What is Fascism?
Answer
fas⋅cism [fash-iz-uhm]
–noun
A system of government that flourished in Europe from the 1920s to the end of World War II. Germany under Adolf Hitler and Italy under Mussolini were both fascist states. As a rule, fascist governments are dominated by a dictator, who usually possesses a magnetic personality, wears a showy uniform, and rallies his followers by mass parades; appeals to strident nationalism; and promotes suspicion or hatred of both foreigners and “impure” people within his own nation, such as the Jews in Germany.
Although both communism and fascism are forms of totalitarianism, fascism does not demand state ownership of the means of production, nor is fascism committed to the achievement of economic equality. In theory, communism opposes the identification of government with a single charismatic leader, which is the cornerstone of fascism.
–noun
- a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
- the philosophy, principles, or methods of fascism.
A system of government that flourished in Europe from the 1920s to the end of World War II. Germany under Adolf Hitler and Italy under Mussolini were both fascist states. As a rule, fascist governments are dominated by a dictator, who usually possesses a magnetic personality, wears a showy uniform, and rallies his followers by mass parades; appeals to strident nationalism; and promotes suspicion or hatred of both foreigners and “impure” people within his own nation, such as the Jews in Germany.
Although both communism and fascism are forms of totalitarianism, fascism does not demand state ownership of the means of production, nor is fascism committed to the achievement of economic equality. In theory, communism opposes the identification of government with a single charismatic leader, which is the cornerstone of fascism.
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
- Thomas Jefferson