Echoes and Shadows: A Verse on Ultra Fascism (04/05/'24) -Passage

Echoes and Shadows: A Verse on Ultra Fascism In traditional analyses, fascism itself is often seen as a reactionary ideology that emerges in times of social, economic, or political crisis, aiming to unify and mobilize society under a totalitarian state that suppresses opposition and heavily controls the economy and social life. It's characterized by strong nationalism, disdain for democracy, the elevation of state and national power over individual rights, and often a glorification of war and the military. Influence on Capitalism and Class Structure Fascism's relationship with capitalism and class structures is complex. Historically, fascist movements have both co-opted and clashed with capitalist interests and classes: Co-option of Capitalists: Fascist regimes have sometimes aligned with big capitalists or the business elite to gain power. This alignment is often pragmatic—fascist leaders have sought the support of powerful economic actors to stabilize their rule, mobilize resources, and implement their economic policies. In Italy under Mussolini and Germany under Hitler, for instance, there were initial accommodations and partnerships with industrialists and big capitalists to rebuild the economy and promote industrial growth, albeit under state direction and oversight. Centrality of State Control: Despite these accommodations, fascist ideologies typically place the state's interests above those of individual capitalists or capitalist class interests. This can lead to a complex relationship where the state asserts control over the economy through regulations, directives, and sometimes outright nationalization or expropriation of industries deemed vital to national interests. This centralization and state control can conflict with free-market principles and the interests of capitalists who favor less regulation and government interference. Class Structure and Fascism: Fascist movements have often sought to transcend traditional class divisions by promoting a unified national or racial identity. However, in practice, these movements have not eradicated class distinctions but have instead often reinforced existing power structures, with elite classes finding new ways to maintain their status and wealth under fascist regimes. If discussing "Ultra Fascism" as an intensified form of fascism with a tendency toward statism, it's plausible to theorize that such a movement could push for even greater state control over the economy and potentially deeper alliances or conflicts with big capitalists, depending on how it views their role in achieving the movement's goals. The "center" of such a movement could indeed involve big capitalists if they are seen as instrumental in building a strong, unified state. However, this would likely be a contentious and dynamic relationship, with the state seeking to dominate and direct economic activities to serve its interests and ideological goals. It's important to note that any discussion of "Ultra Fascism" is speculative without a clear definition or historical example of such a movement. The influence on capitalism and class structures would heavily depend on the specific policies, ideologies, and contexts of the movement in question. Pastor Steven G. Lee (April 5, 2024)