Fascism

Definition

Fascism is an authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the good of the nation, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. It often stands in opposition to democracy, liberalism, and Marxism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fascism emphasizes the subordination of the individual to the state and the promotion of an authoritarian, nationalistic, and often racist ideology.
2. Fascist regimes typically make use of patriotic slogans, symbols, ceremonies, and mass rallies to stir up support.
3. Fascism is often associated with the use of violent methods to achieve political ends, including the suppression of opposition and the persecution of minority groups.
4. Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany are considered classic examples of fascist regimes in the 20th century.
5. Fascism is generally seen as being in opposition to democratic values and principles, such as individual rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.

Review Questions

• Explain how the key features of fascism, such as authoritarianism, ultranationalism, and the subordination of the individual to the state, relate to the concept of government.
  • Fascism's emphasis on a strong, centralized government with absolute authority over its citizens is in direct opposition to the principles of democracy and limited government. The fascist model of government prioritizes the interests of the state and the nation above individual rights and liberties, with the goal of achieving national unity and power through authoritarian control. This stands in contrast to the democratic ideal of government by the people, for the people, which seeks to balance the needs of the state with the rights and freedoms of the individual. The fascist approach to government is inherently at odds with the fundamental tenets of a representative, constitutional system that values pluralism and the protection of minority rights.
• Analyze how the fascist rejection of liberal democracy and its promotion of a hierarchical, militaristic social structure might impact the role and function of government in a society.
  • The fascist rejection of liberal democracy and its embrace of a highly centralized, authoritarian form of government would significantly alter the role and function of government in a society. Instead of serving as a representative body that protects the rights and freedoms of its citizens, the government under fascism would become a tool for the imposition of the ruling party's ideology and the suppression of dissent. The fascist government would seek to exert total control over all aspects of public and private life, from the economy to the education system, in order to achieve its nationalist and militaristic goals. This would likely result in the erosion of civil liberties, the persecution of minority groups, and the concentration of power in the hands of a small, unelected elite. The function of government would shift away from serving the people and towards the maintenance of the fascist regime, with the ultimate aim of promoting the interests of the state and the nation above all else.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of a fascist government's approach to the role and function of government, and how it might impact the principles of democratic governance and the protection of individual rights.
  • The implementation of a fascist system of government would have severe and far-reaching consequences for the principles of democratic governance and the protection of individual rights. By rejecting the core tenets of democracy, such as the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the peaceful transfer of power, a fascist regime would seek to consolidate its control through the use of authoritarian tactics, including the suppression of opposition, the persecution of minority groups, and the curtailment of civil liberties. This would fundamentally undermine the ability of citizens to participate in the political process and hold their government accountable. Furthermore, the fascist emphasis on the subordination of the individual to the state would lead to the erosion of personal freedoms and the erosion of the protections afforded to individual rights. The resulting society would be characterized by a rigid, hierarchical social structure, the glorification of militarism and nationalism, and the centralization of power in the hands of a small, unelected elite. The long-term impact of such a system would be the complete subversion of the democratic ideals that form the foundation of a free and open society.

Related terms

Authoritarianism: A form of government in which the ruler or ruling class exercises absolute power over the lives of citizens, with no constitutional limitations.

Ultranationalism: An extreme form of nationalism that promotes the interests of one nation above all others, often in an aggressive or fanatical manner.

Totalitarianism: A political system in which the state has total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.