The 12 warning signs of fascism according to Umberto Eco

Politics has always been an integrated element in human life, both in what affects us collectively and in what has to do with our individuality. However, some social phenomena leave more of a mark than others, and in some cases, for the worse.

Over the past decades, many social psychologists, sociologists, and thinkers have looked back to recognize which ones have historically been the first symptoms of the appearance (or reappearance) of exclusive ideological movements based on the criminalization of minorities.

Among these efforts to understand these dynamics are the warning signs of the emergence of fascism proposed by the philosopher and writer Umberto Eco.

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What is fascism?

Technically, fascism is a political movement and an ideology associated with it that are based on the defense of a policy based on the "essential" identity of the population, the use of violence to suppress political opposition and the use of a state-run economy that, in turn, favors large companies due to their corporatism.

At first the term fascism was used to call the political drift promoted by Benito Mussolini in the first half of the 20th century, but it can also name other recent and similar political proposals to the original. Specifically, the resurgence of political parties that use openly xenophobic speeches has made comparisons with the old regime of the Italian leader become frequent.

In this sense, looking at the fascism warning signs devised by Umberto Eco can be useful to know how to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Signs that this ideology resurfaces

For the writer, the symptoms that fascism is gaining ground in state or regional politics are as follows.

1. Use of the fear of what is different

The stigmatization of minorities that don't exactly fit the "average citizen" archetype or living through different forms of cultural expression is common in fascist regimes. This makes it possible to reinforce the idea of ​​national identity, which can be used to claim any political objective.

2. Control and repression of sexuality

The control of sexuality, especially of the feminine one, is a propaganda system thanks to which the political project is considered even in the most intimate and domestic moments. On the other hand, it also allows minorities to be repressed, either on the basis of their sexual orientation or by the way in which the suxual and affective is conceived.

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3. Systematic opposition to the slightest criticism

The total rejection of criticism allows you to make and undo any kind of initiatives without having to explain or be accountable to anyone.

4. Valuation of force and action above the intellect

Distrust towards the intellectual it causes the critical thinking of the country to be mortally wounded. Reason is seen as a way to cover up interests based on reason and therefore a waste of time.

5. Constant appeal to a threat that doesn't go away

Be all the time appealing to an eternal threat allows the introduction of the state of exception, thanks to which the political party can breach current legislation "for the good of the people." The cases of state terrorism are a clear example of this.

6. Use of topic-based and simple vocabulary speeches

The use of words with a very broad meaning makes it possible to produce speeches that, Although they seem very clear, they do not contact reality. Usually the only message that is given has to do with the most impactful ideas, such as who has the guilt of something or the attitude that the party is going to have towards a fact, but it does not materialize too much.

7. Ridicule of the innovative or novel

TEverything that is separated from the traditional way of seeing the world is rejected and ridiculed as if it were a distraction, a lie or a trivial hobby.

8. Emphasis on the importance of tradition and national identity

Constantly appealing to the identity of a people and to tradition is an easy way to vindicate as the "natural" mirror of the voice of that group. No need to propose policies that benefit the majority, symbols, icons and customs are simply used as propaganda pieces.

9. Constant appeal to a disgruntled social class

This is not a characteristic that in itself defines fascism, since it is done from many political tendencies. However, fascism claims to be the sole voice of that part of the population, as if plurality did not exist in it.

10. Use of a charismatic leader who represents the people

The leader is the reflection of the people, and as such he speaks in their language and tries to express the same concerns as the stereotype of the part of the population to which he appeals. Your personal decisions and his tastes and preferences are made as a public matter., since it is the embodiment of the popular will.

11. Constant search for external culprits

Blaming everything on those who are outside the propaganda system and cannot defend themselves allows shift attention to party failures or, if they are revealed, they show up as mistakes made in the fight against a greater evil.

12. Constant appeal to the will of the people

It tries to appropriate popular demands making them go institutional and there they dissolve and become confused with the political objectives of the leaders of the fascist movement.