Where Were You In The Great War?

There was a British poster, during the World War, of a young child sitting on her father’s knee and asking, in all innocence, what he did during the war. The idea, clear to all at the time, was to embarrass all those who had not taken part, not served the fatherland in some form of military role, to awaken a nationalistic feeling, awaken patriotism for the country, and avoid having to explain themselves at a later date. The same level of patriotism, of being prepared to serve the country and, if necessary, sacrifice your life, was raised again during the Second World War, and then seemed to disappear from the island completely. Not that patriotism or a sense of nation disappeared, but the need to demand it. There has been no war since the end of the Forties which demanded such a high toll on society.

There have been wars, and many demands on those serving in the military, but the attitude toward military expansion, to the killing fields, and to a broken Europe changed as the various countries came together and saw the need to work, and live, in harmony. Not quite joining as one, and it is unlikely that the European Union will ever achieve that, but as a society of equals, defined by their differences, and living in harmony with one another. An ideal, no more, but achievable for many. And warfare has changed drastically since those dark times, not necessarily for the better, and not necessarily to the pleasure of many who look back on those days, which they probably did not experience in their own lifetimes, with something akin to desire.

The various societies in the United Kingdom and Europe have changed, as they have throughout the world. The changes are clear to see in the manner in which each country behaves toward their own citizens, to visitors, to those coming in from outside. It is no longer a matter of acceptance of the human spirit, of seeing what happened eighty years ago and trying to improve. For many – albeit still a minority – it is about protection of what they believe to be their own principles, their society, their traditions. For some, and the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union showed this amply, it was very much about Empire, lost traditions, purity of line and a personal belief in their own and their nation’s superiority over all others. This is the new war with which we are confronted, which we still have to fight and, as someone said many years ago, the threat does not come from outside. The threat is those living among us, as our neighbours, as members of our own society. Fascism did not die on the beaches of Normandy or in the ruins of Berlin. It moved across the land and settled down in small communities throughout Europe, growing slowly, and spreading its poison one person at a time.

There is a clear understanding of where the problem lies but, at the same time, a lack of ability or will to confront it forcefully and effectively. The so-called equal-handedness of the mass media, of government officials and politicians has allowed what was a mere sore to fester and grow, to learn its power and exploit it on every possible occasion. The Blackshirts of old have returned – and not just to Italy – and they feel comfortable displaying their growing power, not just in their original form and with the support of government, but also elsewhere and without that support. England experienced their presence recently: black-clad, masked men parading in Portsmouth without any real intervention from the authorities who, using legislation designed for exactly such an eventuality, are happy to arrest and incarcerate peaceful protestors who do not threaten society and the State.

At the same time we see various political parties emerging across Europe and in the United Kingdom who, had they been formed and active in the Seventies, would immediately have been classed as dangerous, as terrorists, and treated accordingly. A terrorist, or a terrorist organization is not necessarily one which plants bombs or shoots innocents in the street, but one which creates fear in society, one which threatens stability and the well-being of a community or country. And it does not matter if that organization is officially registered, or whether a person has been elected to a high position within government, it is their intentions that count, and the danger they bring to society. It is the propaganda they publish, the misinformation, the falsification. It is the invidious manner in which they form thoughts in other minds which, eventually, lead to masked protesters threatening stability, to the burning of hostels, and the attacking of minorities.

When we see the masked masses on the streets it is already too late. The political side of fascism is already active, the media has been taken in or taken over, the leadership roles have been strengthened and the poison spread. Government has been distracted and aims their barbs at the wrong side, refusing to face the truth and admit their mistakes. Strengthened by the weakness of those meant to be in power, by the complicity of those controlling the mass media, Fascism spreads its tentacles with populism and diversion into all forms of society, but especially those facing poverty, deprived communities, groups where education has never played a great role. The governments already know that there is a problem, otherwise why send riot police to protect a small campaign tent in a major city (photograph above), but shirt-sleeved officers for other protests? They already know that Fascism has taken hold, but do not know how to counteract it, do not appreciate that when you remove that which feeds the infestation, it must wither and die. Instead the monster is fed, and the people go hungry. The machine is fed with subvention, with subsidies, with financial aid which merely increase their profits, while removing resources from those the government should be there to protect and nurture.

The argument that there is no other way, that capitalism must be fed, must be subsidized, that major corporations must be allowed to underpay their workers while reaping in billions for shareholders does not hold water. It never has, and never will. This is where fascism can be defeated, and those who claim it is not possible, that the funds are not there, are lying to themselves as much as to the honest worker. The funds are always there, they are just being directed to the wrong people. Eighty years ago our ancestors defeated Fascism, and today government is paying them to return while, at the same time, actively fighting what could be done to restore civilization to our society. The way to follow has already been clearly laid out for all to see, and it is being followed without loss by some. Endangered still by the Fascists, by the capitalists, by the hardcore politicians who claim to know better, but work for lobbyists and capitalist interests, the rebirth of the fair society can be followed in New York. It is still early days, but better that politicians and those who claim to be in control turn their gaze there, and refute that which we all know will merely destroy.