Paxton sees the foundations of fascism in a set of mobilizing passions rather than in a specific doctrine, and as such makes the term applicable to a wider range of political situations.
This is the original list.
- a sense of overwhelming crisis beyond the reach of any traditional solutions;
- the primacy of the group, toward which one has duties superior to every right, whether individual or universal, and the subordination of the individual to it;
- the belief that one’s group is a victim, a sentiment that justifies any action, without legal or moral limits, against its enemies, both internal and external;
- dread of the group’s decline under the corrosive effects of individualistic liberalism, class conflict, and alien influences;
- the need for closer integration of a purer community, by consent if possible, or by exclusionary violence if necessary;
- the need for authority by natural chiefs (always male), culminating in a national chieftain who alone is capable of incarnating the group’s historical destiny;
- the superiority of the leader’s instincts over abstract and universal reason;
- the beauty of violence and the efficacy of will, when they are devoted to the group’s success;
- the right of the chosen people to dominate others without restraint from any kind of human or divine law, right being decided by the sole criterion of the group’s prowess within a Darwinian struggle.
The feelings and needs alive in the strategy fascism
Fear and anger – survival
- Perceiving a crisis as overwhelming, beyond the reach of traditional solutions;
Fear of Exclusion, Desire to Benefit, Belonging, Meaning, Overcoming Self
- The interests of the state, nation or group reign supreme and personal interests or universal rights have to yield, when in conflict with the interests of the state or nation.
Anger – empathy for suffering, perceived injustice
- perception that one’s group is a victim, a sentiment that justifies any action, without legal or moral limits, against its enemies, both internal and external;
Fear – death, extinction
- dread of the group’s decline under the corrosive effects of individualistic liberalism, class conflict, and alien influences;
Fear and anger – belonging
- the need for closer integration of a purer community, by consent if possible, or by exclusionary violence if necessary;
Fear – protection
- the need for authority by natural chiefs (always male), culminating in a national chieftain who alone is capable of incarnating the group’s historical destiny;
- the superiority of the leader’s instincts over abstract and universal reason;
Pride, joy – strength, power
- the beauty of violence and the efficacy of will, when they are devoted to the group’s success;
Pride, joy vs. shame, disgust – survival
- the right of the chosen people to dominate others without restraint from any kind of human or divine law, right being decided by the sole criterion of the group’s prowess within a Darwinian struggle.