• NoneOfUrBusiness
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    17 hours ago

    All of them have consolidated power and forced out opposition groups at gunpoint. MBS straight up dismembered several of his rivals with bone saws, ffs.

    That’s authoritarianism, not necessarily fascism. Fascism is a subset of rightwing authoritarianism characterized by, among other things, the authoritarian leader enacting escalating persecution of an increasing number of people to back up their fascist rhetoric.

    Hell, if I was going to point to anyone as a clear front-runner in fascist takeover, I’d be more inclined to point to Vladimir Putin of Russia.

    That’s fair, but I wouldn’t describe Putin as fully fascist. He’s more of a proto-fascist rightwing authoritarian, though his conduct in Ukraine is certainly cutting it close. What make me hesitant to call him a fascist is that, after he completed his takeover, he didn’t make up crises and go after minorities to keep power like the original fascists. Compare with Trump’s treatment of immigrants and you’ll see what I mean. I’d have no problem saying rhat Trump is this generation’s Hitler, while for example Putin doesn’t really fit.