Greg Abbott And The Far-Right Ideology Of Fascism
How State Power is used to suppress voices in Texas, and the alarming rise of fascist practices under Governor Abbott.
Last week, Governor Greg Abbott sent state troopers to UT Austin to brutalize and mass arrest peacefully protesting students, violating their First Amendment rights. Since then, I have highlighted Abbott’s behavior as fascism. And it is fascism for several reasons.
One of the hallmark characteristics of fascism is the suppression of opposition or suppression of dissent through the use of force. Abbott sent DPS to UT Austin to brutalize and disrupt a protest because he disagreed with the ideology.
Fascism strips away freedoms, like freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Abbott intended to remove the protestors’ rights of speech and assembly.
Using DPS, which are state troopers, to inflict Abbott’s political goals on the students shows us how Abbott uses a state apparatus to suppress opposition.
The Governor’s decision to employ DPS shows that state power in Texas is concentrated on Abbott, and he feels empowered to use that power, regardless of any legal or ethical matters.
See it. Name it. Fight it.
An organization run by two extraordinary Texans, Chris and Mendi Tackett, is working feverishly to help Texans understand and fight back against the ideology attempting to control all levers of power in Texas. The organization’s name is See It. Name It. Fight It. They share news and reading resources, a scorecard for House members in the last legislative session, and how legislators voted on key issues.
They're a good read if you aren’t already following them on Substack. Chris frequently analyzes the millions of dollars flooding Texas politics each year.
This idea of, See it. Name it. Fight it., is important for what we’re seeing in today’s political landscape. Here’s why:
“See it.” The first step in any form of resistance is awareness.
“Name it.” Naming is a powerful tool for creating a shared language for mobilization.
“Fight it.” The final step involves concrete actions to oppose the identified issues.
You would imagine my surprise when referring to Abbott’s actions as fascist, the amount of Republicans in my comments arguing with me about what fascism is. They called me “stupid” and said “fascism was a left-wing ideology.” Some even providing dictionary entries to prove their point:
“See,” they would say. “It doesn’t say ‘right-wing’ anywhere.”
That’s what led to this Twitter post:
Of course, “How did we get here?” was meant to start a conversation. I know how we got here, and all roads lead back to Ronald Reagan.
Regardless, at least 10% of those 420 responses (maybe more) were Conservatives, again calling me “stupid” and explaining to me how “fascism was a left-wing ideology.” Even more disappointing were the supposed Democrats and Independents both-sidesing it. “Both sides can be fascists.”
Obviously, they are confused about the differences between fascism and authoritarianism and how the left can have and harbor views of authoritarianism. Left-wing authoritarianism focuses on revolutionary or radical change to establish a classless society, sometimes leading to authoritarian governance. This can manifest in forms like Stalinism or Maoism, which, while deeply authoritarian, are distinct from fascism.
Right-wing authoritarianism aligns with the preservation or restoration of traditional hierarchies and values, often through the lens of nationalism or racial purity. Fascism fits into this category.
While both the left and the right can exhibit authoritarian tendencies, fascism, as traditionally defined, is a specifically right-wing ideology because of its foundational elements. Left-wing authoritarian regimes, while they may share certain operational similarities with fascist regimes (like suppression of dissent and centralized control), are ideologically and foundationally different from fascism. Both fascism and authoritarianism are bad.
Most of the respondents to my post did not disagree with me. They pointed to various aspects of why we’re here, like ending the fairness doctrine, the Republicans’ 40-year attack on education, Trump, and even a few said Reagan.
The problem is that a large chunk of our society believes fascism, a terrible idea, is somehow associated with the left. Ironically, the side that says fascism is a left-wing ideology is the same side that is actually practicing fascism. It’s imperative that we all see and call out this misinformation—an idea I’m sure they learned from PragerU.
The origins of fascism.
Benito Mussolini is widely recognized as the founder of fascism. He established the fascist ideology and the first fascist movement in Italy after World War I. Mussolini formed the Fascist Party in 1919 and used this platform to promote his ideas of nationalism, authoritarian governance, and the state’s central role in all aspects of life. Mussolini’s doctrines and government structure became a model for other Fascist movements worldwide.
Mussolini published his doctrine in a 1932 article called The Doctrine of Fascism. You can read the entire translated document here.
Mussolini criticizes democracy and liberalism for promoting political and “economic egalitarianism.” Economic egalitarianism can be pursued through various policies, such as progressive taxation, social welfare programs, universal healthcare, and education systems aimed at leveling the playing field.
Of course, this is what Greg Abbott and other Republicans refer to as “socialist, communist, fascist, Democrat ideas.” Economic egalitarianism can function in a capitalist system, but billionaires don’t like it very much.
With Mussolini’s fascism, the state is seen as absolute, and everything within a nation, including individuals and groups, is relative to the state. In Texas, for years, we’ve watched Republicans show complete contempt for the Democratic process, consolidating power, as they did with Houston ISD, or removing all of the governmental checks and balances. For example, activists have been calling for an audit of Operation Lone Star for years, and we still don’t know what Abbott spent the $13 billion on.
In Mussolini’s Doctrine of Fascism, he discusses the importance of culture and education in fascist thought. How many times have you heard Abbott talk about “woke culture” or “irradicating wokeness from education?”
In simple terms:
“Wasn’t Mussolini a socialist?” - Republicans.
Mussolini started his political career as a socialist and was initially active in the Italian Socialist Party. However, he broke away from the party and later founded the fascist movement in Italy.
His policies eventually turned towards authoritarianism and nationalism, away from socialism’s emphasis on class struggle and equality. Mussolini’s regime, known as fascism, emphasized totalitarian control, nationalism, and anti-communism, which were the complete opposite of his earlier socialist ideology.
“But the Nazis were fascist socialists.” - Republicans.
The claim that the Nazis were socialists because they called themselves the National Socialist German Workers’ Party is a stupid misconception and not supported by their actions and policies once in power. Using “socialist” in their name was more a strategic attempt to attract working-class support rather than a reflection of genuine socialist principles. Because, much like the anti-intellectualism we see today, Nazi supporters didn’t understand words.
Historians widely agree that the Nazis were fascists and not socialists. They were anti-socialist and anti-communist, associating these movements with Jews, whom they blamed for many of Germany’s problems. The Nazi regime actively suppressed and eliminated socialist and communist groups, including arresting and imprisoning members of these parties.
In general, Republicans seem not to understand what fascism, authoritarianism, socialism, communism, or Marxism is, but they throw many of those words around freely and out of context.
Considering the deep ideological divides today, what practical ways can we come together to address misunderstandings and misinformation?
This constant flow of misinformation is coming from the highest levels; politicians like Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton spread some of the most misinformation in Texas, and they always have. Republican voters eat it up.
By the very definition, Governor Abbott has embraced fascism, and I’m not the first person to say so:
Newsweek: Greg Abbott Under Fire Over Police Response to Protesters
Joshua P. Hill: Texas and fascist governors are defying the federal government
Houston Public Media: ‘Unconstitutional And Fascist’ — Advocates Respond To Gov. Abbott’s Order Restricting Migrant Transport
AP News: NOT REAL NEWS: Texas governor shared false Churchill quote on fascism
So, our government is being run by fascists. The question now is, what are you going to do about it?
This is the year to volunteer with your local Democrats running for the state legislature, get involved if you aren’t already, sign up to become a precinct chair, volunteer with your local grassroots organizations, donate if you can, and talk to your friends and loved ones about voting.
The numbers are on our side. We can fix Texas, but it will take all of us. Vote early, vote often, just vote.
Important 2024 primary RUNOFF election days:
April 29, 2024: Last day to register to vote.
May 17, 2024: Last day to apply by mail
May 20, 2024: First day of early voting.
May 24, 2024: Last day of early voting.
May 28, 2024: Last day to receive a ballot by mail.
May 28, 2024: Election day.
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Abbott and crew in Texas have been telegraphing their "utopia" for decades. The key point is not only what are we going to do about it, but also what's the guiding vision for Democracy in Texas and the rest of America. It's necessary to oppose the fascists, but to prevail, I believe we must also articulate and establish a picture of America that is democratic, inclusive, and works for all of us, not just the plutocrats and the fascists.
from they eat their own dept: "The right wing media’s campaign to sabotage the Covid-19 vaccine rollout was deadly effective. According to the Kaiser Foundation, 92% of Democrats were vaccinated, 68% of Independents, and 56% of Republicans.
As a consequence of the GOP’s sabotage campaign, a disproportionate number of Republican voters were killed by Covid-19. -DK