Editor,
Apropos the letter, “squeezing the middle class” (ST April 2, 2019) by P.S Gupta, I fully agree that before election, Parties would announce lots of schemes that would never be implemented when they come to power. Every sentence is supported by facts, but the words, “a particular party” and “poor people” in one paragraph reveals what the writer’s motive is all about. He has shown the notoriety of, “a particular party” and this is very correct. He should have also questioned how someone from the “particular party” on February alone inaugurated one hundred and sixty projects worth crores of rupees and that too most of them in governments in the south. One should as well question the timing of shooting the low orbit satellite. Just few days after that on March 31, 2019, DRDO has shown it’s future plans to now focus on identifying enemy satellites to be able to destroy them. This would take months if not years. Thus while appreciating our scientists who work tirelessly to make us safe and secure in matters of space war, let us know that there is still much to be done before we can rest with the knowledge that we are completely safe. Let us also not take credit of our scientists’ achievements and use it for political gains. I do believe that this letter is a fitting rebuttal to the above letter.
Yours etc.,
- Khyriem,
Shillong- 14
Facets of fascism we should know
Editor,
Renowned political scientist, Dr. Lawrence Britt has carried out extensive research on fascist regimes. The end result of this is his excellent article ~ “Fascism Anyone?” ~ which needs to be read by all the people of the world to prevent the disease called fascism. It is rightly said that prevention is better than cure. To save democracy and to prevent the onslaught of fascism, we must understand the symptoms of the disease. For this we need to know what Dr. Britt identified as 14 common symptoms or characteristics of fascism.
The first symptom is powerful nationalism. A regime having an inclination towards fascism makes constant display of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs and flags.
Second ~ it treats human rights with contempt. It views human rights as roadblocks to eliminate enemies. It gives tacit support to lynching and assassinations.
Third ~ there will be hysteria to make the people rally into a unifying patriotic frenzy to banish a perceived common enemy or racial or religious minorities as well as liberals, communists and socialists.
Fourth ~ military issues outweigh domestic ones. The military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding neglecting the domestic problems.
The fifth is rampant sexism. In fascist regimes, traditional gender roles tend to get more rigid.
Sixth ~ it tries either to directly control the media or at least to indirectly pull strings by regulation or by creating sympathetic media spokes-persons and anchors.
Seventh ~ it has an obsession with national security because it wants to use fear to motivate the common people.
Eighth ~ religion and government get interwoven with each other. It is found that governments in fascist nations use majority religion to control public opinion.
Ninth ~ it protects corporate power. The elite market players and a fascist government have a symbiotic relationship.
Tenth ~ it suppresses labour power as it is the only real threat to a fascist government. Labour unions are either eliminated entirely or suppressed.
Eleventh ~ there will be a disdain for intellectuals and the arts. Fascist nations promote hostility towards higher education and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested.
Twelfth ~ it is obsessed with crime and punishment. The people are forced to forsake civil liberties for patriotism.
Thirteenth ~ there exist rampant cronyism and corruption. Fascist regimes use governmental power and authority to protect their friends.
And finally the fourteenth is fraudulent elections. Sometimes elections in fascist nations turn out to be a complete farce. Smear campaigns against opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers, manipulation of the media to manipulate elections have sometimes been adopted by a fascist government.
If we want to enjoy democracy which is undoubtedly the best and the most non-violent form of government then we have to be cautious about the symptoms of fascism. Simultaneously, we ourselves must try to be truly democratic in our family and workplace as it is rightly said that the people will get the government they deserve.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Via email