Controlling National Thoughts

Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner (above) has created a new post: secretary for strategic co-ordination of national thought.

Opposition leaders immediately derided the initiative, with some bristling over what they see as the post's fascist overtones.

Fascism  is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism that came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe. Influenced by national syndicalism, fascism originated in Italy during World War I, combining more typically right-wing positions with elements of left-wing politics, in opposition to liberalism, Marxism, and traditional conservatism. 

Although fascism is usually placed on the far right on the traditional left–right spectrum, several self-described fascists as well as some commentators have said that the description is inadequate.

Fascists sought to unify their nation through an authoritarian state that promoted the mass mobilization of the national community and were characterized by having leadership that initiated a revolutionary political movement aiming to reorganize the nation along principles according to fascist ideology.

 Fascist movements shared certain common features, including the veneration of the state, a devotion to a strong leader, and an emphasis on ultranationalism and militarism. Fascism views political violence, war, and imperialism as a means to achieve national rejuvenation, and it asserts that stronger nations have the right to expand their territory by displacing weaker nations.

 Fascist ideology consistently invokes the primacy of the state. Leaders such as Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany embodied the state and claimed indisputable power.

Fascism borrowed theories and terminology from socialism but replaced socialism's focus on class conflict with a focus on conflict between nations and races. Fascists advocate a mixed economy, with the principal goal of achieving autarky to secure national self-sufficiency and independence through protectionist and interventionist economic policies.

Following World War II, few parties have openly described themselves as fascist, and the term is usually used pejoratively by political opponents. The terms neo-fascist or post-fascist are sometimes applied more formally to describe parties of the far right with ideological similarities to, or roots in, 20th century fascist movements.

"With a year and a half to go before they leave office, they could have named someone to act instead of think," said Ernesto Sanz, head of the opposition Radical Civic Union.

Ricardo Forster, who was named to the post, said the idea was to "build networks among academics and intellectuals who are thinking about joint projects in Latin America".

He said it had nothing to do with trying to inculcate "uniformity of thought".

The 56-year-old trained philosopher is a member of a circle of intellectuals close to Kirchner, whose term ends in 2015.

"It's pathetic and deplorable to designate a strategic secretary for national thought, as if those who aren't Kichneristas are not national," said Federico Pinedo, head of a conservative bloc in the lower house. "That's old-style fascism."