Taliban Op-Ed

When looking at the overall result of their actions, the Taliban resemble fascists in many ways. They both champion traditional, paternalistic societies in order to increase efficiency in achieving their goals of conquest. They are certainly both aggressive powers that are intent on seizing power and control. Fascists’ goals of mass expansion coupled with their forceful execution prompted a response from other nations, and the Taliban’s threats shock the nation into submission. However, the Taliban cannot be fascists because fascists combine military strength with the intent of creating a superior society while the Taliban assert their dominance indiscriminately, with the sole intention of being in control.

Whereas a fascist nation directs its force outwards to assert their dominance, Taliban is preoccupied with dissent from within. Through radio broadcasts and bombings, the Taliban scares its people into submission. It only takes a moment to realize that the people who the Taliban control are not by any means willing supporters. They obey because they have to, and some even protest by disregarding the word of the Taliban, as in the case of a school continuing to operate after it had been officially closed down. The only reason they consent to living in a society that saps away their freedom is because of the Taliban’s constant threats. Clearly, there is no majority and rather a division of people in power and people who are pressured under that power. It appears as though the Taliban regards their own population as opposition and it is they who receive the majority of the Taliban’s force. Unlike fascists who attempt to unify their own people towards national superiority by promising to pave the way, the Taliban are plagued by their blind need for supremacy even if it comes from power over their own people.

In addition, while both fascists and the Taliban can be seen as traditional and paternalistic, there is a huge difference in terms of motivation and execution. The Taliban’s paternalism stems from its traditional and radical religious beliefs that govern its society. However, a true fascist nation believes that traditionalism and paternal superiority should not stem from doctrine, but rather the goal of creating a superior society, a superior race. Fascists do not discriminate against people within their own society like themselves and instead attempt to weed out those who do not fit their description of the perfect human being. In a sense, the Taliban and fascists move in completely different directions, in that the Taliban move backwards and tenaciously hold on to old ideals while fascists insist on forward motion.