Crypto-fascism
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Crypto-fascism is when a party or group secretly adheres to the doctrines of fascism while attempting to disguise it as another political movement. The term is in a similar vein to crypto-Judaism or crypto-Christianity, referring to the secret practice of one faith while adhering to another religion publicly.
[edit] Origins
The term is mainly credited to Gore Vidal. During a television interview during the chaos of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Vidal described William F. Buckley, Jr. as a "crypto-Nazi" and later corrected himself as meaning to describe him as a "crypto-fascist". The term has been used frequently in Gore Vidal's literature and by others, including Vidal's adherents.
According to several sources at the time, including Esquire Magazine, William F. Buckley's famous response to the term was, "Now, listen you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I'll sock you in the goddamn face." [1]
[edit] Revival
In America, the term crypto-fascist has been revived by some critics to describe the neoconservative movement, especially in reference to various national security measures taken after the September 11th attacks. Many neoconservatives consider the term offensive, and some have even called it hate speech.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
- Political Animals: Vidal, Buckley and the ’68 Conventions - Page dedicated to the debate in which the infamous crypto-Nazi statement was made by Gore Vidal. Sound files available.
