Was Saddam a fascist? Is W?

[BlueEyedSon]

So, let’s recap. Fascism:



Is an economic system geared to the needs, not of the people, but of the wealthy elite.

It is a republican form of government

It features extreme forms of nationalism.

While Nazism is a form of fascism, fascism is not Nazism.

Fascism creates "enemies of the fatherland" in order to gain public support. These "enemies" usually include liberals, socialists, trade unionists, and conspicuous minority groups.

Fascism is not conservative, although it often claims to be traditional.

Fascism will replace a free press with propaganda.



So what does this tell us about Saddam Hussein’s regime?

Not much, really, because we don’t really know that much about the inner workings of his government.

But examination of fascism does tell us something important.

It fits the current regime in Washington to a "T".

http://www.zeppscommentaries.com/Politics/fascism.htm

[DBoon]

1. was the Baath party historically connected to the Nazis

Did they consciously emulate Nazi tactics or policies?

Of course, we have to ask the same question about the US Republicans. This link is to a book that seems to think so:

http://www.bartcop.com/nazigop.htm

and

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0896084183/102-4698283-5847355?v=glance

(yeah I know I should use B&N...)

The surest evidence that a contemporary political movement if fascist is their overt emulation of past fascist movements.

[Xithras]

5. The Baath party was the Iraqi Socialist Party

For all practical purposes, Saddam was the middle-easts version of Fidel Castro. He adhered to many socialist principles, but ruled the nation with an iron fish and could be extremely brutal with those he percieved as "threats".

The Baath party actually exists in most ME countries, and their purported goal is to unite the Arab nations into one country (or an EU like alliance) operating on socialistic principles. Since the Baath party is banned in Iraq today, Syria is the only ME nation where the Baath's hold any sizeable amount of power.

[AP]

2. OBL, SH and Bush are all similar: concentrated wealth and power

is what they're all about.

[RhodaGrits]

3. Tyrants and their inner circle who seek power wrap

themselves in the garb of whatever political cause they believe will unite the people behind them. Then when power is held closely in their hands and the people are not needed to lift them to governance, they are free to trample on the rights of the populace with all the might of that government behind them.

Fascism is an easy one because it supports the power of corporations and the wealthy - but tyrants have also wrapped themselves in communism, socialism, secularism, many religions and the flag of American Liberty. Whatever it takes to get them to into office or crown.

Propaganda works better than an army but also better with one at its side.

[judy]

4. More info about fascism:

The 14 defining characteristics of fascism:

http://www.rense.com/general37/fascism.htm

Smirkolini admin fits them all indeed!
Note number 14: Fraudulent elections...