Islamic Fascism by Richard W.
Crockett
President Bush made a
statement the other day characterizing the Islamic radicals as ÒIslamic
Fascists.Ó He employed the term Òfascists,Ó I believe, for a reason: He wanted
to convey the image of complete evil in his characterization of Hezbollah. The
term, ÒfascismÓ does that. Fascism has been characterized as a Òrevolution of
NihilismÓ which is a revolution without a doctrine, and as such it is a Òrevolt
against reason.Ó One fascist writer in England claimed it is a Òreal
insurrection — an insurrection of feeling — a mutiny of men against the
conditions of the modem world.Ó While these characterizations do not give
fascism an ideology, they do emphasize an important aspect of fascism, and of
radical Islam. They are driven by ÒfeelingsÓ and seem to repudiate
"reason" in contacts with their adversaries.
The repudiation of reason
is like Òthinking with the blood,Ó e.g., passion, hot tempered, emotionally
responding with their feelings. It is antagonistic toward Òreason,Ó rational
calculation, and the tolerance of ambiguity required for success in all
politics and diplomacy. People who Òthink with their bloodÓ cannot be dislodged
from their views. Their adherence to their position is because of their anger
at perceived historical injustices or unresolved grievances. The process is one
of emotion, not cognition, hatred, not reconciliation, and it rejects logic and
evidence.
I have a point of agreement
with President Bush, which is rare for me. I believe that the term, ÒIslamic
fascistÓ is a fair characterization of Islamic radicalism. It is in a very real
sense for the Islamic radicals a revolt against the conditions of the modem
world. This is true for the Islamic radical whether it be regarding the modem
geographic location of a Jewish state, or the Taliban-like subjugation of
women, or even modern trends toward a secularization of culture. The Islamic
radical like the fascist repudiates doctrine in favor of methodology,
repudiates order in favor of organization, repudiates reason in favor of
passion, repudiates deliberation in favor of action, repudiates truth in favor
of myth, repudiates secularism in favor of faith, repudiates republicanism,
democracy, socialism and liberalism in favor of a Òwill to power,Ó and finally,
repudiates the traditions of Western Civilization in favor of a revolt against
the conditions of the modem world.