Short Points: The Closeness of Leftist Politics to Fascism

Very few people will choose to demolish a system they are so wrapped up in, and which benefits them so enormously – and this is the case for almost the entirety of the population of developed countries. The level of exploitation required to maintain our lifestyles is vast.

Marx, on Ideology: “They do it, but they do not know that they do it.”

People “do” liberal capitalism, but they do not know that they do it.

Democratic options may be impossible. Who will vote to tear down the system that maintains their lifestyle? But liberal democracy is a sham, a lie. To overthrow it, can violent methods be excused?

It boils down to ‘what is the moral imperative to overthrow it?’

Lack of equal opportunity, enslavement, dictatorship of the electoriat.

SO

What in leftist thought is common with fascism?

Vanguards – Party members who serve as an example to others, and are completely dedicated the cause, willing to die for it?

Collectivism trumps individualism – the great cause is more important than any one person’s wellbeing. WHY is my right to drive a hummer (if I so desire) more important than your grandchildren’s right to breathe clean air and have enough to eat?

Authoritarianism – Is authoritarianism (in the immediate term) inevitable? To break people’s attachment to capitalist ideology, is structural violence necessary? Probably.

(Sort of) In Defence of Diane Abbott (I Suppose)

I am no great fan of Diane Abbott. I think the way she reneged on her agreement with John McDonnell during the Labour leadership contest was despicable, and she rarely says much I agree with or get inspired by.

That said, I’ve decided to “storify” a few tweets on the subject of the row that’s erupted over her “racism”. This isn’t meant to be an in-depth analysis, just a way of saving my two penn’orth for posterity.

1. Weird that Glasman can get away with blaming immigration for every problem ever, but Diane is hauled over the coals for a throwaway comment.

2. I mean, I find “It’s all the fucking foreigners’ fault. Fuck them. Fuck them all with a big stick. Close the borders!” an extreme position.

3. …Certainly a more extreme position than, “Cor, white history is plagued with injustice and exploitation, innit?”

4. Because, you know, one is pretty much true and one is pretty much the BNP manifesto.

5. Seriously… I mean, Glasman thinks ‘Faith, Family, Flag’ is an acceptable electoral slogan in this century.

So, uhm, yeah. There you have it.