Political Works

"It lies within our power to defend our chosen democratic way of life against the attack of fascism, and the study Fascism in Action is offered as a weapon in that defense."

"In a narrow sense fascism is... the operation of the political, economic, and social institutions of the fascist state... [which] mobilizes all physical, social, and spiritual resources and activities... into a regimented whole. Primary emphasis is placed on power."

"The roots of modern fascism, especially the German, and to a less degree the Italian, may be traced to nineteenth century thought. However, it is economically a contemporary manifestation of mercantilism; politically an for world conquest; and spiritually a quasi-religious cult with special symbols and ritual."

"[T]he state is the most important power in all fascist thought and action. Everything must be subordinated to the state and... assist in promoting state ends... the... fascist program and world outlook (Weltanschauung)... [T]his reduces... to government by party leaders and small influential groups... as Junkers military officials, industrialists, and revolutionary juntas."

"[F]ascist leaders... use every instrument which will coerce people into obeying... propaganda and thought control... are... means of rationalizing acts of government... [and] devices for maximizing power."

"[T]he individual, his rights, privileges, freedom, and even existence itself are of secondary importance."

"In a speech... February 12, 1947, Senator Robert A. Taft summarized the democratic viewpoint...Liberty... means first, liberty of the Individual to choose his own occupation in life and to live and conduct his business as he sees fit so long as he does not thus interfere with the liberty of others; and second, the liberty of communities to govern themselves, to decide what the scope of their government activities shall be and how their children shall live and be educated. Equality means equal opportunity to get started in life, and equal justice under law before impartial s."

"Human life takes on great value only when it serves a state purpose. ...[T]he fascist citizen ...has a role to fill ...prescribed ...by the state. He is regimented... He must obey the injunctions of the state and its leaders... The state decides his living standards... He must submit to regulations, restrictions, and substitute diets... [of] the fascist controlled economy. Life consists of a multitude of duties and s... Failure to do one's part is... punishable by penalties designed to achieve obedience and conformity. ...[W]oe to him who criticizes or opposes the government or its representatives."

"In theory... the and state are conceived as... inseparable... The state is a function of the people... It is the form in which the people attains to historical reality..."

"Professor ... [i]n 1868... wrote, "A state is unable to commit any crime." This... paraphrased..l.l doctrines of Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762-1814)... who said:in relations with other States neither law nor right exists, except the right of the strongest. These relations place in the hands of the prince responsible to Fate the divine right of the Majesty of Destiny and of the Government of the world."

"The Nation must continue to offer livelihood and hope to its citizens or they may become the prey of any demagog who offers them the promise of something better which is in reality a fascist regime."

"A prime necessity in the defeat of fascism is... ."

"There must be a positive policy and a definite program for raising the national income and distributing it equitably so that people can buy the products of our economy. Some... consider this one of the most essential means for the destruction of incipient fascism."

"Education... must utilize home influences... newspapers... radio, and other... public communication."

"[O]ur educational system offers an excellent weapon, provided that we offer its advantages to all... regardless of... economic status or... location."

"must be given increased emphasis."

"The working class has more to fear from fascism than any other group."

"[P]ersistent and fearless exposure will kill pro-fascist organizations and discredit the individuals who have formed them. However... exposure may attract new adherents."

"[T]he best means of fighting fascism is to recognize it, no matter under what title it masquerades. Not all "hate" organizations are necessarily fascist, but they have... trends toward such..."

"$100,000,000 per year is donated to propaganda organizations, some of which show very definite fascist tendencies."

"Fascist Germany and Japan used the boasted efficiency of fascism to build mighty war machines to crush the "inefficient" democracies, but... Democracy and efficiency, even military efficiency, are not incompatible, and the democracies decisively defeated the fascist powers..."

"To many, fascism, particularly as it operated in Germany, seemed a model of order and efficiency. ...But the cost to the individual was heavy. The price was abolition of representative government, of individual liberty, of the rights of free speech, free assembly, free religion, a free press, and the principle of equality before the law."

"[F]ascism is today an everpresent danger to our democracy. We must consider... how to recognize its manifestations but also... combat it."

"Many... feel that all agreements between American firms and foreign firms should be made public. This would... expose attempts of foreign fascists to work through American sympathizers."

"[O]ne of the early acts of every fascist regime is the abolition of all labor organization outside government control."

"[F]ascism means the seizure and control of the economic, social, political, and cultural life of the state by a small group. Free speech, free press, free worship, and public meetings are ruthlessly suppressed. Blind obedience to the leader is demanded... and the slightest wavering means death or imprisonment... Restrictive policies may be carried on against... [one's] entire family. A fascist regime is... militaristic and nationalistic."

"The world today is faced with a dangerous manifestation of... fascism. ...[T]here is marked agreement as to its objective characteristics."

"[T]here are many strong symptoms of fascism in our own democratic society. ...[T]his movement in the United States masquerades under other names ...but ...its peculiar characteristics are alarmingly evident."

"At my request, the Legislative Reference Service of the has prepared a study of Fascism in Action as an aid to the American citizen in protecting himself and his children against this most dangerous movement of modern times."

"How thoroughly these principles were applied by Hitler... he... with only apparent inconsistency, could say in 1935... "National Socialism has no aggressive intentions against any European nation";17 in 1936, "we have no territorial demands to make in Europe"18 (shortly thereafter to foment the international crisis over the Sudeten lands of ); in 1938, "we do not want any Czechs"19 (annexation shortly thereafter); in January 1939, "in these weeks we are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the conclusion of the nonaggression pact with Poland. Between them and us peace and understanding shall reign"20 (unannounced invasion came 8 months later); in September 1938, "we have called upon the constructive elements in all countries to fight in common against "21 (to be followed in 1939, by a nonaggression pact hailed as a "triumph for common sense").22"

"During the sixteenth century, Niccolo Machiavelli... in... The Prince (1513): "The Prince must know how to do wrong." This idea the fascist state joins with the thought that political frontiers are... power-political situations... a temporary front line held... during the lull between wars.14 Nations... must grow or wither, expand or decline, but... cannot stand still.15 The struggle for... space and power is unavoidable and everlasting. ...[T]he state and ...leader must do everything, regardless of... [ethics], which... promote... interests of his State. The leader "must not fear to kill nor to bear the brand of infamy."16 Treaties which stand in the way... must be regarded as "scraps of paper"... falsehood and deceit are... instruments of international politics."

"[M]ake certain that the existing government operates honestly and efficiently."

"[F]ascism... means... [e]very person must think and act at the command of a higher authority. Every school, church, home, and business is carefully controlled by the dominant party. The concentration camp or death await the citizen who offers opposition..."

"All fascist thought starts from... [an] idea... that "a people" form a "natural community" which "becomes conscious of its solidarity and strives to form itself, to develop itself, to defend itself, to realize itself." The nation and state... become the vehicles by which a people reaches its goals."

"We must be vigilant, for the conspirators would destroy all that we have built up, and make of our country, a barracks, a prison and a shambles."

"[O]ur best defence against fascism is to STRENGTHEN OUR OWN ORGANISATION. Let us work towards an increased membership for our trade unions, the Labour Party, the Co-operatives, and all working-class organisations ; and, above all, everywhere within these organisations let us preach vigilance, VIGILANCE, VIGILANCE."

"We can defeat fascism... if we are determined and if we spread the facts. And if we stand unitedly together, whatever our respective opinions or organisations, in this fight."

"We must not sleep, we who believe in liberty, for the jackals may creep upon us unawares. We must not see England, Scotland, Wales—countries which we love, although conditions are by no means perfect within them—turned into grim lands where those who labour must move at the crack of the whip, wielded by the fascist agents of the exploiters of labour."

"In a trade union anti-fascist publication entitled Fascism, published by the — to which the great transport workers' unions of Britain and other countries are affiliated — a writer states as follows:"Between trade unionism and National-Socialism (fascism) no compromise is possible; under National-Socialist dictatorship there is no room for free workers' organisations. To-day, after three years of fascism in Germany, there is no more difference of opinion on this point, but when in 1932 the (German) unions had to decide whether or not to engage in open struggle for their existence, they hesitated and yielded, in the hope that some miracle would save them. Their yielding proved fatal.""

"[[Liberty|[L]iberties]] are threatened. Let us hasten to defend them, here and now."

"YOU who have read this pamphlet — trade unionist, cooperator, or wife, son or daughter of trade unionist or cooperator — it is YOUR job to help this fight."

"WE CAN BEGIN RIGHT NOW TO COMBAT FASCISM. The first step is EDUCATION—we must tell the truth about fascism at every opportunity: at our branch meetings, on the job, in the pub or on our way to the football game—wherever we come together with other workers."

"[Y]ou will easily find other workers who are carrying on the anti-fascist agitation. JOIN IN WITH THEM. HELP THEM. DO YOUR BIT."

"[W]hat we have described stands also for conditions in Italy, and in certain other countries where fascism... has considerable power. It is to establish a similar tyranny that the Spanish "Nationalists," under General Franco, are seeking to overthrow the Spanish Government, which recognises the right of the workers to organise in trade unions and to endeavour to improve their conditions."

"British fascists adopted uniforms similar to those of the German fascists... those of the German hooligan Black Guards who so brutally beat and tortured working people. They have added to the name... —the additional title of National-Socialist Party... and... are following the example of the German fascists... resentment against the Jews. ...[T]hey tell the unemployed, and others whose lot is unhappy, that the Jews are responsible. ...[T]hey seek to divert ...attention from ...true facts, just as did Hitler and his followers."

"We can see that others secure copies of this pamphlet, that our branch or Co-op Guild places an order for it."

"[W]herever fascism makes its appearance, rearmament proceeds at a feverish rate, and the country is... fast driven on to war. The fascists cannot remedy poverty at home ...So their energies are turned OUTWARD ...towards war and conquest. Fascism leads directly to war."

"Last September (1936), 300 men on public assistance in the town of Breslau were ordered.... to report at the railway station.... They were not told where they were being sent, nor for how long. They were taken to Koenigsberg, in East Prussia... They were segregated in a camp, their letters were all censored, they worked under military discipline and received nothing beyond bed and board for full-time work. Such cases occur frequently."

"[Y]ou will hear British fascists quoting figures, referring to Germany or Italy, of the International Labour Office of the League of Nations, as though... arrived at by an independent agency. They do not tell you that ...[i]t merely ACCEPTS THE FIGURES SUPPLIED IT BY THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THE FASCIST GOVERNMENTS. It has no machinery for testing them... Thus, I.L.O. figures, regarding Germany, are the German Nazi government's own figures..."

"there is in Germany what is called the "underground movement," the maintenance in secret of working-class party organisations, and even trade union bodies. Handbills are thrust under the doors of working-class dwellings, overnight placards — secretly printed — are pasted on the walls, and appeals are chalked on walls. ...A working-class movement such as that in Germany—which... produced men like André", who was recently executed, the writer, , and the indomitable Thaelmann and Mierendorff, among others, who have been in prison, without trial, for years — can never finally be defeated, although this movement has received a severe set-back. But the struggle against fascism in Germany goes on. We can help that struggle by fighting fascism here in Britain."