Mini-Theory Blog: Eichmann Shrugged

NinaIllingworth November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Adolf Eichmann, Amerikan Musik, antifascism, blog, chicken coup, Civil Rights, Democratic Party, democratic rights, electoral politics, FA1, fascism, fascist coup, fascist creep, GOP, instagram, January 6th 2021, left wing theory, legal fascism, Little Eichmanns, Mini Theory Blog, NIDC, Nina Illingworth, pogroms, Politics, Pork Reich, Republicans, smash fascism, social media, Socialism, ST2, Theory, Trumpism, US midterms

Editor’s note: Our Mini-Theory Blog is a weekday feature on Instagram that examines one key left wing idea, theory, or concept in 2200 keystrokes or less. Want more? Click here to subscribe to NIDC today.

The harsh reality of our present situation is that no matter what the outcome of the 2022 US midterm elections, the country, and indeed the broader Pig Empire, remain likely to continue freefalling into fascism. Some combination of reactionary propaganda, a way of life built to justify capitalist exploitation, and the unfathomable power of rich sociopaths in our “democratic” society virtually ensures this fight will continue beyond the ballot box. After all, even if the fascists win the elections they’re trying to rig as we speak, that doesn’t mean decent Americans have to kneel down and obey the Pork Reich order.

By that same measure however, it’s important not to let the possibility of resisting fascism outside of the electoral process give us a false sense of confidence in the strength of liberal democratic institutions. One of the most difficult truths for “serious people” in our society to accept is that if Trump’s chicken coup on January 6th, 2021 had succeeded in ending American democracy right there on the spot, most folks still would have gone to work the next morning as if nothing had happened. The same will be true if the American fascist party seizes both the Senate, and the House in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Finally of course, it must be remembered that a great number of Americans who have a vested class interest in opposing fascism, simply don’t care, and might even perhaps enjoy fascism as long as the fallout hits their preferred enemies first. In the long run, covertly-fascist propaganda, mainstream anti-communism, and the exaltation of ruling class capitalist parasites have birthed a nation of dispassionately spiteful “little Eichmanns” who will be only too happy to help march folks who oppose fascism to the waiting boxcars as long as they figure there’s something in it for themselves.

The law may well just be things written down on paper. And it is indeed true that electoral politics does not decide whether or not a society ultimately falls to fascism. But having a chance to fight for our free existence, is not the same thing as winning that fight. You can’t shrug your way through fascism.

PS: Wondering why you’re reading this on NIDC? Check out our winter website update notice for more information.