Latest Book Review: This is Fascism, by Rosan Smits

An impromptu purchase while passing through Heathrow as part of our summer family holiday, I’d hardly call this ‘light reading’ for a relaxing break. That said, something about the book jumped out at me and skim-reading a few pages in the bookshop, I was both drawn in and compelled to read more.

So buy it I did. And I'm glad I did.

As Rosan Smits expertly lays out, "Fascism revolves around the notions that one’s own cultural group is superior, and that the nation is in decline due to a conspiracy of minorities and left-wing liberal elites."

It thrives on the normalisation of outdated ideas and It evokes a passion an anger that draws people in and makes them want to fight for change.

As Smits says, somewhat controversially, if you’ve ever wondered how you would have reacted when World War II took hold, today provides a powerful indication of which side you might have taken.

Fascism is the "glorification of very basic and destructive ideas" as she puts it. Its fuelled by emotions: anger, resentment, and a hatred of people seen as the enemy.

Perhaps the most jarring part of the book, for me, is when Smits lists some of the actions fascists take and how closely they reflect actions we're seeing today.

➡️ Every fascist invokes a mythic past to justify their tales of a glorious future.

➡️ Every fascist uses propaganda to stir up feelings of mistrust and disrupt public debate.

➡️ Every fascist deliberately undermines independent thinkers who challenge their propaganda.

➡️ Every fascist destroys the truth.

➡️ Every fascist claims that their own group is the victim of a conspiracy or a plot.

➡️ Every fascist establishes a new social order based on claims about who is entitled to human dignity and who is not.

➡️ Every fascist defends rigid gender roles as a pillar of their power and as a cornerstone of the social hierarchy.

➡️ Every fascist divides people into ‘hard-working citizens’ and ‘disposable freeloaders’.

➡️ Every fascist transforms the law into a weapon with which to destroy their opponents.

Smits' words act as a chilling reminder of what's happening in the world today.

"Remember the function of the fascist lie: it does not ask people to believe something new, but to disbelieve what they can see with their own eyes."

So, what do we do? Thankfully, Smits has an answer here too.

Love!

Care, empathy, compassion and kindness for our fellow humans.

We need to be prepared to “fearlessly stand up for our values and show solidarity with people who are vulnerable.” To “sow hope, not hate,” as she puts it.

The antidote to fascism, it turns out, is moral courage. Our absolute refusal to participate in the hatred and dehumanisation of others is where fascism begins to crumble.

Fascism is a strategy, as Smits describes it, and therefore resistance to it must be one too. That strategy? “Knowledge, courage, stamina and a big heart.”