So, I won't lie. I always struggled with historical and modern imaginings of fascism. If we go by this definition, honestly, what do we NOT consider to be at least slightly fascist, especially when a country is experiencing an economic-related crisis?
Why, when the author of "Depression and Recovery in Argentina" seems to be touting slow but steady recovery, is there still a move to introduce fascist policies to the state? Is there another moment in history (it doesn't matter when or where), that you can recall something along these lines happening? Please, share your examples.
Fascist Organizations such as the "Guardia Argentina" and "Legion Civica", combined into the National Party to protect the government from a Radical counter-revolution. Their aims included abolishing all political parties, reducing the size of the bureaucracy, and overall centralizing the nation's power. Policies issued revolved around these aims as a result of unsettled political conditions, in which Fascism seemed to take over. Basically, I think this happened because of the fear of what the Radicals would do. I don't have much knowledge on historical events, so I really can't think of a time when a move towards Fascism occurred after a depression...but I do know that Nazi Germany was Fascist with their extreme nationalistic policies similar to some of Argentina.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like Argentina was recovering after the Great Depression. National finances were being managed, banks were being reformed, the country was industrializing and even putting out New Deal-like programs. Now all that was left was to figure out which type of government would lead the country in future years. The article talked about this running debate between a possible oligarchy and a possible democracy. In the end, I think fascism was chosen because the other two options reminded the Argentinians of governments they did not enjoy in the past. The democracy reminds them too much of the Radicals and the Yrigoyen administration both of which they did not like especially as the Depression hit. And the oligarchy probably reminded them of the unpopular generation of 1880. Fascism was something they had never tried, so they decided to give it a go.
ReplyDeleteThe only historical connection I can think of is the French revolution. After many years of turmoil and crises, France was finally getting back on its feet. But when searching for a new government, they ended up turning to Napoleon, a dictator.
I do not have enough of an extensive knowledge of history to come up with another time in which a fascist regime has taken over during economic crisis, however, as you said, what isn't at least slightly fascist. Fascism suppresses other parties and has basic total control of a country's economic enterprises. This can be seen in little ways almost anywhere. For example, in times of economic crisis, such as now, America government often times very involved in economic policies and companies such as bail outs, and so on. And although we vote and, lets face it, are very against fascist one party-type governments, can we really say that only having two strong political parties is 100% better? there are so many different varieties of opinion in this world, yet there are only two/three powerful groups of people to be chosen from to represent and make decisions for America, and with each economic crisis the power of the president has expanded making the equality and importance of the presidential, legislative, and judicial branches, very slightly, uneven.
ReplyDeleteThe recovery of the argentine government was one faced with many decisions. the biggest of them all was which form of government was best suited to run the government. I think that you can draw some parallels between Nazi Germany and Argentina not only because of their choice of government, but because they were in a similar economic situation. The reason why Germany turned towrds hitler and the Nazi regime was because it seems like a system where the country would thrive and the quality of life for the average joe would improve. I think that as the recovery was going on in Argentina, they saw what fascism was doing for Germany and how successful they were becoming and since the other options they had (oligarchy or democracy) hadn't workied to prevent harm and injustice towrds the citizens before, they were attracted towards this "new hope". This hope that every would be saved by one person who knew how to help, who knew how to get the country back on top, and who knew what it takes in order to place argentina back on top of the world's list of powers.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I can recall in history of Fascism is Nazi Germany. I think this was a new idea to Argentina, just like having a military dictatorship. If all else fails, try something new. Argentina is recovering rather well from the depression. Now all they need is some sort of stable government. Fascism is an experimental way of recovery for Argentina. I think Germany played a influential role when it came to Fascism in Argentina.
ReplyDeleteArgentina's descent into fascism reminds me of a few points in European history when countries in a similar economical and societal positions also made the change to fascism. The obvious choice is Hitler and Germany in the 1930's, but Hitler didn't come up with the idea for fascism nor was he the first to use it after the Great Depression. Mussolini in Italy was the first to use fascism on a huge scale, Hitler made it more efficient and effective, but Mussolini started it all. Italy was in a similar situation to Argentina, people were panicking, prices were in constant flux, and no one trusted the government. When a strong leader came promising change people jumped.
ReplyDeleteI really like what Ashley said, When all else fails try something new. That was basically the mindset Argentina had throughout this process. They have tried multiple things and nothing seems to be working. This can be linked to Nazi Germany. When Peron went to Germany, he took note of all the success Hitler had using this style ruling. When Peron came back, he decided that, since nothing else has been working, how about we go to this.
ReplyDeleteItaly's Fascist rule began after WWI, because Italy was in such an economic downturn. Fascism insures the people that they will persevere. Fascism puts everyone on the same level, and the system doesn't allow for corporate greed, nor an attack from the country's enemies. Under one powerful leader with a
ReplyDelete"plan" to show the people, they were swept away. In the same sense that Americans looked toward FDR to be their superman, Argentinian people looked toward Fascist rule as a way to bail them out.
Fascism sounds really good for people, especially poor people. Fascist leaders are very proud of their countries and do everything they can to make their country the most powerful. People wanted to be able to live well and be apart of something big, and this opportunity came to Argentina. People enjoyed the idea of giving power to a fascist leader.
ReplyDeleteArgentina may be moving towards fascism because of the general dissatisfaction within the general populace. Argentina was becoming more and more nationalistic, which is an element of fascism. Furthermore, the political instability of the time opens an avenue for an ideology such as Fascism to gain support, especially when people are fed up with the existing political parties. This happened in Italy and in Germany.
ReplyDeleteI feel that anything has some fascism within it, especially during a time of economic crisis. Although the extent of how much 'fascism' i believe determines whether or not an economic or government could be classified as fascist. This happens because during times of economic crisis discipline is required to get the economy started again. Hannah's example of the 3rd wave class experiment is a great example of this. It demonstrates how the grades improve of those within the 3rd wave. It also shows how people are drawn to fascism, because the 3rd wave had over 200 members on its third day.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, there is no such a straight definition for any parties or political theory, there would always be left and right within any party. For example, the democract and republican kind of switch themselves through the history. The economy of Argentina was hit by the Great Depression which caused phychological issue of the mass community. Fascism from Europe might be a ideal way to monipulate demotic issue and search a level of self-esteem.
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