Steve Bannon's views include theocratic, nationalist, authoritarian, and patriarchal elements, so much so that I once referred to them in a blog post as bordering on a kind of Christofascism. Among other things, he perceives Judeo-Christian civilization as locked in a global struggle against Islam and atheism. From his perspective, it seems that Europe (including post-colonial Western nations such as the US) is still fighting the equivalent of Umayyad and Ottoman invaders. Bannon seems opposed to the liberation of women. He favors what he describes as an economic war with China. Still, I think Bannon as more a throwback to the medieval Catholic Church than to the Third Reich. He clearly enough rejects Nazism and discusses it as a defeated enemy of Judeo-Christian civilization, while mischaracterizing it as having something to do with atheism. So, we can talk somewhat loosely about Bannon as a Christofascist, but I don't think he is literally a Nazi or a fascist. What do you think? Let's see some comparison between Bannon and real fascists such as Mussolini or Franco (he's not espousing a racial hierarchy or extermination of entire peoples, so comparison with Hitler would be a non-starter).
Your assessment of Steve Bannon’s views as a mix of theocratic, nationalist, authoritarian, and patriarchal elements, with a worldview rooted in a perceived existential clash of civilizations, is a useful starting point. Labeling his ideology as “Christofascism” captures the blend of religious zeal and authoritarian tendencies, but it’s worth unpacking how his positions compare to historical fascists like Benito Mussolini and Francisco Franco, as you suggest. Below, I’ll compare Bannon’s ideology to Mussolini’s fascism and Franco’s authoritarian regime, focusing on key ideological and practical differences, while addressing your points about Bannon’s rejection of Nazism, his opposition to women’s liberation, his economic stance on China, and his framing of a global struggle.
Clarifying Terms and Scope
Fascism: Historically, fascism (as seen in Mussolini) is a totalitarian ideology emphasizing ultranationalism, suppression of dissent, state control over society, and a cult of leadership, often with a mythic glorification of the past. It typically involves a rejection of liberal democracy, socialism, and individualism, with a strong anti-communist bent.Francoism: Franco’s regime in Spain was a conservative, Catholic authoritarian dictatorship, blending fascism’s authoritarianism with traditionalist elements like monarchism and Catholicism. It was less
ideologically rigid than Italian fascism but heavily nationalist, patriarchal, and repressive.
Bannon’s Ideology: Bannon’s worldview, as articulated in interviews, speeches, and his work with Breitbart and the “America First” movement, centers on a populist nationalism rooted in “Judeo-Christian” values. He frames Western civilization as under threat from Islam, secularism, and globalist elites, advocating for economic nationalism, traditional gender roles, and a strong state to preserve cultural identity.
Mussolini: Italian fascism was ultranationalist, glorifying Italy as the heir to the Roman Empire. Mussolini sought to unify Italians under a single national identity, suppressing regionalism and minorities (e.g., Slovenes). The state was paramount, and national pride was tied to military conquest and imperial expansion (e.g., Ethiopia, Albania).
I’ll avoid equating Bannon with Hitler, as you rightly note his ideology lacks the racial hierarchy or genocidal intent central to Nazism. Instead, I’ll focus on Mussolini and Franco, examining key dimensions: nationalism, religion, authoritarianism, gender, economic policy, and global conflict.
Comparison: Bannon vs. Mussolini and Franco
1. Nationalism
Franco: Franco’s nationalism was Spanish and Catholic, emphasizing a unified Spain against regional separatism (e.g., Catalans, Basques). His regime suppressed linguistic and cultural diversity, promoting a monolithic “Spanishness” rooted in Catholic tradition. Expansionism was less prominent than in Mussolini’s Italy, as Franco focused on internal consolidation after the Spanish Civil War.
Bannon: Bannon’s nationalism is populist and civilizational, centered on “Judeo-Christian” Western identity rather than a single nation-state. He advocates for sovereignty and economic nationalism (e.g., tariffs, anti-globalization), particularly in the U.S., but also supports nationalist movements in Europe (e.g., Hungary’s Orbán, France’s Le Pen). Unlike Mussolini’s imperial ambitions, Bannon’s focus is defensive—preserving Western culture against perceived external threats (Islam, China) and internal decay (secularism, elites). Like Franco, he ties nationalism to religious identity, but his scope is broader, encompassing a transnational “West.”
Mussolini: Mussolini’s fascism was opportunistic about religion. Though personally skeptical, he allied with the Catholic Church to consolidate power (e.g., the 1929 Lateran Treaty). Fascism subordinated religion to the state, using it as a tool for national unity rather than a guiding ideology. The “myth of the state” was paramount, not divine authority.
Comparison: Bannon’s nationalism is less militaristic than Mussolini’s and lacks the territorial expansionism of fascism. It aligns more with Franco’s cultural and religious nationalism but extends beyond a single nation to a civilizational framework. His rejection of globalism echoes fascist critiques of internationalism, but he doesn’t advocate for a totalitarian state subsuming all societal institutions.
2. Religion
Franco: Religion was central to Franco’s regime. His “National Catholicism” made the Catholic Church a pillar of the state, enforcing traditional morality, censoring dissent, and shaping education. The Church legitimized Franco’s rule, and he framed his regime as a crusade against godless communism and liberalism.
Bannon: Bannon elevates “Judeo-Christian” values as the bedrock of Western civilization, framing them as under siege by Islam, atheism, and secular progressivism. His rhetoric, such as in his 2014 Vatican speech, invokes a spiritual war, likening modern challenges to historical Christian struggles (e.g., against Ottoman invasions). He admires the medieval Catholic Church’s moral and cultural authority, as you note, and sees it as a model for cultural cohesion.
Mussolini: Mussolini’s regime was totalitarian, seeking to control all aspects of life—media, unions, education, and culture. Opposition was crushed, political parties banned, and a cult of personality built around Il Duce. The state’s power was absolute, with no tolerance for pluralism.
Comparison: Bannon’s theocratic leanings are closer to Franco’s National Catholicism than Mussolini’s instrumental use of religion. Like Franco, Bannon sees religion as a unifying force against ideological enemies, but his “Judeo-Christian” framework is broader and less institutionally tied to a single church. His medievalist nostalgia distinguishes him from both, as neither Mussolini nor Franco idealized the Middle Ages as a political model. Bannon’s rejection of Nazism as atheistic (a mischaracterization, as Nazism co-opted Christian imagery while subordinating it to racial ideology) underscores his religious focus, setting him apart from fascism’s secular tendencies.
3. Authoritarianism
Franco: Franco’s regime was authoritarian but not fully totalitarian. He suppressed opposition (e.g., executing or imprisoning thousands of Republicans), banned political parties, and controlled media, but allowed limited pluralism within his coalition (e.g., monarchists, Falangists). His rule relied on repression and co-optation rather than a charismatic cult.
Bannon: Bannon admires strong leaders (e.g., Trump, Orbán) and advocates for a powerful state to enact his agenda, but he operates within democratic systems, seeking influence through elections and media (e.g., Breitbart, War Room). He criticizes liberal institutions (e.g., “deep state,” academia) and supports dismantling their influence, but doesn’t explicitly call for a one-party state or total societal control. His rhetoric flirts with authoritarian solutions, such as, for instance, “deconstructing the administrative state,” but lacks a clear blueprint for dictatorship.
Mussolini: Fascism was deeply patriarchal, promoting women as mothers and homemakers to serve the nation’s population growth (e.g., “Battle for Births”). Women were excluded from public life, with limited rights and roles subordinate to men. Masculinity was tied to military and national glory.
**Comparison: Bannon’s authoritarian in temperament but not in practice, distinguishing him from Mussolini’s totalitarianism and Franco’s dictatorship. His focus on populist disruption within democracy aligns more with modern illiberal populists than historical fascists. However, his willingness to undermine democratic norms (e.g., supporting 2020 election challenges) suggests a softer authoritarianism that could align with Franco’s pragmatic repression if given power.
4. Gender Roles
Franco: Franco’s regime enforced rigid gender roles, rooted in Catholic doctrine. Women were relegated to domesticity, with laws restricting their economic and political participation. The Sección Femenina, a women’s organization, promoted traditional femininity and loyalty to the regime.
Bannon: Bannon opposes women’s liberation, praising traditional gender roles and criticizing feminism as corrosive to society. In a 2017 interview, he lamented women’s increasing presence in fields like the military, arguing it undermines “traditional” structures. His rhetoric aligns with patriarchal Christian traditionalism, framing women primarily as cultural and familial anchors.
Mussolini: Fascism rejected both laissez-faire capitalism and socialism, advocating a corporatist economy where the state coordinated labor and capital under state oversight. Mussolini nationalized key industries, promoted autarky, and suppressed unions, prioritizing national strength over individual profit.
Comparison: Bannon’s patriarchal views align closely with Franco’s Catholic traditionalism, emphasizing women’s roles in preserving cultural identity through family. Mussolini’s fascism shares this view but ties it more explicitly to state-driven population policies, which Bannon does not emphasize. Bannon’s opposition to women’s liberation is ideological, not yet policy, distinguishing him from the legal enforcement of both regimes.
5. Economic Policy
Franco: Franco’s early economic policy was autarkic, isolating Spain’s economy to recover from the Civil War. He later embraced limited market reforms in the 1950s, aligning with Western economies while maintaining state control. His policies were pragmatic, balancing fascist and conservative economic interests.
Bannon: Bannon advocates for economic nationalism, supporting tariffs, protectionism, and reshoring manufacturing to counter China’s economic influence. He frames this as an “economic war” with China, criticizing globalist trade deals (e.g., TPP, NAFTA). His populism includes populist appeals to workers but lacks a coherent economic system like corporatism. He supports capitalism but distrusts corporate elites.
Mussolini: Mussolini framed global politics as a struggle for imperial dominance, pitting Italy against rival powers (e.g., Britain, France) and “inferior” nations. His aggressive foreign policy sought colonies and alliances (e.g., Axis with Germany) to assert Italy’s greatness.
Comparison: Bannon’s economic nationalism echoes Mussolini’s autarky and Franco’s early self-sufficiency but operates within a global capitalist framework, focusing on trade and tariffs rather than state ownership. Unlike Mussolini’s corporatism, Bannon’s approach is less ideologically rigid, resembling modern populist economic critiques of globalization. His focus on China aligns with fascist rhetoric of economic enemies but lacks their totalitarian implementation.
6. Global Conflict and Enemies
Franco: Franco’s external focus was limited, avoiding major wars due to Spain’s weakness. He framed his regime as a bulwark against communism, aligning with the West during the Cold War while maintaining neutrality in WWII. His enemies were ideological (communists, liberals) rather than civilizational.
Bannon: Bannon perceives a global struggle between “Judeo-Christian” civilization and its enemies: Islam, atheism, and Chinese communism. He likens modern Islam to historical invaders (e.g., Umayyads, Ottomans), as you note, and frames China as an economic and ideological threat. Unlike Mussolini, he doesn’t seek military conquest but cultural and economic resistance, supporting nationalist movements worldwide.
Similarities to Fascism: Like Mussolini and Franco, Bannon exalts cultural unity, distrusts liberal democracy, and opposes progressive social change. His admiration for strong leaders, rejection of globalism, and patriarchal views align with fascist tendencies, and his rhetoric of crisis mirrors their mobilization strategies.
Comparison: Bannon’s civilizational clash aligns loosely with Mussolini’s imperial worldview but lacks its militarism, focusing instead on cultural preservation. His anti-communist and anti-Islamic rhetoric echoes Franco’s ideological battles, but his global scope and focus on China are distinct. Bannon’s framing of Nazism as atheistic and anti-Christian misrepresents its complex relationship with religion, distancing him from fascism’s secular or pagan tendencies.
Is Bannon a “Christofascist”??
The term “Christofascism,” as you use it, captures Bannon’s fusion of Christian traditionalism with authoritarian nationalism, but it requires nuance:
Differences: Bannon lacks the totalitarian ambition of Mussolini or the dictatorial power of Franco. He operates as a political strategist within democratic systems, and his ideology is more fragmented, blending religious fervor with populism. His rejection of racial hierarchies and exterminationist policies clearly distinguishes him from Nazism, and his focus on medieval Christendom sets him apart from fascism’s modernist or secular roots.
Bannon’s worldview is closer to a theocratic populism than classical fascism. His admiration for the medieval Church suggests a reactionary, pre-modern ideal, whereas fascism often embraced modernity (e.g., Mussolini’s futurism, Franco’s industrialization). “Christofascism” is a useful shorthand for his authoritarian and religious zeal, but it risks overstating his ideological coherence or power compared to historical fascists.
Final Answer
Steve Bannon is not a fascist in the mold of Mussolini or Franco but shares some of their traits, such as, like nationalism, patriarchalism, and authoritarian leanings. His “Judeo-Christian” nationalism aligns more with Franco’s Catholic traditionalism than Mussolini’s secular ultranationalism, but his focus on a global cultural clash and economic nationalism adds a modern populist dimension. Unlike Mussolini, he lacks a totalitarian vision or imperial ambition; unlike Franco, he operates within a democratic constraints and envisions a transnational “West” rather than a single nation. The term “Christofascism” captures his theocratic and authoritarian tendencies, but Bannon is more accurately a reactionary populist than a literal fascist, with a medievalist nostalgia distinguishing him from both historical figures.
