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 few decades, many social psychologists, sociologists and thinkers have looked back at what, historically, have been the first symptoms of the emergence (or reappearance) of exclusionary 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 .

What is fascism?

Technically, fascism is a political movement and an ideology associated with it that is based on the defense of a policy based on the “essential” identity of the population, the use of violence to repress 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 be used to refer to other recent political proposals similar to the original one. In particular, the resurgence of political parties that use openly xenophobic discourses has made comparisons with the old regime of the Italian leader frequent.

In this sense, looking at the warning signs of fascism devised by Umberto Eco can be useful in knowing how to separate the grain from the chaff.

Signs that this ideology is resurfacing

For the writer, the symptoms of fascism gaining ground in state or regional politics are the following.

1. Use of fear of difference

The stigmatization of minorities who do not exactly fit the archetype of the “average citizen” or who live through different forms of cultural expression is frequent in fascist regimes. This reinforces the idea of national identity, which can serve to vindicate any political objective.

2. Control and repression of sexuality

The control of sexuality, especially that of women, is a propaganda system thanks to which the political project is thought of even in the most intimate and domestic moments . On the other hand, it also allows for the repression of minorities, either on the basis of their sexual orientation or because of the way in which the suxual and affective are conceived.

3. Systematic opposition to the slightest criticism

The total rejection of criticism makes it possible to do and undo any kind of initiative without having to give explanations or be accountable to anyone .

4. Valuation of strength and action over the intellect

The distrust towards the intellectual 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 is therefore a waste of time.

5. Constant appeal to a threat that does not go away

Being all the time appealing to an eternal threat allows the introduction of the state of emergency , thanks to which the political party can break the current legality “for the good of the people”. Cases of state terrorism are a clear example of this.

6. Use of simple, topic-based speech

The use of words with a very wide meaning allows the production of discourses that, although they seem very clear, do not contact with reality . Normally, the only message given has to do with the most shocking ideas, such as who is to blame for something or the attitude that the party is going to have in front of a fact, but it is not very specific.

7. Ridiculing the innovative or novel

T othing 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 banal pastime.

Emphasis on the importance of tradition and national identity

Constantly appealing to a people’s identity and tradition is an easy way to claim to be the “natural” mirror of that group’s voice. There is no need to propose policies that benefit the majority , simply use the symbols, icons and customs as pieces of propaganda.

9. Constant call to a discontented social class

This is not a characteristic that defines fascism per se, as it is done from many political tendencies. However, fascism claims to be the only voice of that part of the population , as if plurality did not exist there.

10. Using 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 he appeals to. His personal decisions and his tastes and preferences are taken as a public matter , since he 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 to shift the attention on the failures of the party or, if they are revealed, they are shown as mistakes given in the fight against a greater evil.

12. Constant appeal to the will of the people

They try to appropriate the popular demands by making them go to the institutional and there dissolve and confuse them with the political objectives of the leaders of the fascist movement.