In 1755, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Lisbon, Portugal, destroying the city, including all the churches. Since geophysics was unknown in those days, the "cause" was attributed to "sinners" who had angered God. Church leaders helpfully pointed out the guilty few, who were immediately lynched.
The concept of scapegoat, "one that is made to bear the blame of others", is ancient, a tool used by fundamentalist in all authoritarian structures. It presupposes the "problem" resides outside their community, and promises changes "out there" will fix things. When the real problem is internal, external fixes ultimately fail.
Despite the equalitarian concepts within the Constitution, America has always fallen short in practice. From the beginning, voting was limited to only white men, disenfranchising Native Americans, people of color, and women. America's "experiment" in democracy has slowly removed these limitations, at least in the letter of the law. But the social structure has consistently distorted the legal system, effectively preserving those previous exclusions, slowing progress toward real "equal protection under the law".
The book "Prequel", by Rachel Maddow, describes the authoritarian scapegoating in America in the decade leading up to WW2. Capitalism and authoritarianism have significant overlap, both being based in the flawed concept of exclusive gain. FDR was dealing with the economic collapse of 1929, using the power of the government for the benefit of the larger population, angering the wealthy elite, who traditionally felt entitled to their position.
Hitler knew that it was important to keep America out of the war in Europe in order to consolidate his desire for empire. To that end, beginning in the mid 30's, a massive, well-funded, dis-information propaganda campaign was launched in the US to divide the society, keeping it neutral.
Hitler was portrayed as a white Christian strong man savior, willing to take a hard line on the "undesirables" who he claimed were the root of all evil: Jews, communists, and immigrants of color. Many influential Americans avidly supported with words and funds.
White Christian nationalist organizations in America at the time were enlisted to Hitler's goals, including the KKK, the White Camellia, Catholic priest Charles Coughlin, America First Party, American Gentile Protective Association, American Nationalist Confederation, American White Guard, and the Silver Shirts.
Among the authoritarian supporters were Republican Senators and Representatives, who read German propaganda into the Congressional Record, and then sent it to massive mailing lists, using federal tax dollars. Henry Ford had fascist newspapers in every Ford dealership, and put fascist literature in every Ford sold.
Several people understood what was happening, and began to investigate on their own. The FBI and Secret Service weren't interested at first, because their focus was on communists, not fascists. However, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and Germany declared war on America in alliance with Japan, everything changed.
The popular tolerance of fascism collapsed. Domestic German propaganda organizations were broken up, and dozens were indicted and tried for sedition. But the domestic supporters of authoritarianism prevailed. The biggest trial was ridiculed in Congress. The trial was marred with unruly behavior by the multiple defendant's lawyers. It was all cast as partisan Democratic zeal. Eventually, a mistrial was declared, and very few ever saw any consequence for their actions, as the tide of the war in Europe shifted to the allies, and German fascism lost completely.
More than 8 decades later, we are witnessing a sequel. White Christian nationalism is on the rise again, courted by another malignant narcissist. Putin is presented as a white Christian savior, fighting a war in Europe. Authoritarian propaganda, some originating from Russian Intelligence services, is read into the Congressional Record by Republicans. Powerful media organizations support autocracy over democracy, and the Internet gives widespread, unfettered access unimagined in the 40's. The issue in this next election is again between autocracy and democracy.
What is new this time is the climate crisis, a fundamentally unifying experience. Last week saw flood inundation in Brazil, Uruguay, Kenya, Netherlands, Germany, Oman, Dubai, Afghanistan, China, Texas and Tennessee. Lethal heat is beginning to hit southeast Asia. More numerous, and stronger, tornados are hitting the US Midwest, extending further north and east. This year is already hotter than 2023, which was the hottest year on record.
At some point, humanity will awaken to our collective fate, and transcend the apparent outward differences to address our inherent unity. The only real alternative is social collapse, with possible species extinction.
Crispin B. Hollinshead lives in Ukiah. This and previous articles can be found at cbhollinshead.blogspot.com.
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