The Rise of Fascism in the West: How It Benefits Men and the Wealthy but Destroys Society
Fascism isn’t just a relic of the 20th century; it’s back, and this time it’s wearing a suit, wielding social media, and working hand-in-hand with the billionaire class. While the classic image of fascism conjures up jackboots, torchlight parades, and militant authoritarianism, today’s version is slicker, subtler, and far more insidious. And once again, it’s the most vulnerable among us — particularly women, minorities, and the working class — who bear the brunt of its destruction. The tragedy? A certain percentage of women are actively supporting the very movement that seeks to strip them of their rights.
A Different Face, The Same Brutal Core
The fascism of the 20th century was characterized by overt nationalism, racial superiority, and violent oppression. It relied on mass movements, paramilitary groups, and the direct seizure of power through force. Today, fascism has adapted to the modern world. Instead of street battles, it wages war through legislation, corporate influence, and the suppression of dissent via digital surveillance and media manipulation.
While the old fascists stormed government buildings with armed mobs, the new ones buy politicians, rewrite laws, and weaponize “culture wars” to turn the public against itself. Instead of invading neighboring nations, modern fascists launch economic warfare — hoarding wealth, dismantling labor protections, and creating a permanent underclass designed to serve their needs without hope of upward mobility.
Fascism’s Favorite Targets: The Vulnerable, Especially Women
The telltale sign of any fascist movement is its need for scapegoats. The old playbook targeted Jews, communists, and political dissidents. Today, the targets have expanded to include immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, racial minorities, and especially women who dare to demand bodily autonomy and independence. The goal remains the same: divide the population, create an “us vs. them” mentality, and direct public anger away from the ultra-wealthy who are actually responsible for declining wages, economic instability, and societal decay.
For women, modern fascism means the erosion of reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and the return of rigid gender roles designed to keep them subservient. It enforces economic dependency by slashing social programs, undermining labor protections, and making it harder to escape abusive relationships. And yet, disturbingly, some women actively support these policies, whether due to religious conservatism, internalized misogyny, or a belief that they can find security within a patriarchal system.
Fascism’s Unholy Alliance with Billionaires and Men in Power
Historically, fascism rose to power by promising economic revitalization while actually serving the interests of the wealthy. Today’s version is no different. The billionaire class fuels modern fascism because it provides a convenient smokescreen for their continued looting of the global economy. They bankroll far-right politicians, push corporate-friendly policies, and stoke social divisions to keep the working class too distracted and divided to challenge them.
Men in positions of power particularly benefit from this system, as it reinforces traditional gender hierarchies that keep them in control. The rollback of women’s rights isn’t just a side effect of modern fascism—it’s one of its core features. By limiting women’s access to education, healthcare, and financial independence, today’s far-right movements ensure that male dominance remains intact, all while convincing a portion of the female population that this is for their own good.
Why This Version of Fascism Will Fail (But Not Before Causing Mass Suffering)
The good news? Modern fascism is ultimately doomed to failure. The bad news? It won’t collapse before inflicting massive suffering on ordinary people — especially women and minorities.
Unlike the fascist regimes of the past, today’s version lacks the same level of centralized authority and militaristic control. The very billionaires propping it up are often too self-interested to form a truly cohesive, long-term movement. Additionally, social media, while a powerful tool for disinformation, also allows activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens to expose their tactics in real time.
Most importantly, modern fascism is trying to turn back a clock that cannot be reversed. Women will not willingly give up their rights. Marginalized communities will not passively accept persecution. Workers will not forever tolerate exploitation. The seeds of resistance are growing, and history shows that once people recognize their common enemy, they fight back with ferocity.
Final Thoughts: The Fight Isn’t Over
Fascism thrives on apathy, division, and fear. It wants us to believe that resistance is futile, that the wealthy and powerful are untouchable, and that our only option is to turn on each other. But history has proven time and again that oppressive systems are not invincible. They crumble when enough people refuse to comply.
We are at a crossroads. The modern iteration of fascism is more polished and less immediately violent than its predecessors, but make no mistake — it is every bit as dangerous. The question is not whether it will ultimately fall. It will. The question is how much damage it will do before it does.
Our job? To ensure that when it does, the people — not the billionaires and patriarchs — are the ones who shape what comes next.
About the author
Estelle is the Editor & Founder of Smart Healthy Women Mag. She is an expert Coach, Author and Speaker. She is passionate about providing her readers with successful strategies for realising a life of purpose, meaning and fulfilment using the best in change tools and believes that by reaching their potential, everyone can make the world a better place.
