Not all fascists wear jackboots.
Topic: Politics
I thought I was pretty clear what I meant when I talked about Islamic fascism. But a few weeks ago I got this in the comments box from 'Politico'.

"Mostly the recent islamic fundamental terror can be descibed as closer to the extreme left terror cells of the 1970's. Mr Young proves his usual ignorance yet again in describing them as fascists - I wish they were, they would be far easier to confront.

Fascists are described as nationalistic, possibly racist. They are ordered and identifiable by uniform, by strict command structures with a talismanic leader to glorify. They are vocal, proud and open. They value displaying their power and glory. They thus emphasise strength through marches and demonstations, common identity, uniform and behavior. They don't hide. They go underground as a last resort, if at all. Very little of this applies to most muslim fundamentalists, and this is why Al-Qaeda, contrary to Young's proclamation over a year ago - are not defeated. Their fluid informal structures will be extremely difficult to destroy, especially by braindead american neo-cons. One muslim organisation that is definately fascistic is The Nation Of Islam. Unfortunately they are not the enemy, yet."

Politico describes the superficial manifestations of past fascism, but overlooks the more important ideological features. Wikipedia has this to say:

"The term fascism has come to mean any system of government resembling Mussolini's, that in various combinations:

- exalts the nation, (and in some cases the race, culture, or religion) above the individual, with the state apparatus being supreme.
- stresses loyalty to a single leader.
- uses violence and modern techniques of propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition.
- engages in severe economic and social regimentation.
- engages in syndicalist corporatism.
- implements totalitarian systems."

It is the supremacy of authority over the individual that is the core issue. Yesterday's fascists wore black shirts and jackboots. Today's don't. Politico is correct in saying that the Islamic fascists are employing tactics more like those of the Symbionese Liberation Army and the Baader-Meinhof gang than Hitler's Brownshirts, but the objective of submitting the will of the individual to the power of (religious) authority is the same.