The Psychological Markers of Fascism

Recognizing the psychological traits at the heart of fascist movements.

Reviewed by Tyler Woods

Key points

• Fascism is rooted in psychological traits like nostalgia for a mythical past and leader worship.
• Fascist movements foster black-and-white thinking, portraying the world as "us vs. them."
• Anti-intellectualism and conspiracy thinking are used to manipulate and control followers.
• Fascism glorifies violence and obsesses over racial, cultural, and moral purity to maintain power.

Recently, some of Donald Trump’s closest military advisors, including former Chief of Staff General John Kelly and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, have publicly labeled him a fascist. These are individuals who worked closely with Trump during his presidency. This makes their assessment particularly striking, and it has many wondering whether it is accurate. But to answer that question, we must know what fascism is.

Plenty of bulleted lists of fascist traits have been produced by scholars who study the topic, like Chris Hedges, Jason Stanley, and John McNeill. Interestingly, however, fascism isn’t just a political ideology—it also reflects a specific set of psychological patterns that are both prevalent in fascist leaders and encouraged within fascist movements. Drawing on the works of these scholars, I believe we can break down these traits into recognizable markers. These traits manifest in how fascists perceive the world, how they manipulate others, and how they lead and maintain control over their followers.

1. Nostalgia for a Mythical Past

Fascist leaders often invoke an idealized vision of a bygone era—a time when the leader’s in-group was dominant and society was supposedly better. This is more than just a longing for the past; it’s a psychological device used to stoke feelings of resentment and desire for a return to that idealized time. Fascists encourage people to believe that their personal and national struggles stem from a departure from this mythical past. This nostalgic longing is usually tinged with themes of racial, ethnic, or national superiority, where the dominant group was unchallenged by minorities or social changes.

Psychologically, this taps into a desire for simplicity and stability in an uncertain world. People yearn for a time when, in their perception, social roles were clearer and life was less complicated. This makes them more susceptible to authoritarian leaders who promise to restore that past by reversing progress and eliminating perceived threats to their power.

2. Leader Cult and Hero Worship

At the heart of any fascist movement is the cult of a charismatic leader who is seen as infallible, the embodiment of the nation's identity, and the final arbiter of truth. Followers of such leaders don’t just respect them; they idolize them. The leader is presented as a larger-than-life figure, capable of solving the nation’s problems single-handedly. As a result, their followers are often willing to go to great lengths to defend and protect them.

This psychological tendency reflects a deep need for certainty and authority, often in response to a perceived sense of chaos. Fascist leaders exploit this need by positioning themselves as the only ones capable of restoring order and addressing grievances. Their followers, in turn, view themselves as protectors of the leader’s cause, often adopting a messianic belief in the leader’s mission.

3. Us vs. Them Thinking

Fascism is characterized by a stark, black-and-white worldview, where the in-group is seen as morally superior and all outsiders or critics are enemies. This binary thinking creates a psychological framework that divides the world into clear camps: those who are with the leader and those who are against the movement, with no room for nuance or middle ground.

This polarized mindset encourages followers to view any dissent as a personal or national threat. It also allows the leader to justify extreme actions, as the stakes are framed as an existential struggle between good and evil. From a psychological perspective, this kind of thinking simplifies the world and makes it easier for individuals to avoid the discomfort of ambiguity or complexity.

4. Anti-Intellectualism and Distrust of Expertise

Fascism fosters a deep-seated distrust of intellectuals, scientists, and experts. This is because critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and historical context can easily expose the lies and contradictions at the heart of fascist rhetoric. As a result, fascist leaders seek to delegitimize academia, expertise, and fact-based reporting, labeling them as enemies of the people.

Psychologically, this taps into a fear of losing control over one’s worldview. Many people find comfort in simple narratives that align with their preexisting beliefs, and when those beliefs are challenged by experts or intellectuals, it creates cognitive dissonance. By dismissing experts as corrupt or biased, fascist leaders offer their followers an easy way out of this discomfort, reinforcing loyalty to the leader and the movement.

5. Victimhood and Conspiracy Thinking

One of the most pervasive psychological traits of fascism is the portrayal of the in-group as victims. Despite often being in positions of power, fascist movements paint themselves as being under siege by powerful forces, whether it’s other races, political opponents, or international conspiracies. This victim mentality serves to justify aggressive actions, as they are framed as necessary for self-defense.

Conspiracy theories often play a significant role here, providing simple explanations for complex social problems. Fascist leaders capitalize on this psychological need for control and certainty in an unpredictable world by offering their followers easy scapegoats—usually minorities or political opponents—who are supposedly conspiring against them.

6. Glorification of Violence and Aggression

Fascist movements view politics as a form of combat, with violence seen as a necessary tool for achieving their goals. Violence becomes normalized as a legitimate form of political expression, and fascist leaders often encourage or condone aggressive behavior from their followers, whether in the form of street brawls, threats, or even acts of terrorism.

Psychologically, this taps into primal fears and instincts. By glorifying violence, fascist leaders offer their followers an outlet for anger, frustration, and resentment. It also reinforces the idea that the in-group is under threat and must defend itself by any means necessary.

7. Obsession with Purity and Control

Fascism often includes a preoccupation with racial, cultural, and moral purity. This can manifest in policies aimed at limiting immigration, suppressing minorities, or regulating women’s bodies and reproductive rights. Fascist leaders frequently appeal to fears about the “contamination” of society by foreign elements, both physical and moral.

From a psychological perspective, this obsession with purity reflects a fear of losing control. Fascism thrives on the anxiety that societal changes—whether demographic, cultural, or sexual—will lead to a loss of identity and power for the in-group. The fascist leader promises to restore order by eliminating these perceived threats, reinforcing a sense of control and security.

Conclusion

This list is not complete, and I have not articulated at all whether Trump exhibits these traits. (For a more complete rundown, see here.) But I do believe the reader now knows enough to decide for themselves.

Fascism is a word that has been thrown around a lot since WWII; almost every American president has been called a fascist by someone or another. But the fact that the label has been misapplied in the past doesn't mean that it can't be properly applied today. After all, the story about the boy who cried wolf ends with the boy being eaten by a wolf. Past hyperbole should never prevent us from calling a spade a spade.