Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 19:06:46 -0500
To: marxism-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
From: godenas-AT-edgenet.net (Louis R. Godena)
Subject: Re: US facism & LPA


>The ultrareactionary imperialist bourgeoisie are interested in creating 
>multiple idealisms.  They are interested in creating a plurality of 
>anti-Communist ideas.  Many of these forums of "free" expression fulfill 
>this function.  For instance, philanthropic organizations, foundations, 
>via their sponsorship of numerous and various groups and associations, 
>that is, via their sponsorship of ideological chaos, mask economic terrorism.
>
>This is another way of saying that fascism comes in many forms.
>
>
>Shawgi Tell
>University at Buffalo
>Graduate School of Education
>V600A8E6-AT-UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU

Well said, Shawgi.  Certainly the presence of "democratic" or "pluralistic" 
institutions in the west does not determine the degree to which democracy is 
present; "democratic" institutions existed even in Hitler's Germany.  The 
fact that England has a Queen does not, in fact, make Great Britain a 
monarchy.  It is the class purpose which these institutions serve that is 
the key.

I agree that American fascism, full-blown, would most certainly differ from 
Nazism or the Italian variant (which Lenin thought was THE classical model 
for western fascism).  I do not, for example, see it as being overtly 
anti-semitic; Israel is an important strategic outpost for those very forces 
likely to give rise to a fascist movement or ideology.  


Nor does it need the crude nationalism of the twenties and thirties.  Such 
an extreme xenophobia would most likely be a hindrance in a globalized 
fascist economy.  There is something anachronistic about Buchanan's call for 
"re-industrializing" the upper midwest, as well as his chanpioning of Father 
Coughlin-style racial stereotyping.  He is not a fascist, but an expositor 
of old time catholic anti-communist populism, the kind you used to get in 
the AF of L.   His positions on gun control and "fair trade" are certainly 
better than Clintons.  At any rate, let us give the devil his due.

I have missed your presence on the list.  The Erudites have taken over while 
we were gone.  In some ways, I almost miss Trotsky.  He borrowed heavily 
>from others and was wrong most of the time, but he always was provocative 
and perversely entertaining.  His disciples repeat the nonsense but fail to 
make it attractive.

                                        Louis Godena



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