From owner-marxism-international  Mon Apr 21 11:35:33 1997
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 11:25:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: Gerald Levy <glevy@pratt.edu>
Subject: M-I: Re: who's a fascist? 
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.970421112506.23130B-100000@termserv.pratt.edu>

> The same localizing/trivializing of (in order to legitimate) 
> violence informs Jerry Levy's "defense" of the fascist practices of
> Rodwell. What Levy misses is the fact that posing a question (...) is an
> attempt NOT at production of knowledge but is a strategy of surveillance
> and punishment (GIVE ME THE R I G H T answer or else).  This is Hugh
> Rodwell's strategy. This is the favored strategy of all fascists. 

Well ... using the above understanding ...

a) all game show hosts are fascists;

b) all parents are fascists;

c) adults in general in dealing with children frequently ask questions 
and demand answers as well. That makes them all fascists.

d) pet owners, as well, are fascists.

And so on. 

Indeed, using the above understanding, we now not  only live in a world 
where just about everyone is a fascist but *have always* lived in a world 
dominated by fascists. Thus, as sooon as the first authoritarian 
structure came into the pre-modern world, fascism dominated. Thus, 
the term "fascism" becomes an ahistorical category devoid of all meaning 
and substance.

There is, of course, a historical basis to the RMC's use of the term -- 
rooted in the history of Stalinism and Maoism. That history began with 
the Communist International's "Third Period" and the KPD's refusal to 
enter into a united front with the Social Democratic Party in Germany 
because the SPD, it was claimed, was "social fascist."   Farce then    
turned into tragedy when Hitler was elected Chancellor.    

Jerry



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