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

🕯️ The Day Tel Aviv Trembled: Iran’s Missiles and the Crumbling Illusion of Invincibility

By ainnbeen.blogspot.com For decades, Israel projected an image of invulnerability— a fortress powered by American billions , state-of-the-art missile defenses, and a myth of unmatched military precision. But in a chilling shift, that illusion is cracking. As Iranian missiles rained down on Tel Aviv, not through proxies but directly from Tehran, the world witnessed what was once unthinkable: the heart of Israel under direct attack, air-raid sirens wailing , embassies shuttered , and diplomats fleeing. This isn’t just a military development —it’s a political earthquake . And it exposes deep fractures in Israel’s defense doctrine, regional strategy, and perhaps most importantly —its belief that it could strike without consequence. 🔥 1. Iranian Missiles Hit Tel Aviv: The Strike That Shattered Complacency In what appears to be retaliation for Israel’s continuous sabotage campaigns — nuclear facility strikes , assassinations of IRGC commanders — Iran unleashed a salvo...

🇮🇱🎭 When Israel Speaks, America obeys: From Truman’s Nod to Trump’s Prayer Rug 🇺🇸🛐

By Ainnbeen.blogspot.com Welcome to the Middle East’s longest-running tragicomedy: " The Chosen Puppet Show." From 1948 to 2025 , it’s been a masterclass in manipulation. But don’t take my word for it—just ask Israel’s most recent “ambassador” to Washington, Mike Huckabee , who now speaks not just for Israel, but apparently for God Himself. Yes, you read that right. In a message that sounds more like a Sunday sermon than a diplomatic dispatch, Huckabee called Trump “ the most consequential president in a century – maybe ever.” And why? Because he’s listening to “the voice of God”...on Israel policy . Oh, we’re doing this again. Because when Israel wants billions in weapons, moral cover for war crimes, or a fresh round of sanctions against whichever Muslim country is next on the hit list—there’s always a “divinely inspired” American president standing by. Let’s rewind a bit. 🎬 Scene One: The Truman Trick In 1948, President Harry Truman recognized Israel eleven...

🛡️ Israel's Air-Defense Under Pressure: A Rising Iranian Hypersonic Threat

🛡️ Israel’s Iron Dome May Hold—But for How Long? As Iran expands its missile arsenal with supersonic and hypersonic capabilities, Israel’s once-famed air defense now faces a triple crisis: strategic, economic, and societal . While the world watches air battles unfold in the skies, the deeper vulnerabilities lie beneath—in the nation's fatigued population, overstretched military, and fragile economic base. 🚨 Strategic Threat: The Iranian Hypersonic Surge Iran reportedly maintains over 3,000 ballistic missiles , including: Fattah-1 & Fattah-2 : Hypersonic glide vehicles (Mach 13–15+). Khorramshahr-4 & Qassem Bassir : With maneuverable warheads and terminal speeds that can overwhelm Israel’s Arrow and David’s Sling systems. Thousands of SRBMs (Zolfaghar, Qiam, Fateh variants) capable of saturating Iron Dome through sheer volume. While Israel’s Iron Dome remains highly effective against traditional threats (85–90% interception rate), hypersonic missiles introd...

🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran’s Missile Strikes on U.S. Bases | June 23, 2025 Operation Tidings of Victory

📍 What Happened On the evening of June 23 , around 8:00 p.m. local time (17:00 UTC) , Iran launched a coordinated missile attack on multiple U.S. military sites: Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar : ~10 missiles launched. Explosions were heard over Doha. Qatar’s air defense systems intercepted several. U.S. outposts in Iraq : Specific bases were hit; names have not been officially disclosed. Mentions of the U.S. Consulate in Erbil and sites in Kuwait : Reports are unconfirmed regarding direct hits in Kuwait. 📉 Damage & Casualties No confirmed U.S. fatalities or serious injuries reported. Damage appears limited to infrastructure: some runways, radar systems, tents, and non-critical equipment were affected. Qatar successfully intercepted multiple missiles. No civilian injuries have been reported in Doha. In Iraq and Kuwait , initial assessments indicate no significant troop harm . 📌 Background & Context The attack is seen as a retaliatory strike by Iran for...

🇮🇱 From Iron Dome to Iron Walls: The Israeli Exodus Nobody Wants to Talk About

So, who’s left in Israel? The streets of Tel Aviv echo not with music, but with the low hum of anxiety. Airports aren’t gateways to vacation anymore—they're lifeboats. Flight boards have become emotional barometers, each cancellation another reminder that “the most powerful military in the Middle East” can’t guarantee what every child needs to sleep at night: safety. Let’s call it what it is— a nation in psychological retreat . More than half a million Israelis packed their bags during the Gaza war. Not for business. Not for pleasure. Just... gone. Vanished into foreign time zones while their homeland burned in moral, political, and literal fire. Another 82,000 followed in 2024. That’s not emigration. That’s evacuation—with a side of therapy bills. And now? With Iran turning up the heat and skies darkened by more than just missiles, the silence is deafening. Bomb shelters double as nurseries. Children draw their dreams on concrete walls. And adults—adults are Googling “how to ...

Ainnbeen

Search This Blog