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After being immersed in antifascism (theory and otherwise) for awhile, this purposefully vague definition of fascism seems to be the least misleading to me.

People like precise definitions but on this topic, I think the best way to understand fascism is as a shifting confluence of various reactionary forces, being mobilized as street goons or policy influencers. Like the writer said, the state, mostly acting on behalf of the corporate oligarchies, can tolerate the presence of these petty militant reactionaries, playing soldier and preaching whatever hate du jour, as long as they don't get too strong. They're a convenient, blunt instrument to destroy other enemies without getting dirty hands.

This pattern repeats throughout history, across the world and clarifies the differences between different forms of fascism that emerged in different social contexts. The scheme adjusts to its surroundings but the underlying motivations stay the same.