You Could Make a Case for That

The same prop-Tony folks who call Steve an American Imperialist often call Steve a fascist. It's more evidence of prop-Tony folks not bothering to look up definitions, and of course, not understanding irony. Because Tony is the most fascist "hero" of the MCU.

According to Wikipedia, fascism is "a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition and strong regimentation of society and of the economy." Now, Steve Rogers rejects the government party line when it is obviously wrong in each of his films. Tony Stark believes in becoming an official attack dog for the U.N. (really the U.S.) and government suppression of others' rights as long as it doesn't interfere with his life and his multi-billions. Not to mention Ultron and EDITH are pretty obvious tools for dictatorial power and forcible suppression.

Note: Back to not-as-naive Peter and the gang. Set before Homecoming and then during Far From Home. References events in Ant Man and the Wasp.

Peter groaned when he looked at the next assignment of his Poli-Sci sub-group. He said, "From Imperialism into Fascism? Are they TRYING to make us depressed right before break?"

MJ snorted and said, "Well, if you believe the pharmaceutical-educational conspiracy to over-medicate America's children for profit..."

Ned shook his head and said, "Do NOT start on that. Last time you used up all our study time making that crazy chart."

MJ replied, "Crazy because it made sense. But you're right, we've got to figure out an angle to approach the project."

Peter clenched his hands under the table and said, "I'd kind of like to look at how people could agree to support these regimes. I mean, isn't it pretty obvious they're wrong?"

Ned shook his head and said, "I dunno. Look at how many people said the Accords were good just because Iron Man wanted them. I mean, after you read about how they let governments treat enhanced people--"

MJ interrupted to say, "Not just enhanced people. People with tech and people viewed as threats to the powers that be. After all, Hank Pym wasn't involved in anything that happened, but he was targeted by the Accords. And from what I've heard, Falcon, Hawkeye, and other non-enhanced people were being treated exactly the same as the Avengers who were enhanced."

Peter frowned and said, "That doesn't sound right. But the Avengers--the Avengers who are left--haven't said anything about it?"

Ned shook his head and said, "No, they haven't said anything. They're going along with the government. Does that make them fascist?"

MJ thought about it a moment, then said, "I think you're on to something. We can do our project on how people go along to get along, even with fascism. Because they're scared, they don't know what's really going on, they agree with the fascist principles and don't think about the methods, or because they just don't care as long as they're not personally affected."

Peter looked down at the table and wondered which category Mr. Stark fell into.

When the bus got to the hotel, Peter ignored the buzzing of his phone. He pulled Ned with him into a closet and said, "I don't know what to do."

Ned asked, "About what?"

Peter swallowed, then said, "You know all that stuff on the road with the goats? That was me. Me and...EDITH."

Ned looked at Peter like he was crazy and asked, "Who's Edith? There's nobody new in our group."

Peter handed over the glasses and said, "EDITH is an AI created by Mr. Stark. Ned, Edith can spy on ANYBODY. And she...I...she tried to kill Brad because of something I said. She almost killed ALL of us."

Ned put on the glasses, then took them off and said, "They're just glasses. Are you pranking me, Parker?"

Peter shook his head and said, "You and Betty were texting each other---Miss you. Miss you more."

Ned handed them back and said, "So you're telling me that Iron Man spied on people? And he made a weapon that can kill people with a voice command?"

Peter nodded, then said, "I don't know what to do. This doesn't seem right, but...I don't know what to do."

Ned bit his lip, then said, "This reminds me of, you know, back in Poli-Sci? We talked about fascists, and what they did. Peter...this sounds like it's built to be--whatever the definition was--dictatorial power and forcible suppression of opposition."

Peter protested, "But I'd never use it that way!"

Ned shrugged and said, "Sounds like you already did."

Peter dropped his head as he said, "You're right. This thing is so wrong, I can't...I can't let ANYBODY use it. Even me."

He carefully put the glasses in their case and put them away. He'd have to find a way to make sure that NO ONE could ever use EDITH again. Even him.

Peter never realized that keeping EDITH to himself also kept his secret identity safe. And when Mysterio was revealed as a fraud, Peter felt even better about not letting EDITH be used.

But he never got over his disappointment to learn that Mister Stark had planned to use EDITH for himself. Peter realized that despite helping to destroy Thanos, Iron Man wasn't much of a hero.