Checklist for a Fascist State

In light of this article on imprisonment without trial or charge for months. I went looking for a Fascist state checklist. How does our government score?

Continuing nationalism, such as flying the national flag everywhere and taking pride in the national identity.


Ignoring "Human Rights" ethics.


Martialling the electorate by identifying "enemies" and scapegoating sections or particular groups.

Influence of the military - measured by how much is spent on defence against how much is spent on "social" programmes.


Media control, whether by "direct" control or with control in the hands of "sympathisers".

National security having a high profile in policy.


Government is overtly religiously linked to a particular faith.


Protection of Corporate Interests.


Overt sexism, measured as "masculine supremacy" and "oppression of women".


Trade Union activity is restricted or controlled.


Denigration of Intelligentsia and or/ restriction or control of higher education.


Emphasis on Crime and Punishment, measured as how harshly the criminal is punished and how much effort goes to "reforming" the criminal.


Corruption and cronyism, again looking at who gets what job, is connected to who and how the appointment is made.


Fraudulent elections - measured by the level of smear campaigning against opposition members and parties, dirty tricks and ballot box rigging to name but a few "tricks".

Score - 8/14

Like a teenager attempting to grow one, stubble but not quite a bushy moustache.

BNP Protesters Egg Nick Griffin

Making the BNP martyrs like this is not helpful. Moral high ground is lost by suppressing free speech and physically attacking Griffin. Free speech is a right, you can't pick and choose who gets rights based on personal preference. As unsavoury as what he says is, as much as I loathe what he stands for, let people see him for what he is, challenge him and his policies. All of which can be done without violent means.

The BNP were democratically elected, their support will evaporate if why people voted for them was addressed. Herbert Morrison in a speech at an anti-fascist meeting in 1936, said that:

Fascism appeared to triumph in circumstances of economic decay and dissolution on the one hand and weakness in parliamentary and democratic leadership on the other. When chaos and depression obtained in economic and political affairs Fascism got its maximum chance, not upon its merits, but as a last straw for people who could see no hope otherwise.

Wise man, shame about his grandson.