Fascism in Action
55 quotes
"The world today is faced with a dangerous manifestation of... fascism. ...[T]here is marked agreement as to its objective characteristics."
"[F]ascism means the seizure and control of the economic, social, political, and cultural life of the state by a small group. Free speech, free press, free worship, and public meetings are ruthlessly suppressed. Blind obedience to the leader is demanded... and the slightest wavering means death or imprisonment... Restrictive policies may be carried on against... [one's] entire family. A fascist regime is... militaristic and nationalistic."
"[T]here are many strong symptoms of fascism in our own democratic society. ...[T]his movement in the United States masquerades under other names ...but ...its peculiar characteristics are alarmingly evident."
"At my request, the Legislative Reference Service of the has prepared a study of Fascism in Action as an aid to the American citizen in protecting himself and his children against this most dangerous movement of modern times."
"[F]ascism... means... [e]very person must think and act at the command of a higher authority. Every school, church, home, and business is carefully controlled by the dominant party. The concentration camp or death await the citizen who offers opposition..."
"To many, fascism, particularly as it operated in Germany, seemed a model of order and efficiency. ...But the cost to the individual was heavy. The price was abolition of representative government, of individual liberty, of the rights of free speech, free assembly, free religion, a free press, and the principle of equality before the law."
"Fascist Germany and Japan used the boasted efficiency of fascism to build mighty war machines to crush the "inefficient" democracies, but... Democracy and efficiency, even military efficiency, are not incompatible, and the democracies decisively defeated the fascist powers..."
"[F]ascism is today an everpresent danger to our democracy. We must consider... how to recognize its manifestations but also... combat it."
"[T]he best means of fighting fascism is to recognize it, no matter under what title it masquerades. Not all "hate" organizations are necessarily fascist, but they have... trends toward such..."
"[P]ersistent and fearless exposure will kill pro-fascist organizations and discredit the individuals who have formed them. However... exposure may attract new adherents."
"$100,000,000 per year is donated to propaganda organizations, some of which show very definite fascist tendencies."
"Many... feel that all agreements between American firms and foreign firms should be made public. This would... expose attempts of foreign fascists to work through American sympathizers."
"[O]ur educational system offers an excellent weapon, provided that we offer its advantages to all... regardless of... economic status or... location."
"Education... must utilize home influences... newspapers... radio, and other... public communication."
"must be given increased emphasis."
"A prime necessity in the defeat of fascism is... ."
"The Nation must continue to offer livelihood and hope to its citizens or they may become the prey of any demagog who offers them the promise of something better which is in reality a fascist regime."
"There must be a positive policy and a definite program for raising the national income and distributing it equitably so that people can buy the products of our economy. Some... consider this one of the most essential means for the destruction of incipient fascism."
"The working class has more to fear from fascism than any other group."
"[O]ne of the early acts of every fascist regime is the abolition of all labor organization outside government control."
"[M]ake certain that the existing government operates honestly and efficiently."
"Democracy and efficiency are compatible, but insinuations that we must choose between democratic participation ...and efficient government often emanate from fascist sources."
"[T]here are dangerous tendencies toward fascism in the United States today, the present study can perform an important function in instructing the reader in the recognition of these tendencies. To be forewarned is to be forearmed."
"It lies within our power to defend our chosen democratic way of life against the attack of fascism, and the study Fascism in Action is offered as a weapon in that defense."
"This study of Fascism in Action... its scope and method were to conform in general to the earlier study, Communism in Action (H. Doc. No. 754, 79th Cong., 2d sess.), prepared at the instance of Representative Everett Dirksen, of Illinois."