explicitly enshrines the right to enslave people?

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