Far too often we hear “Nazi” or “Fascist” and we think of evil men, with nothing but blackness in their hearts. Liberal Fascism helps us see these terrible people from the perspective of the good they thought they were doing. Of course, Goldberg is not justifying their actions; to the contrary Liberal Fascism examines Totalitarian philosophies and attempts ferret out similar chains of logic in modern Liberal thought.
Though I’m not qualified to confirm the historical account given, I strongly recommend this book. It is not an academic book, but rather it is a counter-attack to charges that modern Conservatives are Fascists or Nazis. Goldberg once described in an interview, how his “smug self-righteous” liberal student called him a Nazi. Goldberg replied with a question: Apart from the virulent racism, what part of the Nazi political philosophy do you disagree with?
” His implication was that the student’s passionate desire for a nation united to take care of its people, was precisely the impetus of German National Socialism.
Goldberg’s Definition of Fascism
- Fascism
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- Is a religion of the state.
- It assumes the organic unity of the body politic.
- It longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people.
- It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political.
- It holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good.
- It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being.
- It It seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action.
Goldberg argues that the first modern Fascist society was actually the United States during World War I, under the dictatorship
of President Woodrow Wilson. While he is prone to overstatement he makes a strong case citing among other damning evidence, the Sedition Act of 1918. In order to tie the “war time socialism” to modern Liberalism, he describes how Liberal Fascists
must maintain a state of permanent crisis in order to short circuit debate, and get beyond politics
.
Bottom Line on Liberal Fascism
I give this book a high rating, but I warn you that I don’t expect that you will fully agree with Goldberg’s conclusions. I think Goldberg is well out of his competence when discussing religion and spiritual matters; he borders on hypocritical at times. I do however wish you would read this book if for no other reason than to establish what we mean when we say “Fascist” or “Totalitarian”. These words should not be used as clubs to beat down people we disagree with, but as shorthand for ideas that like wolves in sheep’s clothing.