How Leaders Gain Power through Fascism in 7 Phases & How to Beat it in the Modern World in 4 Steps
Leaders’ Methods and Tactics to Achieving Political Domination by Employing Fascist Techniques & How Individuals (YOU) can combat the unthinkable future with a fascist leader.
**Disclaimer: Many leaders around the world use Fascist-like techniques to gain power. Any reference in this article refers only to those techniques and not, in any way, calling the leaders fascist in themselves. Ideologies are not black and white. This article targets the ‘black’ side of a leader’s actions, no matter how big or how small.**
How Leaders Gain Power through Fascism
Phase 1. The leader campaigns and forms a grassroots movement by focusing on an ‘idealized past’ instead of a hopeful future.
Phase 2. The leader courts the group majority by blaming all of their problems and misfortunes on external forces such as immigrants, minorities, or science. Hitler was able to do this by blaming the economic problems of Germany on Jew, LGBTQ+, Gypsy, and other minority groups.
Phase 3. After placing the seed of hateful blaming in the majority’s mind, make them fearful about their lives getting worse. Tell the majority extremes, such as, ‘…your lives will be ruined unless you follow me’. Fear turns into anger and anger turns into hate.
Phase 4. After three phases, there is certainly wide opposition in the society, or at least a lack of engagement from the majority group. Crush opposition and engage others by continuing fear, spreading lies, and supporting conspiracy theories.
Phase 5. Even though most people do not believe the lies, there are too many distractions and conspiracy theories to filter through the news. In the least, an inkling of fear and uncertainty takes root in all individuals. Without direction, many rally around the ‘strong, confident’ leader or, apathetically, fail to fulfill your civic duty at all.
Phase 6. Maintain power by stacking people on your side against enemies. Fire or take out the opposition and only surround yourself with yes-people. Get the state power on your side, whether it may be para-military, the police force, or an extralegal citizens’ army.
Phase 7. Historically, after step six, there are major changes in the society that lead to civil unrest, forceful suppression of the opposition, and certainly actions that violate international human rights law.
How to Beat Fascism in the Modern World
Step One. Familiarize yourself with The Declaration of Human Rights. Follow these internationally agreed upon rights the best you possibly can. Vote and speak up against any person or action in violation of the rights. https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/human-rights/
Step Two. Educate yourself with credible and varying news sources. Those who rely on one form or one company tend to be swayed by media interests. A mix of TV stations, social media sites, newspapers, magazines, etc. is ideal. Apolitical, credible, and free news sources include Reuters and Associated Press.
Step Three. Remain calm when modern tyranny takes over. Do not let violence in the streets prevent you from noticing corruption-filled legal action in the courts. Peaceful protest, legal action, coalition building is highly effective. Be safe and do not place yourself in areas with lethal tools present: guns, poison gas, knives, and more. Do not be reactionary, be mindful.
Step Four. Be a humanist. Stand up for your fellow human in any way you can. Be selfless. *In the pandemic, if you are not at risk, wear a mask for those who are at risk.* The invention of Democracy means that we no longer have to only focus on our own wellbeing for survival. Humanism is not about self-preservation, it is about the collective good of all humanity. We must support and maintain the integrity of Democracy and humanism around the world.
Sources: How Facism Works — Jason Stanley & On Tyranny — Timothy Synder
