Fascists need an “other” to demonize. They delight in the cruelty towards the “other”. The executive order gives them a sense of accomplishment, further strengthening the group bonds as they enjoy the suffering of the “other” together.
It really is as simple as “the cruelty is the point”. It helps them because they desire to inflict cruelty, and this gives them a method for doing so.
I don’t think he delights in anything but having people tell him how great he is. This is textbook fascism. You got the part right thay they need an other group to demonize, just don’t think there is even that much depth to them.
And the lesson the rank-and-file never seem to learn is once the other is eliminated, the fascists always turn inward, and begin eliminating each other. Unfortunately, their death toll is always quite high once they implode – sometimes in the millions.
It’s a death cult, though, and no matter how white or pious or privileged you think you are, they will come for you once they run out of ‘proper’ enemies, because without an enemy, fascism is nothing.
Oh I should have been more clear: Trump’s supporters delight in cruelty towards others. You’re right that Trump just does whatever makes his supporters cheer for him; he’s a textbook narcissist who craves attention. “Build the wall” for example, was a talking point his advisers gave him. He apparently thought it was stupid, but when his crowds of supporters cheered for it he went on to make it central to his campaign and identity.
Fascists need an “other” to demonize. They delight in the cruelty towards the “other”. The executive order gives them a sense of accomplishment, further strengthening the group bonds as they enjoy the suffering of the “other” together.
It really is as simple as “the cruelty is the point”. It helps them because they desire to inflict cruelty, and this gives them a method for doing so.
I don’t think he delights in anything but having people tell him how great he is. This is textbook fascism. You got the part right thay they need an other group to demonize, just don’t think there is even that much depth to them.
And the lesson the rank-and-file never seem to learn is once the other is eliminated, the fascists always turn inward, and begin eliminating each other. Unfortunately, their death toll is always quite high once they implode – sometimes in the millions.
It’s a death cult, though, and no matter how white or pious or privileged you think you are, they will come for you once they run out of ‘proper’ enemies, because without an enemy, fascism is nothing.
Oh I should have been more clear: Trump’s supporters delight in cruelty towards others. You’re right that Trump just does whatever makes his supporters cheer for him; he’s a textbook narcissist who craves attention. “Build the wall” for example, was a talking point his advisers gave him. He apparently thought it was stupid, but when his crowds of supporters cheered for it he went on to make it central to his campaign and identity.