Fernando Horta: How would fascism solve the country's economic problems?

In an article, historian Fernando Horta questions what solutions groups identified with fascism would have for the severe economic depression that has hit Brazil since the 2016 parliamentary coup; "The loosening of rules to combat slave labor is merely the transfer of the same economic and social plan now to the countryside. After all, large landowners also want to participate in the new social pact of 'rebuilding the country.' Rebuilding with the super-exploitation of the poor, black people, women, and rural workers. Everyone must contribute, they will cynically say," he stated.

October 20, 2017, 11:14 PMUpdated June 27, 2018, 13:52 pm

In an article, historian Fernando Horta questions what solutions groups identified with fascism would have for the severe economic depression that has hit Brazil since the 2016 parliamentary coup; "The loosening of rules to combat slave labor is merely the transfer of the same economic and social plan now to the countryside. After all, large landowners also want to participate in the new social pact of 'rebuilding the country.' Rebuilding with the super-exploitation of the poor, black people, women, and rural workers. Everyone must contribute, they will cynically say," he stated (Photo: Aquiles Lins).

247 - In an article, historian Fernando Horta questions what solutions groups identified with fascism would have for the severe economic depression that has hit Brazil since the 2016 parliamentary coup.

"For the poor to be accepted into the fascist pact, they must be white and Christian. In any model for solving economic crises, there is always an open or implicit idea of reducing the group of people to whom the solutions apply. And the first cut is always racial," says Horta, in an article in... GGN newspaper.

According to the historian, non-white populations end up not only being the most affected by the environment of the economic crisis, but also end up being left out of any strategic plan for economic or social solutions.

"Fascism only offers an economic solution to society's problems by increasing the expropriation of white workers, increasing the profits of capitalist elites, and segregating non-whites or non-Christians from any pact. Furthermore, there is a social and economic burden on women, who are deprived of their achievements and placed once again in the position of domestic servants and reproducers, excluded from any political participation," she states.

"It is necessary to exclude in order to recover the economy. Here is the point of convergence between liberals and fascists. There is not room for everyone in the 'budget'. And who will be the 'chosen ones' who can enter? The meritocratic white, rich or middle class. For the poor, the rule remains that they must be white, Christian and agree that their character flaws (lack of preparation and leniency) are responsible for their social condition. They need to agree to be almost enslaved and in this they can have the minimum to survive," adds Fernando Horta.

According to him, this is the solution being implemented in Brazil today. "The loosening of rules to combat slave labor is simply the transfer of the same economic and social plan to the countryside. After all, large landowners also want to participate in the new social pact of 'rebuilding the country.' Rebuilding through the super-exploitation of the poor, Black people, women, and rural workers. Everyone must contribute, they will cynically say," he stated.