The "F" Word

·53 min·4 clips

Umberto Eco's 14 tenets reveal how to spot fascist tendencies in modern politics.

This episode of Weird, Wicked, and Wild examines the concept of fascism and its potential modern parallels. The hosts, a historian and a co-host, analyze current political trends through a historical lens. They introduce Umberto Eco's 1995 essay "Ur-Fascism," which outlines 14 common characteristics of fascist regimes. Eco argued that observing three or four of these traits in a government should cause alarm. The first tenet is a "cult of tradition," which the hosts connect to movements like MAGA and Christian nationalism that idealize a past era. The second is the "rejection of modernism," exemplified by historical fascist regimes and linked to contemporary attacks on transgender rights and climate science. Third is "action for action's sake," illustrated by Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia and compared to rapid executive orders and the January 6th Capitol attack. The fourth characteristic is the view that "dissent is treason," seen in Franco's Spain and modern rhetoric labeling media as "enemies of the people." Fifth is the "fear of difference," manifesting as racism or xenophobia, which the hosts relate to current anti-immigration policies and executive orders targeting LGBTQ+ people. The sixth tenet is an "appeal to a frustrated middle class," a tactic used by Hitler and Mussolini that the hosts see in modern political messaging despite wealth disparities. The seventh trait is an "obsession with a plot," such as historical fears of communist or Jewish conspiracies, compared to modern narratives about election fraud or "witch hunts." Eighth is portraying the enemy as simultaneously "strong and weak," a tactic used against Jews in Nazi Germany and compared to rhetoric about immigrants. Ninth is treating "pacifism as trafficking with the enemy," historically seen in Nazi Germany and linked to modern disparagement of peaceful protest. A surprising claim is that Eco's framework suggests fascism is not a historical relic but a recurring pattern observable with specific criteria. The hosts draw direct, provocative parallels between 20th-century fascist regimes and current U.S. political events and rhetoric. They highlight the paradox of a leader portraying himself as a populist hero while embodying elite billionaire status disconnected from the middle class. Memorable moments include the co-host's visceral reaction to misogynistic and ableist rhetoric, describing it as "icky" and "cringe." The analysis of the "cult of heroism and death" extends to the imagery and political exploitation of an assassination attempt. The hosts note the strategic use of chaos and conspiracy theories to divert public attention from other governmental actions. The tone is conversational and investigative, blending historical education with contemporary political commentary. The style is direct and opinionated, with the hosts freely sharing their personal anxieties and interpretations of current events. Listeners interested in political history and critical analysis of modern authoritarian trends would find this episode compelling. Those who prefer apolitical content or disagree with the hosts' foundational premises might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A plainspoken take on authoritarian habits and why community still matters.

Weird, Wicked, and Wild starts with a sharp warning about authoritarianism in the United States and across the Western world, then stays with the familiar machinery behind it: fear, scapegoating, and the way a frustrated middle class can get pulled in.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want a timely look at authoritarianism, fascism, and how those ideas show up in public life.

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