Fascist Power Wasn't Total: Experts Force Re-evaluation of 'Everything in the State' Slogan
Scholarly analysis shows Fascist state power was neither all-powerful nor all-pervasive; Italian examples demonstrate Catholicism remaining outside state control, while Nazi German policy was hampered by internal ministry infighting.
The core argument dismantles the concept of 'totalitarianism,' calling it a 'slogan' rather than a description of reality. AnarchoBolshevik argues the 'Everything in the State' claim belies the actual institutional limitations of these regimes. HumanBehaviorByBjork suggests foundational fascism definitions are obsolete, arguing functional fascist traits are now widespread. Tofu_Lewis notes the enemy concept is a mere rhetorical tool, and pepe_silvia96 points out the enemy must be an 'imaginary enemy' to unite groups.
The consensus points toward deconstructing the historical narrative. The weight of opinion suggests academic models like 'totalitarianism' are functionally inadequate. The major fault line exists between accepting the state's genuine power limits versus those arguing that all political deviations simply reflect mundane, low-level intrusions targeting perceived threats.
Key Points
Fascist regimes failed to achieve total control.
Scholarly evidence cites Fascist Italy (Catholicism remaining free) and Nazi Germany (ministry infighting) proving power gaps, as noted by AnarchoBolshevik.
The term 'totalitarianism' is flawed or useless.
Multiple users argue the term is overly vague, an insufficient descriptor, or merely an overused academic slogan.
Fascist ideology relies on creating a fluid, imaginary foe.
pepe_silvia96 explains the enemy definition is subject to change, used to force unity among disparate internal groups.
Recognizing neofascism means focusing on mundane intrusions, not grand theory.
AnarchoBolshevik suggests defeating modern fascism requires acknowledging persistent, low-level state encroachment rather than matching academic theories.
Fascism can be seen as pervasive in modern life.
HumanBehaviorByBjork posits that many supposed fascist tendencies are now so common they are no longer distinctive markers.
Source Discussions (6)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.