Defeating Fascism

FASCISM is an autocratic form of government in which, in theory, all the various functions, institutions, and organs of democratic government exist, but are bundled together in the hands of a single leader. In Latin, the word "fasci" means, literally,  bundle, and is symbolized by a group of sticks with a string tied around them, holding them together. The leader retains power by retaining the devout loyalty of a populist base of support, by presenting himself as the champion of the common people, for whom the leader is the savior of the country, a country which, according to the leader is beset by intractable enemies, within the country and outside it. The leader presents and constantly reinforces a false narrative in which these enemies of the people, all imaginary,  are a constant threat, and motivates his cult following by so castigating the enemies and presenting himself as the only one who can defeat them and save the country. Donald Trump does this. His enemies include the media, the intelligence gathering community, among others.The leader holds rallies at which he give impassioned speeches,  telling outrageous lies which induce a frenzied supportive response from the cult. The leader brutally, systematically suppresses all opposition and attempts to introduce democratic challenges to his power, of often with the help of they loyal police or military. Fascism arguably was invented by Julius Caesar, who used h is military glory to concentrate the power of the Roman Senate, the consuls, and the tribunes into his own hands, with the active support of Roman political leaders and the general population of Rome, just as modern fascist leaders, like Hitler and Mussolini rose to power by subverting existing democratic institutions with popular support.Donald Trump has hollowed out the state department, and ignores his advisors, effectively taking over their roles. Donald Trump and his millions of supporters are the closest the United States has ever come to having a fascist movement, being nearly indistinguishable from one. Trump and his supporters are pathetically dishonest; Trump tells the big lies, his supporters accept them without question. Because of their sheer number, and because of Trump's willingness to do anything to gain support, the Trump movement is deadly dangerous. Alarmingly, it appears that they are not going to simply go away. Trump's refusal to admit defeat in the election, his false claim that the election was stolen, and the incredible conspiracy claims of electoral fraud being circulated by his angry followers amount to an attempt to steal the election, to an attempted coup. The American people have evidently delivered themselves from Trump and fascism through an election,but the threat is not entirely gone. Trump will remain in the public eye, and will likely attempt to return to power,  It is frightening to imagine what he and his followers and enablers might have done to the country had he been elected to a second term. fortunately, we will never have to find out.