A Sneak Bear Necessities Peak - Fascism

Eleven Days Until Release!

So, with just eleven days to go until Bear Necessities is officially comes out, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share a little bit more of what to expect in the book - and specifically, in the chapter where we discuss Fascism.

This was not my favourite chapter to write (that honour goes to Technocracy), but along with Nationalism, I think it was an important one. So without further ado, below is an excerpt from the chapter in which we discuss Modern Fascism.

I would say "enjoy", but this isn't a particularly amusing subject, is it?

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Modern Fascism: Same Old Tricks, New Branding

Fascism didn’t die with Hitler in his bunker or Mussolini hanging from a lamppost in Milan. It didn’t fade quietly into the annals of history, a tragic lesson never to be repeated. Instead, it rebranded. Fascism evolved, slipped into new clothes, and learned to speak a different language while clinging fiercely to the same authoritarian playbook. In today’s world, you’re less likely to see fascists openly waving swastikas or parading through the streets in brownshirts, but the underlying messages remain disturbingly familiar: hyper-nationalism, authoritarian leadership, and a deep-seated distrust of immigrants, minorities, and anyone deemed an “other.”

Let’s start with a clear example: Hungary. Under Viktor Orbán, Hungary has increasingly moved toward what Orbán himself proudly calls “illiberal democracy.” Nationalist rhetoric, a crackdown on independent media, the demonisation of immigrants, and sweeping control over the judiciary have all become part of Orbán’s governance style. He positions himself as the defender of European Christian values against the “threat” of multiculturalism and Islam. It’s a play straight from the fascist handbook, just with fewer armbands.

Then there’s Poland, where the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) has systematically undermined judicial independence and cracked down on LGBTQ+ rights, all while positioning itself as the protector of the Polish nation against external threats—be they the European Union, migrants, or liberalism itself. Nationalism has been weaponised, and once again, the idea of the nation-state, pure and indivisible, is pitted against an imagined enemy that threatens to destabilise “traditional values.”

Across the Atlantic, Brazil has flirted with its own brand of fascist tendencies under Jair Bolsonaro. His presidency was marked by extreme right-wing populism, nationalist rhetoric, and a dangerous disregard for democratic norms. Bolsonaro consistently undermined democratic institutions, demonised political opponents, and fuelled division, all while riding a wave of economic discontent and fear. His rule was a mix of militaristic nostalgia and authoritarian governance that should send shivers down anyone’s spine. And even with him out of office, the political ecosystem that allowed him to thrive hasn’t disappeared.

And then, of course, there’s the United States, where fascist ideas have found new life under the guise of populism. Donald Trump’s presidency brought authoritarianism back into the mainstream in a way that hadn't been seen in generations. From his open disdain for democratic norms—encouraging violence, threatening opponents, undermining elections, and appealing to white nationalist sentiments—to his use of scapegoating immigrants and Muslims, Trump’s America walked perilously close to the fascist edge. Even after losing the 2020 election, Trump’s influence on the far-right continues to cast a long shadow. The Capitol insurrection of January 6, 2021, was a terrifying display of how far-right populism, fuelled by lies and conspiracies, can spiral into open violence. The spectre of fascism has re-emerged in America’s far-right movements, like the Proud Boys, white supremacist groups, and other militia-style organisations emboldened by Trump's rhetoric.

France has also seen the rise of far-right populism with Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. Though she’s attempted to soften the image of her party by dropping overtly racist language, her platform remains grounded in anti-immigrant, nationalist, and anti-EU policies. Le Pen has carefully repackaged far-right ideas into a brand more palatable for mainstream voters, but the underlying themes of exclusion, control, and national supremacy are all too familiar.

Even in Germany, a country that has tried to reckon deeply with its Nazi past, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has gained a troubling foothold. Openly xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and nostalgic for a Germany of the past, the AfD has used economic discontent and fears about immigration to rally support. It’s a chilling reminder that even in a country where the horrors of Fascism are part of the national memory, authoritarian nationalism can still rear its ugly head. What’s frightening is that these movements aren’t confined to a fringe—they’ve made their way into the political mainstream. Politicians, eager to capitalise on growing fear and economic insecurity, have adopted fascist rhetoric in their appeals to voters. Calls for militarisation, crackdowns on dissent, and the erosion of civil liberties in the name of “security” are all straight from the Fascist playbook. Once confined to the extreme right, these ideas are now openly discussed in parliaments and campaign trails across the world.

And then there’s the internet. In the digital age, the rise of fascism has found a new, terrifyingly effective battleground online. Far-right extremism has spread faster than ever, with online echo chambers amplifying nationalist, xenophobic, and violent rhetoric. Social media platforms have become recruitment tools for fascist movements, allowing them to exploit economic instability, racial anxieties, and social unrest to stoke division and hatred. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and even private messaging apps have enabled fascists to find each other, organise, and radicalise others. This online breeding ground for extremism has already had real-world consequences.

From mass shootings inspired by white supremacist ideologies to the open embrace of “Great Replacement” theories by far-right leaders, the internet has proven to be a powerful weapon in the fascist arsenal. It’s no longer just the strongman leaders we need to fear—it’s the countless anonymous voices online, radicalising a new generation and bringing fascist ideologies into the homes of millions. What’s most terrifying is how normalised these authoritarian tendencies have become.

In the rush to capitalise on fear and economic uncertainty, mainstream politicians are increasingly borrowing from the Fascist playbook, all while disguising it with more palatable language. They talk about “law and order,” “national pride,” “wanting our country back”, and “protecting our way of life,” but the echoes of Fascism are unmistakable. The risks we face are clear: when authoritarianism becomes mainstream, democracy itself is at stake. Fascism may have rebranded, but its core remains unchanged—a belief in power, control, and division. If we don’t confront it head-on, we may find ourselves marching once again towards disaster.

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