The threat of fascism is creeping back, and the world is once again seeing the rise of ruthless leaders. In recent years, far-right groups have gained power, fueling dangerous extremist movements across the globe. From Austria to the United States, even strong democracies are no longer safe. What once seemed like history is now happening right in front of us. The warning signs are clear. The time to act is now.
Even in countries that have long valued democracy, these groups are gaining power by pushing nationalist ideas and calling for strict, authoritarian leadership. In the United States, the warning signs are growing: economic struggles, deep political divisions, resentment toward elites, and leaders using strong, controlling language—all of which point to a shift toward the far right.
Some experts see patterns similar to the rise of fascism in the 1920s and 1930s. But instead of just discussing whether history will repeat itself, it’s more important to focus on how to prepare for this possibility.
With that in mind, we have put together a series of articles to help people prepare for a possible fascist takeover.
How to Protect Your Money from an Authoritarian Government
Fascist and authoritarian governments have a history of seizing money and property from political opponents, activists, and others they see as threats. This article will explore ways to protect your assets if a government starts targeting people for their beliefs.
Who is Targeted First
- Journalists and News Outlets – Dictators like Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany, along with his propaganda minister Goebbels, silenced opposition newspapers. Many governments, including Russia and Germany, controlled the media to spread their own messages.
- Political Opponents – Not just politicians, but also leftists and civil rights activists who stood against the government were targeted.
- Intellectuals and Professionals – Academics, lawyers, and writers who spoke out against the government faced serious consequences. At best, they were censored or banned from working. At worst, they were jailed or even killed.
- Ethnic and Religious Minorities – These groups were often blamed for the country’s problems and treated as enemies by nationalist leaders, leading to discrimination and persecution.
Methods of Asset Freezing or Requisition
Authoritarian governments have utilized various methods of freezing or seizing opponents’ assets. They may:
- Seize and freeze bank accounts (Communist China, Hitler’s Germany, Putin’s Russia)
- Confiscate land and natural resources (Imperial Japan, Francoist Spain, Fascist Italy)
- Seize businesses (Peron’s Argentina, Vichy France, Imperialist Japan, Venezuela’s Chavez & Maduro)
They will often justify this by asserting such actions are necessary, often as some punitive measure, and likely for the sake of national security.
- Note: In addition to political opponents, some regimes confiscated property from expatriates who flee the country.
How to Protect Yourself
- Diversify your assets
- Make sure you have assets and stores of value outside the financial banking system
- Investigate opening a foreign bank account in a stable country with strong legal protections.
- Consider decentralized currency such as cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), or precious metals
- Consider having a source of cash handy in the event you require emergency flight or evacuation
- Physical asset protection
- If you have significant wealth to protect, investigate property ownership in a stable foreign country with strong legal protections
- Secure precious metals or other valuables and store them in independent banking institutions
- Be Wary of your Digital Trail
- Remember that your computer and phone will betray you. Use encrypted communication and VPN to protect your communications and financial information.
- International Citizenship Options and Residency
Research whether you qualify for dual citizenship with another country. Oftentimes, countries grant dual citizenship by descent if your parents or other family members were citizens. These countries include, but are not limited to:
- Austria – (Who may qualify: Descendants of victims of Nazi-era persecution)
- Canada – (Who may qualify: First generation born outside of Canada to a Canadian citizen
- Germany – (Who may qualify: Descendants of German citizens and permanent residents who were victims of the Nazi regime)
- Italy – (Who may qualify: Great-grandchildren of Italian citizens)
- Ireland – (Who may qualify: Children of an Irish citizen)
- Israel – (Who may qualify: Children of a parent born in Israel)
- Mexico – (Who may qualify: Children of a Mexican citizen)
- Poland – (Who may qualify: Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Polish citizens)
- Portugal – (Who may qualify: Children or grandchildren of Portuguese citizens)
- Spain – (Who may qualify: Children of a Spanish citizen)
Other countries offer also citizenship by descent, so make sure you research your options. And many countries offer non-ancestry dual citizenship for Americans often involving residency and demonstrated proficiency in the national language. For wealthy applicants, countries such as Malta and Portugal offer “Golden Visas”, or citizenship in return for financial contribution.
What to Watch For
Pay attention to government action against political protesters, opposition figures, and asset seizures targeting alleged enemies of the country. Try to follow reputable news sources that are independent from the government, or follow quality international news sources if that does not pose a danger to you. The BBC is a good starting point.
Remember:
“The human brain works by identifying patterns. It uses information from the past to understand what is happening in the present and to anticipate the future. This strategy works elegantly in most situations. But we inevitably see patterns where they don’t exist. In other words, we are slow to recognize exceptions. There is also the peer-pressure factor. All of us have been in situations that looked ominous, and they almost always turn out to be innocuous. If we behave otherwise, we risk social embarrassment by overreacting. So we err on the side of under-reacting.”
– The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes and Why by Amanda Ripley.
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