Authoritarianism

Let’s try to define (or at least describe) fascism, shall we? Fascism: “a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition” (Merriam-Webster) Notoriously difficult to define, Umberto Eco nevertheless highlighted 14 aspects of what he called “Ur-Fascism”: ...

The following 198 methods of nonviolent action are taken from Gene Sharp’s The Politics of Nonviolent Action. (For more information and resources along these lines, make sure to visit my /resist page.) The Methods of Nonviolent Protest and Persuasion Formal Statements Public Speeches Letters of opposition or support Declarations by organizations and institutions Signed public statements Declarations of indictment and intention Group or mass petitions Communications with a Wider Audience Slogans, caricatures, and symbols Banners, posters, and displayed communications Leaflets, pamphlets, and books Newspapers and journals Records, radio, and television Skywriting and earthwriting Group Representations Deputations Mock awards Group lobbying Picketing Mock elections Symbolic Public Acts Displays of flags and symbolic colors Wearing of symbols Prayer and worship Delivering symbolic objects Protest disrobings Destruction of own property Symbolic lights Displays of portraits Paint as protest New signs and names Symbolic sounds Symbolic reclamations Rude gestures Pressure on Individuals “Haunting” officials Taunting officials Fraternization Vigils Drama & Music Humorous skits and pranks Performances of plays and music Singing Processions Marches Parades Religious processions Pilgrimages Motorcades Honoring the Dead Political mourning Mock funerals Demonstrative funerals Homage at burial places Public Assemblies Assemblies of protest or support Protest meetings Camouflaged meetings of protest Teach-ins Withdrawal and Renunciation Walk-outs Silence Renouncing honor Turning one’s back The Methods of Social Noncooperation Ostracism of Persons Social boycott Selective social boycott Lysistratic nonaction Excommunication Interdict Noncooperation with Social Events, Customs & Institutions Suspension of social and sports activities Boycott of social affairs Student strike Social disobedience Withdrawal from social institutions Withdrawal from the Social System Stay-at-home Total personal noncooperation “Flight” of workers Sanctuary Collective disappearance Protest emigration (hijrat) The Methods of Economic Noncooperation: Economic Boycotts Action by Consumers Consumers’ boycott Nonconsumption of boycotted goods Policy of austerity Rent withholding Refusal to rent National consumers’ boycott International consumers’ boycott Action by Workers & Producers Workmen’s boycott Producers’ boycott Action by Middlemen Suppliers’ and handlers’ boycott Action by Owners & Management Traders’ boycott Refusal to let or sell property Lockout Refusal of industrial assistance Merchants’ “general strike” Action by Holders of Financial Resources Withdrawal of bank deposits Refusal to pay fees, dues, and assessments Refusal to pay debts or interest Severance of funds and credit Revenue refusal Refusal of a government’s money Action by Governments Domestic embargo Blacklisting of traders International sellers’ embargo International buyers’ embargo International trade embargo The Methods of Economic Noncooperation: The Strike Symbolic Strikes Protest strike Quickie walkout (lightning strike) Agricultural Strikes Peasant strike Farm Workers’ strike Strikes by Special Groups Refusal of impressed labor Prisoners’ strike Craft strike Professional strike Ordinary Industrial Strikes Establishment strike Industry strike Sympathetic strike Restricted Strikes Detailed strike Bumper strike Slowdown strike Working-to-rule strike Reporting “sick” (sick-in) Strike by resignation Limited strike Selective strike Multi-industry Strikes Generalized strike General strike Combination of Strikes & Economic Closures Hartal Economic shutdown The Methods of Political Noncooperation Rejection of Authority Withholding or withdrawal of allegiance Refusal of public support Literature and speeches advocating resistance Citizens’ Noncooperation with Government Boycott of legislative bodies Boycott of elections Boycott of government employment and positions Boycott of government depts., agencies, and other bodies Withdrawal from government educational institutions Boycott of government-supported organizations Refusal of assistance to enforcement agents Citizens’ Alternatives to Obedience Removal of own signs and placemarks ...

The following 20 “lessons” are taken from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. Here’s a video of John Lithgow reading the 20 lessons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXR5HLodsT8. (For more information and resources along these lines, make sure to visit my /resist page.) 1. Do not obey in advance Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do. ...