Robert Kennedy Jr. wrote these words in 2003:
“Corporate capitalists do not want free markets, they want dependable profits, and their surest route is to crush competition by controlling government. The rise of fascism across Europe in the 1930s offers many informative lessons on how corporate power can undermine a democracy. In Spain, Germany and Italy, industrialists allied themselves with right-wing leaders who used the provocation of terrorist attacks, continual wars, and invocations of patriotism and homeland security to tame the press, muzzle criticism by opponents and turn government over to corporate control. Those governments tapped industrial executives to run ministries and poured government money into corporate coffers with lucrative contracts to prosecute wars and build infrastructure. They encouraged friendly corporations to swallow media outlets, and they enriched the wealthiest classes, privatized the commons and pared down constitutional rights, creating short-term prosperity through pollution-based profits and constant wars.”
I’ve been aching to make a TV special studying the story of Fascism in Europe during the 20th century. Now that our latest series is finished, I need to huddle with my crew and decide what we’ll produce next. Stumbling upon this quote got me thinking of lacing all the Nazi, Fascist, Holocaust, WWII, and Neo-Nazi sites together into an hour in hopes that we can learn from those difficult times… and never go there again.
But don’t forget to mention what happens in the opposite scenario… when government swallows and subverts free enterprise. Both make for pretty miserable situations with similar end results. And them perhaps show how (at least northern) Europe got the balance right but continues to evolve.
Free market capitalism is not the same as crony capitalism, which can be seen in GE’s relationship with the current administration. The government should not have a symbiotic relationship with some businesses at the exclusion of other businesses based on politics. Likewise, the mainstream media should be be a fifth arm of government, but should be independent, something we do not seem to have currently. I agree with Tom, the corruption is not exclusively a “right” issue but is rampant on the left as well. Lastly, quoting Robery Kennedy, Jr. on 1930s Fascism is delicious considering his grandfather, Joe Kennedy, was the biggest appeaser of Hitler save Neville Chamberlain.
WOW!!Overwhelming concept!! I do believe, however, that you really don’t mean ALL spots. Way too many, to say the least, to cram into a one hour show. Overview with some select spots most likely doable. But sounds more like an entire season’s series. And, speaking as one travel professional to another, I believe you would, perhaps, rather not become THAT political (even if PBS would let you do it). Have you considered actually how many individuals and families are still alive who were directly affected (not to mention the entire world at least indirectly)? Just one aspect which is overlooked: My husband’s parents were British expats living and working in Spain since 1910, when Spain recruited footballers from UK to teach them the game. His father became the first coach of BARCA, now one of the world’s foremost football (soccer) teams. They lost their home, belongings, and nearly their lives in the Spanish civil war, being forced to leave with nothing. Reparations! I think not! I like your idea — but FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS! All the best, and contact me if you wish. Cheers!
Joy! Peace!! Bright Blessings!!! (from a former RC nun, world traveller, raconteur, et al.)
Hope Vilsick-Greenwell (and our entire Greenwell family of world citizens)
Meant to say the media should NOT be a fifth arm of government…
In “Power Inc” David Rothkopf writes: The world has shifted from a “… battle between capitalism and Communism to something even more complex: a battle between differing forms of capitalism in which the distinction between each is in the relative role and responsibilities of public and private sectors.” The extremes of both Soviet communism and free-market financial excesses have been discredited. American capitalism initially triumphed, but has since receded (2008 recession); and competition between different capitalisms will continue. In view of Citizens United it appears big business is in control in US.
I wonder if Robert Kennedy, Jr., when attacking the wealthy classes for enriching themselves, was including his grandfather, Joe Kennedy, who enriched himself through bootlegging and stock market manipulations, amassing vast wealth that to this day is supporting his offspring, including Robert Kennedy, Jr. Can’t wait to read the upcoming spin on 1930s Fascism.
There has to be a balance. I just read an article in the paper that the CEO of companies that the Koch Bros own sent 45,000 employees a letter that they may loose their job if President Obama was elected. It is one thing to be probusiness but not be political bullys to their employees. I would love to see a film on 1930’s Fascism. One trip my husband and I would love to do is a tour of the consentration camps and the Eagles Nest. We have been to Normandy and that was so interesting, not what I had expected. it is one thing to read about it and another to see it.
it is important that we remember fascism. a documentary by rick steves will be very welcome indeed.
If you pursue this project, include the contemporary Golden Dawn movement in Greece. It is benefitting from Greece’s economic distress as the Nazi’s benefitted from the Great Depression.
The Koch brothers letter did not tell their employees HOW to vote. It just stated that if Obama is re-elected then businesses, and not just Koch-owned ones, will have no other choice but to layoff people due to the jobs-killing policies of the current administration, including all those mandates from Obamacare that kick in, in 2014, AFTER the election in November. BTW, living in Michigan, I have witnessed firsthand the bullying tactics of unions.
Very interesting quote. Sounds a lot like the US today.
While I agree that Soviet Communism was as bad, the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. Which is why I am very seriously considering moving back to Europe.
Wow Jan, don’t know what your thing is, but this is not my blog. It you want to be a “Hater” do it to Rick Steves it is his blog. I have a right to my opinion. You really don’t need to be the blog police. Rick Steves pays a whole staff at Europe through the Back door for that.
Sounds like pretty heavy stuff for a travel show . . . I know you support “travel as a political act” but getting THAT political . . .
Well, honestly, it won’t stop me from watching it! It just shocks me a bit, I guess. .. .
Hey Rick,
Great idea for a travel-related show. As a resource, I’d recommend checking out William Shirer’s book, ‘The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich’. A bit long, but rich in context both as to places and events, and written by an American correspondent who was both a witness and a historian. Cheers and good luck!
rick,
i appreciate the fact that you have visited many holocaust sites through out your travel.
a few history lessons about fascism in europe will be welcomed by traveller like me.
i look forward to seeing these documentary in the future.
This sounds like the most ambitious subject matter you’ve ever attempted.
I’m down!!
All it needs is a McDonalds arch.
I look forward to Rick’s project on this huge topic. Only one hour?
Kathy may not have to cross the Atlantic to find that “sweet spot”. Judging by recent emigration flows, more Americans are searching for it in Canada.
Carpinteyrowas, finally someone who makes sense!
Kathy have you not been going to leave the USA ever since Bush 43, or do I have you mixed up with another unhappy American Kathy? If you do move to Europe be sure to take lots of $$ Will President Mitt be enough to push you over the edge?
Thats good, your blog is cool, i like it. Thanks for the efforts my friend.
Do it, Rick! Every generation or so there’s a backward push toward “the good old days” of fascism and worse. History has to be handed on, one person at a time.
I had to revisit some earlier Oct 2012 blogs to pick up this issue of capitalism and fascism. Please try not to be too receptive to anything with a label. We get in trouble when we buy into ideas wholesale. Steves has a point of view. But don’t just swallow it hook line and sinker. Select what you believe in, slice it, dice it, refute it and blend your own convictions into it. Nobody should be a slave to somebody else’s ideas even if phrased in clever, persuasive ways. Most people with experience and experiences would agree that there is a tendency for those with strong opinions to spin them in ways that meet their own agendas. To be skeptical is healthy and forces those with opinions or agendas to reexamine them and resubmit them in the light of curious and enlightened push back. I think Steves is well intentioned and has some valid opinions but it seems to me he sees the world through the prism of: a diplomat’s child; a world of relative privilege; a Eurocentric businessman and a ceo with employees and groupies and dependent merchants who rarely tell him off. In a way he seems like a progressive’s version of Jack Welch. But I still admire the guy, Steves that is.
Rick, proceed with this project. It’s a great idea. I react with disgust any time the crawling, contemptible worms in the American conservative movement try to apply the Nazi label to president Obama. They don’t know what fascism is. They are merely expressing their hate-filled ideology that ironically bears a strong resemblence to fascism. In addition, a program on fascism would honor the sacrifices of people like my dad, who served in World War II, and my grandfather’s service in WWI.