My answer to the title question is that not Chassidim are Chassidic either. What was once only a reference to a particular approach to Avodas Hashem has become a sociological label. It has become enormously difficult to know anything about someone’s Avodas Hashem by which European city is the brand name for the Rebbe they follow or the kehila where they associate. For that matter, Litvishe are not Litvish either. These are labels applied for convenience, and are more related to someone’s affiliations and attire. And even these have proven to be rather fluid and dynamic.
Someone I know compares different Chassidic groups to competitive sports teams, where the focus on the real rules of the game is very secondary to the competition and pursuit of victory. Just a few generations ago, there was a preoccupation with being better at fulfilling the Ratzon Hashem, with nuances of simcha, certain minhagim, recognizing the kedushas haneshomoh of the “simple” Yid, and the self effacing chesed to those in need. Sadly, many of these are no longer the hallmarks of chassidus. The focus has strayed deep into the the chitzoniyus, the glitter and pomp, and the photographic publicity of the “grandeur” of the particular groups/leaders. The Litvishe velt is not far behind on this either.
I have often wondered whether someone could create an app that would identify true Yir’as Shomayim, or a sensor that would display real kedusha. We are being physically blinded from these with the flashing lights of chitzoniyus, and deluded into believing that it is the color of the beketshe or the number of spectators that determines one’s true spiritual value. It is my firm belief that the Baal Shem Tov did not subscribe to this secular focus.