Is Russia a Fascist State?

[Frodo]

With Putin and his party controlling everything, and the next upcoming parliamentary election likely to be rigged, Russia is a 'democracy' in name only. 

[Lief 🗽]

No, a lack of democracy does not equal fascism.

Though it is quickly moving there.

[Colin]

Authoritarian but it doesn't have the ideological trappings of fascism. More akin to the paternalist authoritarianism common during earlier eras in Eastern Europe, Piłsudski and Horthy come to mind, not the massive state totalitarian system implied by the word "fascism".

[Хahar 🤔]

Authoritarian but it doesn't have the ideological trappings of fascism. More akin to the paternalist authoritarianism common during earlier eras in Eastern Europe, Piłsudski and Horthy come to mind, not the massive state totalitarian system implied by the word "fascism".

Exactly. It's a Horthyist state. Of course, Horthy later became a fascist collaborator. Here's to hoping the KPRF can gain some of Putin's votes!

[© tweed]

no

[NDN]

No. Russia is more of an illiberal democracy or de-facto one party state.

China is though.

[Cubby]

Yes it is.

[Middle-aged Europe]

No. Same argument some of the previous posters have used. It's "just" an authoritarian state.

[Silent Hunter]

Agree with Frank there. Fascism is a term too easily used.

[Hash]

No. "Fascism" doesn't mean "all non-democratic states"

[The Mikado]

With Putin and his party controlling everything, and the next upcoming parliamentary election likely to be rigged, Russia is a 'democracy' in name only. 

Not fascist.  Putin governs like how a reformist czar would in the 21st century...he pays lip service to the people, gives them false choices, and declares it democracy.  Meanwhile he and his cronies maintain all the real power.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

Putin is not a fascist; he is an old school Russian Nationalist who represents the more authoritian elements of the traditional state Appartus (Such as the KGB\FSB; the KGB were mainly never really communists; just loyal to the state - whoever ran it. Putin is part of that class.)

He reminds me of Napoleon III in strange ways.

[Michael Z]

What the others said. Authoritarian, yes, fascist no.

Putin reminds me of Napoleon III in strange ways.

It's funny you should say that, because I was chatting to my mother earlier and she said exactly the same thing.