<— Click here to read my thoughts on Mr. Trump and a second term.
Before we proceed, let me be absolutely clear: I strongly oppose the vast majority of what Donald Trump represents. I believe he is a billionaire more focused on personal loyalty than merit, often surrounding himself with unqualified loyalists. Furthermore, I see him as having misled a significant portion of the American population into believing he genuinely cares about their interests. For example, I don’t think the majority of this country even understands how tariffs or basic economics work. Harping on the economy is low-hanging fruit, and both parties pick it every four years in this country. Trump says jump, and the vast majority of his supporters ask “How high?” This post is not to excuse Mr. Trump or the sane-washing that we are witnessing each day as we inch closer to his second term.
Fascism: A (Very) Brief History
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by ultranationalism, centralized power, and the suppression of dissent. Rooted in the societal upheavals following World War I, fascism gained prominence in Italy under Benito Mussolini, who coined the term. His regime emphasized the supremacy of the state, glorification of violence, and strict social hierarchies. Let us already recognize a trend: a continent destroyed by the First World War became the impetus for which ultranationalism took root.
It is crucial to note that Adolf Hitler, after losing the popular vote in 1932, eventually rose to power with the overwhelming support of over 89% of the German population.[1] This near-unanimous backing effectively granted him unchecked authority, enabling his transition to totalitarian rule. By comparison, as of mid-November 2024, the United States election results reflect a deeply divided electorate, with Donald Trump securing both the popular vote and the Electoral College in a race that remains near 50/50. A slim majority like this is far removed from the overwhelming 89% support Hitler commanded—or even a decisive majority exceeding 60%.
In her seminal 1951 work, The Origins of Totalitarianism, political scientist Hannah Arendt argued that totalitarian movements thrive by organizing masses rather than classes. For regimes like those in 20th-century Germany and Italy, widespread mobilization of the population was essential. Hitler’s 89% vote provided him not only with unprecedented power but also with a cadre of loyal followers and sycophants who enabled his authoritarian ambitions. Comparing such historical contexts underscores the significant differences in public support and mobilization between these situations.
The Next Four Years
I can only speak for the here and now; that’s to say, I am hopeful that cooler heads will prevail and that rhetoric will tone down. America, now more than ever, is a wounded nation with a seething divide between two out-of-control political ideologies. Each day we turn on the news, it’s as if we are inside of a reality TV show. While there are elements of populism and dogma that do hint towards fascism, America is not simply going to capitulate overnight into a totalitarian regime. Americans now have the opportunity to hold Mr. Trump and his loyalists to the many promises they have made. Use this time to take note and possibly share how these promises are shaping over these next four years.
Yes, I am fully aware that Mr. Trump has alluded to the possibility of pursuing a third term or refusing to relinquish power. However, the reality is that he faces significant opposition, with 73 million Americans voting against him. He’s also old and not that healthy (maybe he should try cycling, it’s fun.) Anyway- even this simple level of resistance stands in stark contrast to the conditions under which totalitarian regimes historically arise. While hints of fascism should be taken with some caution, we cannot capitulate that America is lost and headed down a path akin to the rise of fascism in Europe.
Populism isn’t just isolated to the United States. Take a look around the world and you will see the dogmatic climate repeated in many parts.
Cold War Era Doctrine
During the Cold War, the United States adopted a “mellowing” strategy toward the Soviet Union. Political scientists recognized that the eventual collapse of the USSR would take decades, not mere years. The State Department understood that deeply entrenched Soviet ideology could not be abruptly dismantled without risking catastrophic consequences. Instead, the focus was on gradually softening these ideological foundations to facilitate a more sustainable resolution.
These same devices can be used to both strengthen and weaken American institutions and quorum, entirely depending on the side that is wielding sich devices. The withering of federal institutions is possible but will take time- especially with almost an equal amount of Americans opposing Mr. trumps rise to a second term.
My Advice
Living in a divided world is undeniably difficult—I understand that all too well. It’s one of the reasons I set aside my aspirations in political science. Beneath the surface, it often comes down to egos, money, and power struggles. Yet, there remains a silver lining: we are Americans, united by a shared set of core principles.
Indeed, extremes dominate social media discourse, but the broader reality is one of relative stability, as was the case from 2016 to 2020 and will likely remain so in the years ahead. Acknowledging this is not an endorsement or normalization of what I view as the flaws of a second Trump presidency. Rather, it’s an acknowledgment of the truth: we are not a fascist country, and alarmist narratives should not overshadow the resilience of our institutions and shared values.
As Hannah Arendt[2] and many others who experienced the tumult of 20th-century wars understood, totalitarian regimes do not emerge overnight. To capitulate and declare defeat will not drive out this populism that America has so boldly adopted. Much as the State Department and cooler heads can attest to, these things take time.
Fascism in the United States is possible, as it was with Italy and Germany, but several distinct traits are missing from the current American climate. While I do believe America is moving towards an era of populism, and that Reaganism is almost absent from the GOP, we must take some things at face value. While Mr. Trump’s rhetoric is dark, such as his desire to use the military to help with mass deportation, it is the same old playbook that Mr. Trump and his sycophants have been touting all along.
[1]: Adolf Hitler lost the popular vote in the 1934 German elections. However, on August 19, 1934, the German people voted to merge the offices and elevate Hitler to the position of Führer. A staggering 95.7% of the population voted, with an overwhelming 89.93% supporting Hitler.
[2]: I want to take a brief moment to clarify some of what I mean here. Hannah Arendt viewed fascism and Nazism as relatively similar ideologies concerning totalitarianism but also as somewhat separate entities; that is, Nazism and fascism are not the same. For the brevity of my post, I have used the two interchangeably to highlight the totalitarian traits of both. Arendt viewed fascism as rooted in reactionary doctrine whereas Naziism was rooted in ideological doctrine. A more robust and academic paper would make it more prudent to highlight and go into detail a few of the differences. If you are interested in learning more, head on over to Foreign Affairs at this link.
If you, like me, are tired of politics right now, pick up a book, take a walk, find a hobby, or chill out. Our brains are not wired for the 24/7 algorithms that keep us bickering with people who are probably Russian bots anyway. That said, I enjoy writing this content- albeit my views have changed since I got into the political realm in 2016.
Updated 19 November 2024 @ 22:08 Central
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