‘In a fascist process, there is always a point of no return, a moment when it is too late. I think, in the US, we are on the brink of that’, Dutch writer and America expert Geert Mak told VRT News. He warns about the outcome of the midterm elections this autumn. But Mak also sees institutions that can offer resistance.
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‘The US is in a fascist process heading towards a point of no return’
Colin Clapson
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The heavy-handed approach of the US immigration service ICE raises questions about the state of American democracy. Dutch author Geert Mak, who has written several books about the US, sees clear parallels with the 1920s and 1930s.
'Fascism is an ideology, and you see elements of it in Trump's circles, such as a desire for purity and anti-immigrant rhetoric. It is also a process of taking over a state. You see this when you compare it to Mussolini's Italy in the 1920s and the National Socialists in Germany in the 1930s,' says Mak.
What does this mean in concrete terms? 'It starts with casting suspicion on the democratic process, casting suspicion on the judiciary and casting suspicion on the bureaucracy,’ says the 79-year-old author.
‘You start a mass movement based on a feeling of deep dissatisfaction and humiliation. If such a movement is lucky, it can hook up with an existing group. From there, you can gain power and eventually end up at the heart of the power structure, where you can entrench yourself in all the power structures. Trump is currently working hard towards this.’
‘Another very important part of this is establishing your own militia,’ says Mak, referring to the situation with ICE in Minneapolis.
Differences too
Mak says that so far, he has been cautious with the term “fascism”, because there are also major differences. ‘It is a 20th-century ideology; we are living in a different time now,’ he says.
‘One very clear difference is that we are now discussing images that everyone has seen. In the 1920s and 1930s, a lot remained hidden.’
‘The fascist movements of that time were very future-oriented. They wanted to embrace modern times and take care of their own supporters. Now they are very nostalgic, just look at the slogan “Make America great again”.’
A potential adversary
The author understands NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is trying to remain on good terms with Trump despite everything. ‘We cannot afford to let NATO fall apart. Not yet anyway. There is no other option.’
‘In five years' time, NATO may look very different. We now have to get through a difficult and dangerous phase,’ says Mak, who emphasises that the US and Europe have been intertwined for 80 years.
Should we now view the US as an enemy? ‘Certainly as a potential adversary,’ replies Mak.
The advantage is that the last few weeks have shaken everyone awake, he says. The author also sees institutions that can offer resistance: the judiciary, the states and the military.
Within the army, there is a long tradition of cooperation with European allies, Mak emphasises. ‘You can't just turn that around.’