Trumpist extremism turns out to be a particularly noxious, authoritarian brew better called “oligarchic, authoritarian libertarianism.”
By Robert S. Becker, Nation of Change
Knowing the enemy defines strong, independent resistance, beyond noisy protests and indignation. Unlike fascism, Trumpism wants to shrink government so that profiteers can drown it in a bathtub.
More reckless than ever as approval numbers tank, Trump the failed businessman still believes rich financiers and ruthless, libertarian tycoons should run the country. Folks like Musk, Thiel, Andressen, Schwarzman, Ackman, Mercer, Adelson, Zuckerberg, and Bezos. By this illogic, the richest, least caring elite should rule because America’s “greatness” depends on this smug MAGA pride of hungry lions. With DJT as pilot and key beneficiary, the religion of super-wealthy elitism highlights the latest in corrupt, anti-democratic capitalism. It’s Reaganism on steroids, the goal as shameless as ’tis obvious: exploit trade, productivity, technology, pricing, labor and earth’s resources so the rich get ever richer and more dominant.
Yet, contrary to what defines 20th C European fascism, the radical Trumpist brand is less about concentrating all power to an overriding state cult than serving the obsession for limitless wealth. Trumpist extremism turns out to be a particularly noxious, authoritarian brew better called “oligarchic, authoritarian libertarianism.” That means warring against Constitutional and democratic checks, all to further deregulate already heedless capitalism, though never abandoning juicy, corporate subsidies.
Fixated oligarchs, “stable geniuses” every one, buy into the apocalyptic equation that the best exploiters make the best, most deserving leaders, demanding deference and obedience. Thus, billionaire clout = power = self-entitlement to dominate, a perverse sequel to discredited Social Darwinism and this upside-down crackpottery: survival of the fattest.
As Alex J. Kay and Jon-Wyatt Matlack, expert historians on European fascism, argue:
Instead of massively expanding the capacity of the state as a whole to achieve a reimagined, utopian society, Trump relies entirely upon the instrument of executive orders—easily challenged or reversed by an act of Congress. His vision, such as it is, appears incoherent . . . it’s not fascism, it is a free for all.
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