Posted on 10/03/2018 5:28:09 AM PDT by reaganaut1
In a recent essay published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley is haunted by a spectre—the spectre of American universities aiding the rise of fascism. (The essay, “Fascism and the University” is subscriber-only content, unfortunately.) He says that “patterns have emerged that suggest the resurgence of fascist politics globally” and lists the United States as among the countries where he sees that occurring. Moreover, he argues that our higher education system could become complicit in the advance of fascism.
What does Stanley mean by “fascism?” He defines it as “any ultranationalism—ethnic, religious, or cultural—in which the nation is represented by an authoritarian leader who claims to speak for the people.” He fears fascist politics pave the way for nationalists to achieve power and regards them as dangerous even if they don’t lead to an explicitly fascist state.
Focusing on higher education, Stanley says that it has “historically been a bulwark against authoritarianism” but worries that “this time” (meaning the U.S. under Trump), it will instead be “its pawn.” That sounds like a troubling prospect. Ultranationalist fascism creates an overpowering, omnipotent state that serves the interests of a few at the expense of the rest of society; it leads to oppression and conflict.
Before going any further, we at the Martin Center oppose authoritarianism in all its forms. We do not want to see right-wing ultranationalism triumph; nor do we want to see left-wing internationalism (Marxism) triumph. Nor do we want the authoritarianism of the administrative state that Alexis de Tocqueville warned about in Democracy in America. Stanley’s feared fascism is just one of an array of threats to freedom and civil society we face.
Surveying the nation and its higher education system, which of those threats are serious?
(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...
We just can’t call a communist a communist anymore.
Although his definition of fascism is quite off the mark, he is correct in that the US university system is complicit in the rise of fascism. It is being displayed round the clock by the professors and students who participate in their anti-America, anti-Trump antics.
That is the definition of Facism.
Adolph Hitler’s first stop upon becoming Chancellor was to meet with monopoly capitalists with assurance of squelching strikes. Their contemporary equivalents, the Orwellian Socials, Google, Facebook, Twitter. Fascism is the political manifestation of monopoly capitalism.
Then stop encouraging Antifa. Shut down their meetings. Expel them from university. Dismiss their faculty supporters. Ban then from Twitter.
What you call "right-wing ultranationalism" is the only force powerful enough to deal with the new Red Fighting Front. Democratic politics and courts of law are powerless before it.
If you give us Weimar problems, there are bound to be Weimar solutions.
No, it is not the “definition of fascism”.
We need students to hear mandatory debates — fair, no moderator — for the next thirty years or so.
Even if it takes a constitutional amendment.
We genuinely “get it” here at FR. Fascism is the absolute control by dint of law of one group by another.
Advocating for an unpopular policy is a matter of free speech and must not be restricted. The left insists on controlling speech. The right does not.
What I hate about this article is that the guy just assumes that the Libtard in question is actually sincere about not wanting fascism creeping onto universities when what he is really about is only wanting his flavor of totalitarianism running all of our lives.
Nothing wrong with "a leader who speaks for the people. That's what a representative does.
bump
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.