How Fascism Came" by Chris Hedges. Key Points.

Key Points: "How Fascism Came" by Chris Hedges

1. Warnings of Decline

Chris Hedges, along with intellectuals like Noam Chomsky and Sheldon Wolin, warned for decades about rising inequality, eroding democratic institutions, and the threat of authoritarianism in the U.S.

2. Roots of Fascism

Social and economic despair—marked by stagnant wages, deindustrialization, and the loss of community—fueled the rise of fascist tendencies.

Disillusionment and betrayal by the ruling class left many susceptible to demagogues promising quick fixes and miracles.

3. Trump as a Symptom, Not the Cause

Donald Trump signifies the collapse of democratic pretense, not the origin of fascism.

Decades of deindustrialization, deregulation, corporate power, and systemic inequality paved the way for authoritarianism.

4. Inverted Totalitarianism

Philosopher Sheldon Wolin’s concept: governance under corporate oligarchy masked by democratic symbolism. This has now shifted to overt authoritarianism under demagogues.

5. Two-Tiered Legal System

Ordinary citizens face harsh penalties for minor infractions, while corporations and the wealthy escape accountability for massive crimes.

6. Failure of Neoliberalism

Neoliberal capitalism concentrated wealth among elites, stripping labor rights and hollowing out democracy, despite promises of economic and democratic progress.

7. The Permanent Lie

Truth has become irrelevant in political discourse, replaced by ideologically driven narratives. Courts and institutions increasingly serve corporate and Christian fundamentalist ideologies.

8. Culture of Illusion and Self-Obsession

Society prioritizes superficial charm, wealth, and fame over morality and communal well-being. Politics mirrors the theatrical spectacle of professional wrestling.

9. Decline of Democratic Ideals

The middle class is eroding, poverty is chronic, and prisons are overcrowded. Cities once powered by industry are now wastelands.

10. The End of Democracy

Tools for repressing dissent are entrenched, leaving the population distracted by celebrity gossip and trivial entertainment amidst societal collapse.

11. Conclusion

The descent into fascism reflects moral and social decay. Hedges warns that a complete police state could be established with ease.

Source:

https://chrishedges.substack.com/

Comments

Overview of the threat to the banking industry, with examples from recent bank collapses and persistent future risks:

1. Increasing cyber-attacks targeting financial data: Cyber-attacks like the 2017 Equifax breach (a) expose sensitive financial data, leading to significant financial and reputational damage. 2. Rising competition from fintech and non-traditional financial institutions: Companies like PayPal and Square are disrupting traditional banking by offering innovative financial services. (b) 3. Regulatory changes impacting operations and profitability: The Dodd-Frank Act imposed stricter regulations on banks, affecting their operations and profitability. (c) 4. Economic downturns affecting loan repayment and default rates: The 2008 financial crisis saw a spike in loan defaults, leading to the collapse of major banks like Lehman Brothers. 5. Interest rate volatility impacting margins: Rising interest rates in 2023 led to significant losses in banks' securities portfolios, contributing to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank². 6. Technological disruptions in payment systems and banking te...

Zionism and Post-Holocaust Christian Theology: A Jewish Perspective. Mark Braverman

Introduction of Mark Braverman: Mark Braverman is a Jewish-American psychologist, theologian , and prominent voice in the interfaith justice movement for Palestine . Raised in a strong Zionist tradition , Braverman underwent a personal and moral transformation after witnessing the realities of the Israeli occupation . He is the Executive Director of Kairos USA , an organization that mobilizes American Christians to support Palestinian rights. Braverman focuses on the intersection of theology, justice, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His work critiques both Jewish and Christian theological frameworks that support Zionism and calls for a prophetic response rooted in human rights and reconciliation. His major works include Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land and numerous essays on interfaith theology and justice. Mark Braverman. Opening Note: In the wake of the Holocaust , Christian theology took a new direction — see...

When the Dogs Find the Corpses First 💔 Gaza, Bret Stephens, and the Theater of Western Conscience

🖋️ 🗓️ July 11, 2025 🔗 www.ainnbeen.blogspot.com When the United Nations humanitarian chief starts therapy because of what he saw in Gaza, we should all stop pretending this is just another war. Tom Fletcher has seen Darfur. He’s walked through the remains of Aleppo and traced death’s footprints in the Donbas . But Gaza? Gaza made him break . “The sound and smell of death . Dogs digging out human remains . A generation of children abandoned to trauma. I started therapy because I couldn’t carry it alone.” That’s what Fletcher said. That’s how bad it is. And yet, here we are — watching this genocide unfold in high definition, sponsored by billion-dollar defense deals and moral rationalizations from newspaper columnists who sip lattes in climate-controlled studios while entire cities are vaporized. Enter Bret Stephens of The New York Times, offering a carefully reasoned — though deeply contentious — defense of what many view as indefensible. “ Wh...

Intensive Interview with Yoav Gallant. Ynetnews. Key Points.

Former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant. Here are key points with further details based on the interview with Yoav Gallant: 1. Missed Opportunity to Attack Hezbollah (October 11) Gallant saw a strategic opportunity to strike Hezbollah and eliminate Hassan Nasrallah early in the war. His plan included detonating Hezbollah’s communications (pagers and walkie-talkies) and carrying out targeted assassinations. Political delays postponed any northern offensive for a full year, which Gallant considers a historic mistake. 2. Gallant’s Role in the War’s Early Hours Received a devastating 6:30 a.m. phone call from the IDF chief on October 7. Described the grim atmosphere in the Kirya command bunker, realizing the responsibility rested on his shoulders. Led the initial military response against Hamas and managed broader regional threats, including Iran's proxy groups. 3. Political Maneuvering and Internal G...

Netherlands Moves to Block UN Palestine Expert, Accused of Shielding Israel from Criticism.

The Dutch government's opposition to the renewal of Francesca Albanese's mandate as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories has drawn significant attention , particularly from human rights advocates and pro-Palestinian groups . Below is a detailed overview of the situation: 1. Background on Francesca Albanese and Her Role - Francesca Albanese is an Italian international lawyer and scholar appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine in 2022. - Her mandate involves monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories ( West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem). - She has been vocal about Israel’s violations of international law, including settlement expansions, collective punishment, and apartheid policies. - Her reports often highlight accountability gaps and call for international action against Israeli policies . 2. Dutch Government’s Opposition - The Netherlands , unde...

Ainnbeen

Search This Blog