When creating this blog, I decided to focus on two distinct ideas: politics and healthcare. Although my professional knowledge is in healthcare, I cannot help but find the similarities between patient management and discussions of politics and their role in human lives. Politics has become a staple in our lives, and its effect is noticeable.
At the beginning of this blog, I tried to keep it focused on North America, and the pressing issue is tariffs, but when researching the Executive Order, I noticed the trend of fascism in documents. This trend was found in the documents provided by the government of the United States. I had predicted that a fascist state in America would form, and then said, “I now consider it such”. This is the trajectory they have chosen, and I will continue referring to the administration as fascists until further notice.
With a new focus on fascism in government, geopolitical discourse has, with a regrettable heart, gotten my attention. The recent war developments in the Ukrainian-Russian war and my ability to focus on them have led me to an astonishing realization of how fascism has been at our front door for the past three decades. I am referring to Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty. During this period, the influence of the Russian Federation created enough tension within the population that war began. Through the test of time and the exhaustion that war brings, the lasting effects of such experiences will only be revealed eventually. However, what has transpired during this period has led to a profound understanding of the wounds that a nation carries from the beginning of the Ukrainian nation. Fascism has been and always been rooted in the relationship between the Ukrainian and Russian nations. They were never brothers, in my opinion, but propaganda tools influenced them during the USSR to establish widespread complacency among the two peoples. This was to create a facade of trust between opposing nations. This facade has created a sense of false hope in the Ukrainian people that the Russians could be trusted as brothers.
While hostility is common among neighboring states, the hostilities experienced in Ukraine by the Russian people continue to affect people’s lives. Their manipulation tactics, constant inconsistencies, and the lie they offer that there will be decent diplomacy among decent human beings continue to affect people’s lives. During Putin’s presidency, he has yet to show consistency in stories, reasoning, and purpose. Inconsistencies do not occur where truth resides, as truth requires a foundation of morality. Morality stems from a position of truth-telling.
Fascism is a political ideology that needs immorality to exist. Unfortunately, immorality can come from a multitude of sources. Whether we acknowledge our immorality or not, the fascist regime exists while immoral governance is accepted. This type of governance should not exist in the 21st century. In my argument, the immorality of spirit causes anchored mindsets that contribute to the whole regime. Responsibility for the regime lies with the oppressor, but the survivor must not become a victim.
Fascism oppresses the people by manipulating their day-to-day lives. It is easiest to manipulate people when they do not notice. Those who do not see – uphold and those who see them for what they are become victims of their brutality.
The oppressor does so because of their hatred towards humanity. This hatred is usually undetectable at first and hard to notice, as it does not cause much offense. However, as the oppressor becomes emboldened, they increase their influence, and the minor inconveniences become bigger as they begin attacking liberty. One who tries to live a moral life would find it irrational to release anger demonstratively, so it either manifests into passive aggressiveness towards generalized people that supposedly are the problem of the misfortunes, or into denial. Denial is the worst case scenario; Denial causes the individual to begin doubting their minds and thus become susceptible to propaganda. Depending on what you find interesting, there is fascist propaganda for you. From housewives to C.E.O., we are all susceptible to their manipulation tactics.
Although fascism is the minority, and most are not fascists, our psychological barriers keep us from seeing it for what it is. Under these conditions, one becomes complacent about the fascist regime. In this regime, the population either denies the existence of fascists or their grievances consume them to the point that they stop noticing the degradation of a system.
As for fascism as a conscious choice, this is the minority. The fascists themselves.
There is no doubt that Russia is a fascist state. The evidence is stacked against them. I state this boldly and unapologetically because I personally have experienced this terror.
While the U.S. only hints at its trajectory, Russia embodies the modern-day fascist state. We are now again in the midst of a war with them. As of February 24, 2022, Russia had openly begun its Nazi-terror against the Ukrainian people. Making this the most critical war of the 21st century. The outcome of this war will determine the outcomes of every individual on this planet. Geopolitical outcome and the ripple effect of Nazi’s winning a war would be devastating.
Taking the last three years of war into account and the multitude of evidence that we have acquired tells us exactly what governance Putin’s regime has planned for Russia. His inner mind is that of a psychopathic fascist, and there will be no ceasefire or truce of any kind until they are accordingly dealt with. This state should not exist on our planet since it disrupts every aspect of the economy and has made everyone’s lives increasingly complex. Given this reason alone, the West should have done more for the Ukrainian people during this war.
Since then, Russian propaganda has affected political systems in Europe, which are beginning to lean right-wing. This political shift has already started destabilizing the European Union leadership, with the possibility of the EU’s values shifting toward authoritarianism. The internal political struggles within the EU have caused many people to forget that a war is continuing on the continent of Europe—a devastating war, with crimes against humanity and the extermination of a people…
Since fascism is an ideology of a certain fixed mindset, a solution to it can be found. I propose that moral reasoning is the solution against an extremist ideology. Something as simple as having a good intention towards yourself and others can counteract the effects of propaganda. As said previously, they are a minority; they hold less weight than you and I combined. So, if most people apply moral reasoning to their political discourse, we can finally achieve a middle ground.
Moral reasoning is the backbone of our humanity. It uses a person’s moral compass. If an interaction’s intention is grounded in good intentions, then that can be considered moral reasoning. To counteract fascism, our humanity must be engaged. Everyday interactions hold the greatest significance in the battle against a prevailing ideology.
Ethical Modernity 