> You could also argue that the original rise of Fascism was enabled by mass propaganda becoming possible where it wasn't really previously
Genocides and other war crimes have been a staple of humanity since Ancient Greece. Authoritarianism, of which fascism is a subset, only depends on one thing, and that is masses willing to be led.
...and technologies, including mass propaganda, have extended their reach and scale. They didn’t have trains delivering millions to gas chambers in Athens, helmed by people listening to Hitler’s speeches on the radio.
Saying “x has always existed” is different from the scale at which x is present. That is, in fact, one way that we measure progress. Inarguably, we will never be able to stamp out our baser instincts and behavior, but we should strive to reduce their presence and impact.
Genocides and other war crimes have been a staple of humanity since Ancient Greece. Authoritarianism, of which fascism is a subset, only depends on one thing, and that is masses willing to be led.