Fourteen Properties of a Fascist Ideology in Scottish football.

False accusations of racism by Celtic fans made me think about racism and fascism in Scottish football. In 1995 the Italian novelist and philosopher Umberto Eco defined 14 general properties of a fascist ideology.

Applied to a Scottish footballing context the outcome should be concerning for all of us, but will be unsurprising for many of us.

'The Fourteen Principles'

1. Cult of Tradition - The fascist movement is steeped in traditional thinking.

In the case of one particular club this traditional thinking is the Monarchy, the Orange Order and a vehement hatred of any notion of independence.

2. Rejection of Modernism - Enlightenment and reasoned thought are seen as emasculating (see no. 3 also).

In the case of one particular club the rejection of reasoned thought is typified in repeated hubris and repetition of past mistakes.

3. Action for Actions sake - Acting without thinking, planning or reasoning to simply being seen to be doing something (see no. 2 also).

In the case of one particular club clear examples are repeated financial difficulties, impulsive loanees/signings, short-term financial plans

4. Disagreement is Treason - the rejection of critical distinction or alternative views. (see nos. 2, 9 and 14 also).

In the case of the fan base of one particular club anyone in disagreement with the narrow position of the fan base is subject to threats and intimidation.

5. Fear of Difference - An appeal against 'intruders' .

In the case of several Scottish clubs, the Irish and Catholics are portrayed as 'intruders' to create a culture of fear.

6. Appeal to Social Frustration - identification of a social group and portrayal of that group as being under threat (see no. 7 also).

In the case of one particular club Protestantism, Orangeism and a British identity are portrayed as being under attack, often by the 'intruders'

7. Obsession with a plot - creation of a seige mentality and a culture of fear (see no. 6 also).

In the case of the fanbase of one particular club and the club itself, a repeated view is that they are despised and that there is a national conspiracy designed to 'keep them down'

8. The enemy is both strong and weak - Continuous shifting of rhetoric.

In the case of the fans of one particular club, the shifting rhetoric is that "Celtic control the SFA, the media, and Glasgow City Council" whilst at the same time "Celtic are fragile can easily be defeated"

9. Pacifism aligns you with the enemy - Reinforcement of the seige mentality.

In the case of the fan base of one particular club the adage that "if you are not with us you must be against us" is evidenced, with threats and intimidation of individuals who dissent (see no. 7 also)

10. Contempt for the weak - Elitism.

In the case of the fans of one particular club, the oft repeated phrase "No Surrender" tells us all we need to know.

11. Cult of heroism - Promotion of the ideology that heroism is the norm and pacifism is abhorrent.

In the case of one particular club there is an obsessive adulation and promotion of all things associated with the British Army (see no. 9 and 12 also)

12. Machismo and weaponry

In the case of one particular club, regular artillery and military displays(see no. 11 also)

13. Selective populism - where a select group are presented as the voice of the people.

In the case of the fan base of one particular club, the oft repeated phrase "We are the people" is used to present a select group as being representative of a larger section of society.

14. Use of newspeak - to reduce the tools and opportunities for critical reasoning.

In the case of one particular club, the frequent publication of official club statements is designed to set a narrow narrative for supporters to minimise their critical thinking and reasoning.

Is there racism in Scottish football?
Yes.

Are there many of the properties of fascism openly on display at one particular Scottish club?
Absolutely yes!