A Crypto Fascist is known as a secret supporter of Fascism! Any individual or groups supporting the ideology falls under the pejorative perspective who are in hidden support to avoid political persecution or political suicide. Crypto-Fascism came into the limelight during the chaos of Democratic National Convention in 1986 when Gore Vidal publically described William F. Buckley, Jr. as a ‘Crypto-Nazi’ and lately correcting himself by denoting the exact term “Crypto-Fascist”.
The etymology of the term has been witnessed at different periods of history. According to few researches, the term Crypto-Fascist was earlier used in a German Language book by the renowned sociologist Theodor W. Adorno.
The Popular Incident
As far as I can tell the only pro- or crypto-Nazi I can see here is yourself. Failing that—“
“Now listen, you queer. Stop calling me a crypto-Nazi.”
Yes! These are the exact words shared between the two greatest America’s public intellectuals while discussing the First Amendment rights that were later on transmogrified threats, and name-calling. After watching the truth-revealing footage of the Chicago cops clubbing hippies in Lincoln Park, the conversation heated up between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley at the time of Democratic Convention, 1968. While Gore was clearly defending the actions and rights of the hippies stating under the protected free speech and right of assembly, on the other hand, Buckley was supporting the strict actions taken by the cops for maintaining the order. Involving the catty little slights, Vidal finally uttered the contentious statement and called up Buckley a “Crypto-Nazi.”
Certainly, Vidal has to renounce his words and clarify what he really meant to call Buckley a “crypto-fascist”. A term which actually came into use in Theodor Adorno writings five years back from the incident. Vidal widely explained his understanding of the concepts of crypto-fascist that states, a person who is an expert in hiding their fascist learnings in the interest of political expediency. At the same time, he claims that the moderator brings up the reference of Nazis in the middle of the discussion that distracted him.
Colloquial Usage
Whereas if we dig into the non-literal version of Crypto-fascism, then it reveals the actual engagement of crypto fascists in public discourse without divulging their motive and general behaviour. It is believed that cryptofascist support their goals through dog-whistle politics and keep their actions on a point that are explicitly critical to their beliefs. The whole scenario was created with an intent to shift the real focus away from criticism and giving charge to some illogical or minor details.
Conclusion
Crypto-fascist, is profoundly known as a controversial term that is often remembered after the Vidal- Beckley incident. Leaving the malice with its meaning, the term is usually principally circumvented by experts and leaders to not to create any new political chaos.