Changes

'''Fascism''' is a [[Big government]], [[totalitarian]], economic and political ideology that arose in early twentieth century Europe and came to dominate the social and political systems of Italy under [[Benito Mussolini]] and Germany under [[Adolf Hitler]]. Fascism was primarily [[statist]] in nature, relying on big government solutions and "[[crony capitalism]]", and openly hostile towards conventional [[religion]]. Fascism was influential in Portugal as well, and had followers in most European countries and in Argentina. The last regime that had some fascist elements, that of [[Francisco Franco]] in Spain, came to an end in 1975.

'''Fascism''' is a [[big government]], [[totalitarian]], [[economic]], and [[political]] [[ideology]] that arose in early twentieth century [[Europe]] and came to dominate the social and political systems of [[Italy]] under [[Benito Mussolini]] and [[Germany]] under [[Adolf Hitler]]. Fascism was primarily [[statist]] in nature, relying on big [[government]] solutions and "[[crony capitalism]]", and openly hostile towards conventional [[religion]]. Fascism was influential in [[Portugal]] as well, and had followers in most European countries and in [[Argentina]]. The last regime that had some fascist elements, that of [[Francisco Franco]] in [[Spain]], came to an end in 1975.

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.  Historian [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]] has stated,  

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.  Historian [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]] has stated,  

{{Cquote|The 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 [[revolution]]aries.<ref>[http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schlesinger-notrightleft.html Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center], [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]], ''New York Times Magazine'', April 4, 1948.</ref>}}<br>

{{Cquote|The 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 [[revolution]]aries.<ref>[http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schlesinger-notrightleft.html Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center], [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]], ''New York Times Magazine'', April 4, 1948.</ref>}}<br>

== Beliefs ==

== Beliefs ==

Fascists believe that all actions should be done for the good of the state; they reject [[classical liberalism]], which upholds the rights of the individual. Fascism ignores or rejects Christianity, though some fascist leaders such as Franco have exploited organized religion for political gain. This definition extends to economic policy as well, with government and business made to work together for this end. This is called "corporatism."  

Fascists believe that all actions should be done for the good of the state; they reject [[classical liberalism]], which upholds the rights of the individual. Fascism ignores or rejects [[Christianity]], though some fascist leaders such as Franco have exploited organized religion for political gain. This definition extends to economic policy as well, with government and business made to work together for this end. This is called "corporatism."  

Characteristics of fascism include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government and violence; preference for centralized [[economic planning]]; an emphasis on [[nationalism]] and national traditions; militarism; information control and censorship; media propagation of the Great Leader which demonizes and trivializes his critics; and a rejection of both free enterprise and [[Socialism]] in favor of [[corporatism|corporatist]] economic policies.  

Characteristics of fascism include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government and violence; preference for centralized [[economic planning]]; an emphasis on [[nationalism]] and national traditions; militarism; information control and censorship; media propagation of the Great Leader which demonizes and trivializes his critics; and a rejection of both free enterprise and [[Socialism]] in favor of [[corporatism|corporatist]] economic policies.  

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Nazism]]

*[[Nazism]]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Eatwell, Roger. ''Fascism: A History.'' (1996). 432 pp.

* Eatwell, Roger. ''Fascism: A History.'' (1996). 432 pp.

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Forms of Government]]

[[Category:Forms of Government]]