The 14 Signs of Fascism

How does the US measure up?

These are the 14 signs or markers to gauge where a government aligns and how it treats the people. While not all must be present at once, the more that appear, the more a society edges toward authoritarian rule.

Powerful and continuing nationalism
A constant appeal to national pride is used to unify the public while branding dissenters as traitors.

Disdain for human rights
Civil liberties and legal protections are routinely ignored or stripped from marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Identification of enemies/scapegoats
Blame is focused on specific groups; immigrants, minorities, activists—to create fear and justify repression.

Supremacy of the military
Law enforcement and military forces are exalted and heavily funded, often deployed against domestic dissent.

Rampant sexism and religious control
Gender roles are strictly enforced, and religious doctrine is used to shape public policy and suppress rights.

Obsession with national security
Fear is weaponized to curtail freedoms, expand surveillance, and silence opposition under the guise of safety.

Corporate power protected
Big business and the state become intertwined, with corporate interests prioritized over the public good.

Labor power suppressed
Unions are attacked, workers’ rights are rolled back, and organizing is met with legal and physical resistance.

Controlled mass media and disdain for intellectuals
Independent journalism and academia are vilified, defunded, or censored to control public perception.

Obsession with crime and punishment
Harsh punishments and mass incarceration are normalized, often targeting those already marginalized.

Cronyism and corruption
Loyalty replaces competence in public appointments, and oversight mechanisms are dismantled or ignored.

Fraudulent elections
Voting is undermined through suppression, propaganda, and manipulation of electoral processes.

Rampant surveillance
The state monitors its citizens extensively, especially activists and those viewed as threats to authority.

Authoritarian control of law and order
Judicial independence is attacked, court rulings are ignored, and law enforcement becomes a tool of political power.