Thread by @CBCPitchbot

IN-DEPTH: Is Pierre Poilievre a fascist?

Fascism is a far-right ultranationalist political phenomenon which seeks to resolve all social contradictions caused by the existing social order with repression and violence.

Fascism as a social phenomenon typically emerges in a period of capitalist socio-economic crisis. This phenomenon typically starts as a political movement in a portion of the middle-class who experience a decline in their socio-economic standing.

When sections of the middle-class decline in economic status, members of that class who benefit from structural oppression (historically white and male) may turn to fascist politics en masse to “return to better times” when those systems better protected their economic status.

Violence is a unifying force for members of a fascist movement. Expect attacks against marginalized groups whether it's transphobic, homophobic, anti-Black or anti-Indigenous violence.

Violence is often also directed at women, immigrants or even public services like hospitals.

As the socio-economic crisis develops, trust in traditional politics or traditional parties decline as they fail to help most people in need.

At this time, members of the established capitalist class may see the groundswell of support for fascism as an opportunity.

At the critical juncture of the crisis, sections of the ruling class merges with the fascist movement, granting it institutional legitimacy and the backing of state forces, such as the police or military.

Members of the police or military enthusiastically join the movement, while police forces selectively repress on-the-ground opposition to fascism and turn a blind eye to fascist organizations (even if they officially break the law).

Money pours into the movement and institutional media starts vocalizing support for increasingly fascist policies. The momentum draws in more members of the capitalist class and the media blitz even attracts some (mostly white, male, etc) supporters in the working class.

Established media plays a central role in the rise of fascism. If outlets are not outright supportive, they may downplay the danger or rely on traditional parties with collapsing support. Media may even cast fascism as “better than the alternative” if progressive movements appear

With the loss of legitimacy for traditional parties caused by socio-economic crisis, these traditional parties become powerless to stop the rise of fascism.

Only an alternative that meets the material needs of working people can stop fascism at this stage.

As fascism comes to power, its first move is to crush any alternative to its rule, using police or paramilitary violence as necessary.

Any opposition would have to have been organized ahead of time to act decisively and successfully overcome this period of repression.

During this period, political opposition is neutered or repressed, followed quickly by the repression of organized bodies of workers and oppressed groups.

While the demagoguery can be convincing, working people and oppressed groups have nothing to gain from the rise in fascism and everything to lose.

If they are organized, they can outnumber and outmaneuver the fascist movement.

If opposition fails, fascism becomes entrenched in power. Once in power, fascism tends to immediately empower corporations while disempowering workers, as well as entrenching all forms of structural oppression (patriarchy, settler-colonialism, etc) to benefit the dominant groups.

Since fascism relies on violence and repression to resolve social problems, the ranks of the police forces swell (alongside their budget) while all other social spending is slashed.

Loyal supporters of the movement are promoted and integrated as official members of the police.

Once in power, fascism may cast off some of its more unruly members to stabilize its rule, but this does not change its fundamental character.

The only solution to stopping fascism for good is organizing a political alternative that can actually meet the needs of working people and end all forms of structural domination, stopping fascism's root causes.

Inaction or downplaying the danger accomplishes nothing.

...But Pierre Poilievre has not declared himself to be a fascist. So we probably don't have to worry about it.

this is a crucial point. on these lands, the only political alternative that can end all forms of structural domination (ending the root causes of fascism) is full Indigenous Sovereignty. that is the particular nature of this colonial context.

https://twitter.com/BarbaraXLow/status/1569101846228385793?t=CaerDx42uCDStazNO-MDpQ&s=19