Islamic Fascism (courtesy of Wikipedia)

Islamic fascism, the term adopted by journalist Stephen Schwartz, is intended to refer to Islamist extremists, including terrorist groups such as al Qaeda. The term has gained wide currency in the United States, particularly among neo-conservatives. Since the term is intended to be pejorative and was coined by critics of militant Islamist groups, there are no self-identified Islamic fascists. The most recent appellation is by President Bush describing assorted cells of British Muslims of Pakistani origin in England.

In contrast, Wikipedia defines fascism this way: “Fascism is a radical totalitarian political philosophy that combines elements of corporatism, authoritarianism, extreme nationalism, militarism, anti-anarchism, anti-communism and anti-liberalism.”

Since corporatism and other elements are missing from militant Islam, is the term islamofascist really valid, or is it just another attempt by the fascists in our government to redefine away from themselves a nasty but accurate epithet?