Ben Shapiro Defines Fascism in UC Berkeley Speech

[JohnDoe-rnrz]

From what I've seen in history, I look at it as a nationalist-imperialist sort of thing. He just defined authoritarianism, he is kind of off.

[stefanjoeres]

Good lord, attacking people for throwing around the word fascist and then giving the dumbest possible definition of fascism and calling Stalin a fascist and Hitler a leftist. Topped of course by the obligatory "AnTiFa Is FaScIsT" schtick every right-winger now has to do apparently.

[JackSardonic]

>"people use the term that haven't read a book hahaa lol"
>proceeds to utterly butcher the definition himself

*GAS*

[conarthesonar]

This man just doesn't understand fascism. Read a damn book ben

[KeeperOfProphecies]

"In Italy fascists are divided into two categories: fascists and antifascists." - Ennio Flaiano

[RobertBH]

Stalin was a fascist. That is possibly the hottest take Ive ever heard

[livefree]

I wanted to attend this speech, and I could have taken the day off work. But I after serving 8 years in the US Army, I didn't want to enter a warzone.

[AFoxyProductions]

Why is the video titled the way that it is when he in no way shape or form defines any term

[milansvancara]

Oof, the worst definition of fascism ever. This dude is just making up stuff and bending definitions, what an irony he accuses everyone else of doing the same:D

[RobertBH]

Shapiro needs to read Marx and Hegel. This is embarrassing

[briansager]

Ooooh so we get to create our own definitions for words now? Neat!

[aarondavis]

Umberto EcoEdit

In his 1995 essay "Eternal Fascism", cultural theorist Umberto Eco lists fourteen general properties of fascist ideology.[20] He argues that it is not possible to organise these into a coherent system, but that "it is enough that one of them be present to allow fascism to coagulate around it". He uses the term "Ur-fascism" as a generic description of different historical forms of fascism. The fourteen properties are as follows:

"The Cult of Tradition", characterized by cultural syncretism, even at the risk of internal contradiction. When all truth has already been revealed by Tradition, no new learning can occur, only further interpretation and refinement."The Rejection of modernism", which views the rationalistic development of Western culture since the Enlightenment as a descent into depravity. Eco distinguishes this from a rejection of superficial technological advancement, as many fascist regimes cite their industrial potency as proof of the vitality of their system."The Cult of Action for Action's Sake", which dictates that action is of value in itself, and should be taken without intellectual reflection. This, says Eco, is connected with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science."Disagreement Is Treason" – Fascism devalues intellectual discourse and critical reasoning as barriers to action, as well as out of fear that such analysis will expose the contradictions embodied in a syncretistic faith."Fear of Difference", which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate, often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and immigrants."Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class", fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations of lower social groups."Obsession with a Plot" and the hyping-up of an enemy threat. This often combines an appeal to xenophobia with a fear of disloyalty and sabotage from marginalized groups living within the society (such as the German elite's 'fear' of the 1930s Jewish populace's businesses and well-doings; see also anti-Semitism). Eco also cites Pat Robertson's book The New World Order as a prominent example of a plot obsession.Fascist societies rhetorically cast their enemies as "at the same time too strong and too weak." On the one hand, fascists play up the power of certain disfavored elites to encourage in their followers a sense of grievance and humiliation. On the other hand, fascist leaders point to the decadence of those elites as proof of their ultimate feebleness in the face of an overwhelming popular will."Pacifism is Trafficking with the Enemy" because "Life is Permanent Warfare" – there must always be an enemy to fight. Both fascist Germany under Hitler and Italy under Mussolini worked first to organize and clean up their respective countries and then build the war machines that they later intended to and did use, despite Germany being under restrictions of the Versailles treaty to NOT build a military force. This principle leads to a fundamental contradiction within fascism: the incompatibility of ultimate triumph with perpetual war."Contempt for the Weak", which is uncomfortably married to a chauvinistic popular elitism, in which every member of society is superior to outsiders by virtue of belonging to the in-group. Eco sees in these attitudes the root of a deep tension in the fundamentally hierarchical structure of fascist polities, as they encourage leaders to despise their underlings, up to the ultimate Leader who holds the whole country in contempt for having allowed him to overtake it by force."Everybody is Educated to Become a Hero", which leads to the embrace of a cult of death. As Eco observes, "[t]he Ur-Fascist hero is impatient to die. In his impatience, he more frequently sends other people to death.""Machismo", which sublimates the difficult work of permanent war and heroism into the sexual sphere. Fascists thus hold "both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality.""Selective Populism" – The People, conceived monolithically, have a Common Will, distinct from and superior to the viewpoint of any individual. As no mass of people can ever be truly unanimous, the Leader holds himself out as the interpreter of the popular will (though truly he dictates it). Fascists use this concept to delegitimize democratic institutions they accuse of "no longer represent[ing] the Voice of the People.""Newspeak" – Fascism employs and promotes an impoverished vocabulary in order to limit critical reasoning.


Ben Shapiro is one of the most obvious hacks of all time.

[MarcosReyesMD]

It bothers me that many websites that supposedly define words, have right wing as part of the definition of fascism. That needs to be corrected.

[Bella-czod]

Want to understand ANTIFA?  Watch North Korean YT videos  Group think.  Group hysteria.  Censorship perfection.  And, all that comes from it...

[fatrown]

Looking forward to the full meal deal. Not seeing anything uploaded from the independent journos covering yet, except little bits

[powerofanime]

You know, I initially read that title as "Ben Shapiro DEFENDS Fascism". Whoops.

[qaykon]

Ben just described authoritarianism. Fascism is a nationalistic socialism. The difference between socialists and fascists is that fascism wants socialism at a national level while socialists want socialism at the international level.

[anthonytarczynski]

Fascism is what happens when capitalism is threatened by socialist or Marxist revolutionaries. The government and corporations combine together and are extremely collectivist and ultranationalist.

[JC-okyx]

I wonder if next time the city will cite the cost of security being so high at the event as grounds to shut down future conservative speakers?

[Martin]

I always thought fascism were people who took on a specific belief because if their fashion. Like how the Russian army dressed with their super cool boots and long trench coats 🧥 lol