Fascism is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism, characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of
opposition and control of industry and commerce, which came to prominence in
early 20th-century Europe. The first
fascist movements emerged in Italy during World War I before it spread to other
European countries. Opposed to liberalism, Marxism and anarchism, fascism is
usually placed on the far-right within the traditional left–right spectrum.
Background of Emergence
Fascists saw World War I as a
revolution that brought massive changes to the nature of war, society, the
state and technology. The advent of
total war and the total mass mobilization of society had broken down the
distinction between civilians and combatants. A "military
citizenship" arose in which all citizens were involved with the military
in some manner during the war. The
war had resulted in the rise of a powerful state capable of mobilizing millions
of people to serve on the front lines and providing economic production and
logistics to support them, as well as having unprecedented authority to
intervene in the lives of citizens.
Fascists believe that liberal
democracy is obsolete and they regard the complete
mobilization of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to
prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic
difficulties. Such a state is led by a strong
leader—such as a dictator and a martial government composed of the members
of the governing fascist party—to forge national unity and maintain a stable
and orderly society. Fascism rejects assertions that violence is automatically
negative in nature and views political violence,
war and imperialism as means that can achieve national rejuvenation.
Fascists advocate a mixed economy, with the principal goal of achieving autarky
through protectionist and interventionist economic policies.
Basic Features of Fascism
Part of the reason why fascism
seems to apply to so many different social and political viewpoints is that it
is notoriously difficult to define. Still, there are some basic principles
that can identify a Fascist movement:
- Absolute power of the State: The Fascist state is a glorious, living entity that is more important than any individual. All individuals are part of the State, but the State is greater than the sum of its parts. All individuals must set aside their own needs and supplicate themselves to the needs of the State. There is no law or other power that can limit the authority of the State.
- Survival of the fittest: A Fascist state is only as glorious and powerful as its ability to wage wars and win them. Peace is viewed as weakness, aggression as strength. Strength is the ultimate good and ensures the survival of the State.
- Strict social order: Social classes are strictly maintained in order to avoid "mob rule" or any hint of chaos. Chaos is a threat to the State. The State's absolute power and greatness depends on the maintenance of a class system in which every individual has a specific place, and that place cannot be altered.
- Authoritarian leadership: To maintain the power and greatness of the State requires a single, charismatic leader with absolute authority. This all-powerful, heroic leader maintains the unity and unquestioning submission required by the Fascist state. The authoritarian leader is often viewed as a symbol of the State.
Authoritarianism is not equal to Fascism
Some people use
"fascist" to describe any authoritarian person or government. But as
you can see, authoritarianism is only part of the philosophy. Communism under
Stalin was an authoritarian political philosophy, too; but Fascism is directly
opposed to Communism (along with democracy, liberalism, humanism and
rationalism). Aside from the above principles, a Fascist state also typically promotes a private economy that
submits to government regulation; immediate (and often violent) submission of
any opposing views; the ethnic dominance of its own people and the lower status
of outsiders.
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