What would a perfect fascist look like? Here are some ideas:
- He would be a man, of course. Fascism is a manifestation of toxic masculinity.
- He grew up in a family that was declining in its economic and social status. They blamed both the people above and below them for their plight.
- He has a deep sense of grievance about his lack of social status. His anger about it fuels him every step of the way.
- He served in the military during a war that his country lost. He never got over it. He blames outsiders and their domestic accomplices for his country’s decline.
- He is a very effective speaker, not in an inspiring way, but in his ability to voice the anger and fear he shares with his supporters.
- His family was religious, and he makes a big display of observing the forms of traditional religion, but he really only believes in power. For him, religion and traditional values are just an essential mechanism for protecting the wealthy and socially powerful from unwanted change from below and from outside.
- He is good at dividing and deceiving his enemies. For him, truth is just the servant of power. He lies and changes positions on a dime where necessary to advance his interests.
- He is single-minded and completely ruthless in dealing with his opponents.
Draw your own conclusions.