Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Islamofascists

Up to now I have shunned the epithet "Islamofascist" with reference to the current wave of jihadists (also reductively, and all-too conveniently labeled simply "terrorists"). I took exception because the current movement seemed to lack two crucial features of European fascism. These are 1) the maximum leader or führer; and 2) the glorification of a single nation - citadel of the "master race" - above all others. 

The current jihadist movement has up to now lacked a führer figure. However, IS seems to be nourishing a single leader or "caliph." Moreover, while the movement attracts followers from all over - most recently from India - it seems specifically focused on Arab nations - reconceived as THE Arab nation. Hence the term Islamofascism may be justified after all.

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