NPR is running a series this week on words that have come into or evolved in cultural and political parlance since 9/11. The two thus far — jihad and Islamofascism are fascinating in terms of how the terms came to be,
what they’ve meant at different times, and how their (mis)use may be alienating folks we’d rather have on our side.
Terms later this week: War on Terror, Imperialism, and Democracy.
33 view(s)
Islamofascism is still a stupid term dreamed up by the neo cons to aquate terrorism with the NAZI’s.
The correct term would be Theocracy, but I fear that that word strikes to close to home for the Neo Cons and their supporters.
The one MAIN point of Fascism that is missing in Islamofascism is the marriage of the state and the corporation so that the corporations keep those favourable to them in power, and the State keeps the corporations protected, unregulated and maintains free and easy access to the treasury.
Without that component it is just basic simple Theocracy and should be referred to as such.
There seems to be a fair amount of dispute about the definition of fascism, though what you suggest is a frequent theme.
“Theocracy” is perhaps too broad a term.
I agree, though, that Islamofascism is probably a poor term, if only because it’s inherently perjorative while being poorly descriptive.