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188 points zfg | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0.422s | source
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globalise83 ◴[] No.43470944[source]
Bear in mind the drop in deliveries from Musk's fascist antics isn't even reflected in this data yet due to lag time between sales and delivery.
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tlogan ◴[] No.43471550[source]
Honest question: how is Musk “fascist”?

A core feature of historical fascism is a significantly expanded government. For example, under Mussolini’s regime (1922–1943), the Italian state dramatically increased its control over the economy — by 1939, it controlled over 80% of shipping and shipbuilding, and around 75% of iron and steel production. He also significantly expanded the state bureaucracy to enforce fascist ideology — from education to the media.

I’m not defending Musk’s behavior or suggesting anything, but labeling him “fascist” doesn’t seem historically accurate.

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1. Cthulhu_ ◴[] No.43472299[source]
Would you agree to calling him and Trump authoritarian or in support of moving towards an authoritarian regime, then? It is "characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in democracy, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law." Musk's role is in "Ill-defined executive powers, often vague and shifting, used to extend the power of the executive." (Juan Linz, An Authoritarian Regime: Spain, also yes I'm quoting from wikipedia because why not).
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2. tlogan ◴[] No.43476149[source]
Before calling something authoritarian, ask: who’s actually in control?

If a regime can’t control education, is shrinking the size of government, and is expanding individual rights (e.g., gun rights), can it truly be called authoritarian?

The issue with much of the modern left is that it often misidentifies the problem. The left should be focused on advocating for the working class and the poor. After all, figures like Trump and Elon Musk clearly align more with the wealthy elite.

But the current left seems dominated by affluent, highly educated people, and instead of class-focused politics, it often resorts to dramatic labels that don’t reflect reality.

Step one in solving any problem is understanding it. And that starts with asking harder questions, not just repeating slogans.