this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2025
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The crux of people thinking fascism can be defeated by violence think WWII was an example of this. Not only did this not stop fascism, it exploded it. Now almost the entire world is fascist and they still somehow think violence is the answer.
Can I ask then, if you know of a time fascism was definitely defeated? Because if it's not by violence, I do not know of a time fascism has been defeated.
On a global scale, I think there's an argument to be made that the fight never ended at all.
But, on a local scale, Chile comes to mind. Pinochet was ousted democratically and the military dictatorship ended. But that was only really because Pinochet was willing to relinquish control (due to external factors mostly, not just some change of heart) which isn't exactly common for fascist and authoritarian leaders, so Im not sure if that example applies much generally.
It would probably be more accurate to say that Pinochet realized he did not have the requisite violence to crush the popular support arrayed against him - the military refused to back his proposal to hold onto power after losing the election, so he stepped down in the hopes (sadly successful) of avoiding a noose for his crimes against Chile.
Institutions - and popular support - matter even when violence is involved, or implicitly threatened.
True, that is a better way of putting it