One of the few surviving intellectuals, Umberto Eco, described the following as the characteristics of fascism. · The cult of Tradition: Elevation of a particular culture as superior to all others, rejection of modernism · Anti-intellectualism, irrationalism · Belief that disagreement is treason · Fear of difference · Appeal to a frustrated middle class, the fears and aspirations of the lower social groups are highlighted in order to accentuate the fears of the middle class · Obsession with a ‘plot’ and hyping up of an enemy threat: e.g. hatred of certain sections of the society · Aversion to pacifism · Contempt for the weak · Selective populism · ‘Newspeak’ or doublespeak meant to restrict critical thinking · Distorting history, blatantly lying, copious use of propaganda The Right Wing in India has been making ample use of all of the above ever since Mr Narendra Modi
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