"Fascism will come at the hands of perfectly authentic Americans, as violently against Hitler and Mussolini as the next one, but who are convinced that the present economic system is washed up and that the present political system in America has outlived its usefulness and who wish to commit this country to the rule of the bureaucratic state; interfering in the affairs of the states and cities; taking part in the management of industry and finance and agriculture; assuming the role of great national banker and investor, borrowing billions every year and spending them on all sorts of projects through which such a government can paralyze opposition and command public support; marshaling great armies and navies at crushing costs to support the industry of war and preparation for war which will become our greatest industry; and adding to all this the most romantic adventures in global planning, regeneration, and domination all to be done under the authority of a powerfully centralized government in which the executive will hold in effect all the powers with Congress reduced to the role of a debating society. There is your fascist. And the sooner America realizes this dreadful fact the sooner it will arm itself to make an end of American fascism masquerading under the guise of the champion of democracy."
—John T. Flynn, As We Go Marching, 1944
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John T. Flynn's quote from his 1944 book "As We Go Marching" presents a cautionary perspective on the potential rise of fascism in America, not from external enemies or threats, but from within its own political and economic systems. This quote reflects Flynn's concerns about the expansion of state power and bureaucracy, as well as the potential for manipulation of public opinion through large-scale projects and military endeavors. His views are grounded in a critique of government overreach and the dangers of unchecked executive power.
The Source of Fascism: Flynn argues that fascism in America would come not from foreign ideologies or invaders, but from "perfectly authentic Americans" disillusioned with the current economic and political system. His emphasis here is on how domestic discontent can potentially be manipulated towards authoritarian ends.
The Bureaucratic State: Flynn warns of a future in which the federal government becomes excessively involved in all aspects of society, from local affairs to the management of industry, finance, and agriculture. In his view, this level of control could lead to a "bureaucratic state," which he associates with fascist regimes.
National Banker and Investor: The federal government, in Flynn's view, could also assume the role of a national banker and investor, borrowing and spending heavily. This, in turn, might allow the government to manipulate public opinion by investing in popular projects, and potentially to "paralyze opposition".
Military-Industrial Complex: Flynn's prediction here seems to anticipate what President Eisenhower would later call the "military-industrial complex." He warns that supporting large armies and navies could become the country's "greatest industry," with the implication that war and the preparation for war could become central to the nation's economy and political life.
Global Ambitions: Flynn also fears that such a government might engage in "romantic adventures in global planning, regeneration, and domination," suggesting an aggressive, imperialistic foreign policy as another possible characteristic of this form of fascism.
Centralized Government Power: Finally, Flynn cautions that in such a scenario, the executive branch could accumulate an inordinate amount of power, reducing Congress to a mere "debating society." This represents a fundamental shift from democratic principles and systems of checks and balances.
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S5E18 1944 What Fascism in America, Fascists in America, will look like, the famous quote from John T. Flynn's 1944 book As We Go Marching. read by me