1. Does Fascism Still Exist?
FASCISM TODAY
Does Fascism Still Exist?

2. DEFINING POINTS OF FASCISM
social conservatism: greater control of the state over social & moral affairs (divorce, abortion, homosexuality, women’s rights, prohibition, prostitution, banning offensive material, stem cells, gambling, drugs)
a reactionary move back towards: elitism (class system), sexism, religion and government intertwined, and traditional beliefs
police state (heavy focus on military force as well as crime and punishment)
military aggression (expansionism)/nationalism
corporate interests are protected

4. The 14 Points of FASCISM: http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm
- the fourteen characteristics of fascism

5. What Case Studies Could you Use to Examine FASCISM?
obviously 1930’s: Nazi Germany, Italy, and Spain
USA – elements of the George W. Bush years
Russia – Putin
Afghanistan - Taliban
Israel
current Egyptian theocratic revolution
ISIS, Saudi Arabia, Syria
USA - Donald Trump

7. VOCABULARY:
Caliphate – an Islamic state/nation. Led by a caliph (a religious/political leader. His power and authority is absolute
Jihad – a spiritual war/struggle (internal or external) against sin
Sunni and Shia:
the two main branches of Islam.
original division occurred over Muhammad’s successor
Sunni – the largest fraction of Islam (85% of all Muslims are Sunni). Orthodox Islam would fall under this branch.
Shia – centered out of Iran, but Shia minority groups exist in many nations

8. Green = Sunni Red = Shia blue = Ibadi (Oman)

9. The Rise of ISIS: A brief history of the Syrian War:
How does ISIS fit into our discussion of a modern fascist group?
A brief history of the Syrian War:
A brief history of ISIS in Iraq:
The Rise of ISIS documentary:
Trailer:

10. ISLAMOFASCISM
The term "Islamofascism" is included in the New Oxford American Dictionary, which defines it as "a controversial term equating some modern Islamic movements with the European fascist movements of the early twentieth century". The term is used in this manner by writers Christopher Hitchens, to describe Islamist extremists, including terrorist groups such as al Qaeda and ISIS.

11. FASCISM in AMERICA?
Hedges' book title, American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America, comes from a prediction by his Harvard ethics professor, James Luther Adams, who 25 years earlier had warned his students that they would all be fighting the "Christian fascists".
Hedges argues that this prediction has come true in that extreme forms of American Christianity now share many features with totalitarian movements, including suppression of individuality, a belief in magic, a shifting ideology, a "binary" good-or-evil view of the world, and a deep intolerance of people outside the movement.
He writes that "Christian radicals" are often so consumed with power and wealth they are no longer practicing Christianity in its traditional sense, as a religion focused on compassion and caring for the downtrodden.

12. Your Thoughts?
Watch these two clips about Fascism in America and Islamofascism:
Chris Hedges on the Hour
Islamofascism Controversy
In your opinion, are these valid examples of fascism? How could you argue they are or are not?

13. The “Alt-Right” / Neo Nazis
Richard Spencer and white nationalism

14. Is Trump’s Administration Fascist?

15. The Wave

16. The Wave:
In 1967, teacher Ron Jones, was confronted by the idea that his students did not believe a regime like the Nazis could ever rise again People had become too aware of that type of mind control and indoctrination.
He began a risky experiment that would eventually cost him his job. He started an in-class group called the “Third Wave”.
The activity spawned a book, two movies, a documentary, and now a musical.