Difference between revisions of "Fascism"
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| − | '''Fascism''' is a political | + | '''Fascism''' is a political ideology of the extreme Right that emerged in early twentieth-century Europe. Though there is no universally agreed definition of what constitutes fascism, its characteristics include governmental [[authoritarianism]], exaltation of the [[State]], extreme [[nationalism]], social and religious conservatism, and a [[corporatist]] economic policy. |
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| + | The prototypical fascist regime was that of [[Benito Mussolini]], who ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943. Other regimes which included fascist elements are those of [[Francisco Franco]] in Spain (1936-1975), [[Antonio Salazar]] in Portugal (1932-1968) and [[Augusto Pinochet]] in Chile (1973-1990). German [[Nazism]] has many similarities to fascism, though the extent to which it can be assimilated to fascism continues to be a matter of debate. | ||
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| + | Though fascism is generally considered to be an ideology of the extreme right, it has important differences from conventional [[conservatism]]: for example, fascists reject free-market capitalism in favor of state-sponsored corporatism. While fascists and conservatives have co-operated in some countries, conservatives have clamped down on fascist movements in others (witness the fate of the Iron Guard in Romania, and Salazar's opposition to the National Syndicalists in Portugal). | ||
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| + | Fascism was comprehensively discredited in the eyes of most Westerners by the defeat of the [[Axis]] powers in [[World War II]], and "fascist" is today frequently used as a term of abuse against one's political opponents. While few people are willing to describe themselves as fascists or endorse the fascist regimes of the past, fascism continues to be a minor but significant force in European politics. | ||
The name "fascism" derives from an ancient Roman symbol, the ''[[fasces]],'' a group of birch rods bundled together with an axe. It symbolizes strength in unity; the rods are weak by themselves but strong when bundled together. | The name "fascism" derives from an ancient Roman symbol, the ''[[fasces]],'' a group of birch rods bundled together with an axe. It symbolizes strength in unity; the rods are weak by themselves but strong when bundled together. | ||
Revision as of 12:39, April 15, 2007
Fascism is a political ideology of the extreme Right that emerged in early twentieth-century Europe. Though there is no universally agreed definition of what constitutes fascism, its characteristics include governmental authoritarianism, exaltation of the State, extreme nationalism, social and religious conservatism, and a corporatist economic policy.
The prototypical fascist regime was that of Benito Mussolini, who ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943. Other regimes which included fascist elements are those of Francisco Franco in Spain (1936-1975), Antonio Salazar in Portugal (1932-1968) and Augusto Pinochet in Chile (1973-1990). German Nazism has many similarities to fascism, though the extent to which it can be assimilated to fascism continues to be a matter of debate.
Though fascism is generally considered to be an ideology of the extreme right, it has important differences from conventional conservatism: for example, fascists reject free-market capitalism in favor of state-sponsored corporatism. While fascists and conservatives have co-operated in some countries, conservatives have clamped down on fascist movements in others (witness the fate of the Iron Guard in Romania, and Salazar's opposition to the National Syndicalists in Portugal).
Fascism was comprehensively discredited in the eyes of most Westerners by the defeat of the Axis powers in World War II, and "fascist" is today frequently used as a term of abuse against one's political opponents. While few people are willing to describe themselves as fascists or endorse the fascist regimes of the past, fascism continues to be a minor but significant force in European politics.
The name "fascism" derives from an ancient Roman symbol, the fasces, a group of birch rods bundled together with an axe. It symbolizes strength in unity; the rods are weak by themselves but strong when bundled together.
Fascists were not conservative in any very meaningful sense. They did not wish to preserve the existing order, or even to turn back the clock to some more stable century. They purposefully planned to transform the existing order into a new and all-absorbing authoritarianism, based upon the energies and frustrations of modern industrialism. The Fascists, in a meaningful sense, were revolutionaries. [1]
References
- ↑ Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., New York Times Magazine, April 4, 1948.
