Movement Towards Fascism in Post-September 11 America

Much has been made of the concept of a national security state since the attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon on September 11, 2001. However, little research has been performed as to what changes in this direction actually mean. Here, I argue that the changes in foreign and domestic security policy since 2001 have endangered democratic processes and moved the United States closer to fascism. The first chapter searches for a generic concept of fascism that can be used for this examination, taking care to describe fascism based on structural elements. The second section examines long-term movements in American society that could have opened the way for fascist processes, paying particular attention to the emergence of the New Right and to psychological factors related to mass apathy. The concluding section looks at government policy since September 11 including the War on Terror, USA PATRIOT Act, National Security Doctrine, school vouchers, and redistricting to examine structural elements of a possible shift towards fascism as well as long term dangers to democracy.

Autorentext

After graduating magna cum laude in Political Science,English, and Philosophy in 2002, Devon completed a Masters degreein the Humanities in 2004. Devon was appointed to Chair hisCity's Parks and Recreation Board and Tree Commission in 2005,and was elected to help write a new City Charter for Edgewater in2007. He is currently running for Mayor.

Klappentext

Much has been made of the concept of a "nationalsecurity state" since the attacks on the World TradeCentre and Pentagon on September 11, 2001. However,little research has been performed as to what changesin this direction actually mean. Here, I argue thatthe changes in foreign and domestic security policysince 2001 have endangered democratic processes andmoved the United States closer to fascism. The firstchapter searches for a "generic" concept of fascismthat can be used for this examination, taking care todescribe fascism based on structural elements. Thesecond section examines long-term movements inAmerican society that could have opened the way forfascist processes, paying particular attention to theemergence of the New Right and to psychologicalfactors related to mass "apathy." The concludingsection looks at government policy since September 11- including the War on Terror, USA PATRIOT Act,National Security Doctrine, school vouchers, andredistricting - to examine structural elements of apossible shift towards fascism as well as long termdangers to democracy.