To think that the outcome of the recent presidential election turned solely, or close to solely, on economic matters fails to appreciate the role of cultural backlash in motivating voters and their choices.

“Before the establishment of a fascist dictatorship, bourgeois governments usually pass through a number of preliminary stages and adopt a number of reactionary measures which directly facilitate the accession to power of fascism. Whoever does not fight the reactionary measures of the bourgeoisie and the growth of fascism at these preparatory stages is not in a position to prevent the victory of fascism, but, on the contrary, facilitates that victory.” (Georgi Dimitrov, United Front against War and Fascism)

Contrary to what some think, Trump’s victory in the recent election isn’t tantamount to the election of a fascist or fascist like government. It may well evolve in that direction, but as Dimitrov makes clear, the establishment of such a government isn’t a foregone conclusion. Indeed, it will be a contested process between competing and unstable cross class political coalitions with the advantage in the near term lying with the coalition headed by Trump and MAGA.

Judging only by the names and resumes of Trump’s proposals to fill top government positions, this isn’t a normal transition of power from one democratic government to another. The incoming administration doesn’t fit on the same bourgeois democratic continuum of its predecessors. To put it another way, it’s a different political species, precisely what kind we can’t say at this moment, but that will come into view in the early going, I suspect.

What we can say, generally speaking, is that the new administration comfortably takes up space on another continuum that is right wing extremist, racist, misogynist, homo and transphobic, xenophobic, authoritarian, christian nationalist and led by a strongman. Will it be in the mold of Orban’s Hungry or Putin’s Russia? Or Mussolini’s Italy? Is Trump a fascist? He has many of the markings. In any case, brace for an assault of unprecedented scope and depth, the likes of which we have never seen.If I’m wrong, I will be so happily!