this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2024
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Capitalism in Decay

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Fascism is capitalism in decay. As with anticommunism in general, the ruling class has oversimplified this phenomenon to the point of absurdity and teaches but a small fraction of its history. This is the spot for getting a serious understanding of it (from a more proletarian perspective) and collecting the facts that contemporary anticommunists are unlikely to discuss.

Posts should be relevant to either fascism or neofascism, otherwise they belong in !latestagecapitalism@lemmygrad.ml. If you are unsure if the subject matter is related to either, share it there instead. Off‐topic posts shall be removed.

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For our purposes, we consider early Shōwa Japan to be capitalism in decay.

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[Classical] Fascism was interesting for a few reasons, some of them being its relationship to the labour movement:

  • ᴉuᴉlossnW was a prominent socialist until their expulsion from the PSI for their nationalist views, and if we take them at their word in their last testament while captured by communists, they considered themself a socialist
  • Fascism managed to bring other former Marxist communists into their ranks, notably Nicola Bombacci, a founding member of the Communist Party of Italy in 1921 until their expulsion for fascist views in 1927
  • Fascism was economically a class-collaborationist ideology (specifically corporativism, from the Latin corpus, body)

Now, of course, we have the benefit of hindsight and can see what a disaster Italian fascism and its friends were and the name of 'fascism' is forever tainted. But theoretically a modern equivalent could similarly appeal to both nationalists and the socialist-leaning today in a similar way. Fascism doesn't logically imply racism, nor does it necessarily exclude certain types of progressivism: see BUF gaining large support from women by being pro-suffrage, see environmentalism of eco-fascists, and consider some modern neofash parties adopting social democrat policy points.

With all this in mind, what were the early warning signs that Fascism was not going to be pro-worker, despite its rhetoric? How well do you believe socialists will be able to spot them?

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[–] comfy@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 months ago (6 children)

I'd like to hear Lemmygrad's thoughts on nationalism (and, separately, ultranationalism and irredentism) as a criteria for spotting fascism and other harmful ideologies.

[–] Soul_Greatsword@lemmygrad.ml 10 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (5 children)

Fascist and fascist adjacent nationalism tends to define the "nation" in a way that excludes and endangers entire demographics who often wield little power to begin with.

I'd argue that nationalism itself isn't inherently bad though. Many anti-colonial movements are nationalist, and AES countries have nationalist traits.

I believe Stalin's "Marxism and the National Question" wrestles with this but I am yet to read it.

[–] comfy@lemmy.ml 9 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (4 children)

and AES countries have nationalist traits

Agreed with the anti-colonial national liberation struggles being reasonable, although I am critical of (for example) present-day Chinese nationalism among civilians (or perhaps more specifically when it becomes national chauvanism, which from what I understand may be unfortunately widespread). While stories I've heard of the Korean War suggest a healthy class consciousness and a certain empathy towards oppressed groups among the US PoWs, a couple of Chinese citizens I've spoken to nowadays report that US racism has crept in among the nationalists (racial stereotyping about wealth and criminality which I'd rather not repeat, and attitudes towards interracial relationships reflecting those differing stereotypes).

This is a bit of a disjointed rant, but my point is that nationalism is a dangerous road, although I haven't studied it enough to know what situation or amount or type is fine (if any), and how to ensure socialism remains relevant in an anti-imperialist nationalist revolution.

[–] Soul_Greatsword@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 3 months ago

You make a good point. Nationalism in socialist projects still deserves scrutiny.

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