Average Quote by Bertrand Russell
“The first step in a fascist movement is the combination under an energetic leader of a number of men who possess more than the average share of leisure, brutality, and stupidity. The next step is to fascinate fools and muzzle the intelligent, by emotional excitement on the one hand and terrorism on the other.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Why I Am Not a Christian, 1927
Fascist movements start with idle, brutal, unintelligent men led by an energetic leader, then manipulate fools and silence thinkers through emotion and terror.
In simple terms: Fascism begins with violent, idle leaders and manipulates the masses.
Key Takeaway
Beware charismatic leaders who exploit fear and suppress dissent.
Themes
politics
authoritarianism
psychology
propaganda
Mood
cautious
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
warning
When to use this quote
- political rallies
- media campaigns
- education systems
- online forums
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
mass manipulation
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic conditions enable fascist leaders?
- What safeguards can protect intellectual discourse?
A Different Perspective
It oversimplifies complex social dynamics and ignores economic factors.
![“Fascism is not [only] squads of the SA or the Blackshirts marching on the streets. Fascism is officials, in uniforms ordering what is capitalist supposed to do with "his" factory, and how he should father "his" children and occasionally - how many Jews (or anti-Semites) should be sent to Auschwitz.” quote by Janusz Korwin-Mikke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec2/janusz-korwin-mikke-15927_auschwitz_fascism-is-not-only-squads-of-the-sa-or_1225785.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
