Democratic Lies And Fascist Lies

At the basis of the discourse ethics of democratic deliberation is respect for the equality of one’s fellow citizen, including one’s political opponents. Such respect involves treating them as a fellow reasoner, responsive to the force of the better argument. One’s political opponent is deserving of this sort of equal respect—and this respect manifests itself epistemically, and in discourse. In a healthy democratic culture, we try to win our opponents over by the force of reason. Liberal democracy relies on the twin values of freedom and equality. Fascist ideology, by contrast, firmly repudiates equality—its pillar is inequality. Fascism is a cult of the leader, who promises national restoration in the face of supposed humiliation brought on by minorities, immigrants, liberals, and communists.