by vharuck | 2026-03-02 21:12:34+00:00
>Based on my experience (especially on pre-Musk Twitter, but in other places as well), 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 14 apply fairly well.

I'd like to hear your rationale for that. In the meantime, I'll add my comments on those points. But first, let me set a ground rule for myself: this review covers the political left in the United States. A circle of thinkers with no sway over the government isn't considered for whether the left matches the qualities of a fascist government. If that circle does have sway, then sure.

>1. cult of tradition

I cannot think of a tradition the left holds in nearly religious sanctity. This might be a "fish can't see the water" thing, so I'd be happy to learn one.

>3. cult of action for its own sake (i.e., intellectual reflection doesn't contribute value)

You didn't list this one, but I will. The left is prone to subgroups fracturing off and calling for extreme reactions (e.g. "defund the police"), and then not strongly quashing these dumb ideas. I think it's a bias to being inclusive and not wanting to deny anything that comes from an oppressed person. Noble intent, but doesn't always lead down the best path.

>4. disagreement is treason

I think you're conflating "cancel culture" with accusations of treason. Trump has literally accused people disagreeing with him of treason ("Air strikes on drug smugglers is illegal, and you should refuse to do so"). Has a modern Democratic official accused somebody of being treasonous for disagreeing on a political matter?

>5. fear of difference

If anything, the left defaults to celebrating difference. And no, "fear of MAGA" is not enough to qualify as fear of difference.

>6. appeal to frustrated middle class

Yes. Everyone does that these days, but yes. It almost seems like a pointless quality to isolate, because any political party would appeal to middle class frustrations. Maybe the better way is to offer hope. In that case, both parties could do a lot better.

>7. obsession with a plot (e.g., "there is a plot by foreigners to destroy us from within)

The left is sliding down this path with fears about the midterm elections. To be fair, after the 2020 election, Trump did spread lies, prepared slates of fake electors, got Republican representatives to vote against counting voters from certain states, and instigated what ended up being a violent assault on the electoral certification. So it's not as crazy as "Democrats are busing in illegals to vote."

>8. cast their enemies as both too weak and too strong

Democratic officials have called this administration dumb, selfish, and cruel. But not weak.

>9. life is permanent warfare (i.e., there is always an enemy to fight)

After the assassination of Osama bin Laden, who was the enemy during the Obama years? That administration even had the laughable "reset" with Russia.

>11. everyone is educated to become a hero

I can't think of much evidence for or against this. Maybe it's just an American thing to lavish praise on "common people* doing amazing things. Neither party truly praises a humble life, despite mentioning it to cloak bad economic policy in "salt of the earth" rags.

>13. selective populism

I'll have to read the original work to see what this term means.

>14. newspeak

I genuinely would like to know some leftist newspeak. Again, fish and water.