Difference between revisions of "Fascism"
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'''Fascism''' is a political ideology that arose in early twentieth-century Europe and came to dominate the political systems of a number of European and other nations. The last European fascist regime, that of [[Francisco Franco]] in Spain, came to an end in 1975. | '''Fascism''' is a political ideology that arose in early twentieth-century Europe and came to dominate the political systems of a number of European and other nations. The last European fascist regime, that of [[Francisco Franco]] in Spain, came to an end in 1975. | ||
| − | There is no generally agreed definition of fascism, but its characteristics include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government; militarism; information control and censorship; and a rejection | + | There is no generally agreed definition of fascism, but its characteristics include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government; an emphasis on [[nationalism]] and national traditions; militarism; information control and censorship; and a rejection both of free enterprise and of socialism in favor of [[corporatism|corporatist]] economic policies. |
| − | 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) and [[Antonio Salazar]] in Portugal (1932-1968). German [[Nazism]] has many similarities to fascism, though the extent to which it can be identified as | + | 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) and [[Antonio Salazar]] in Portugal (1932-1968). German [[Nazism]] has many similarities to fascism, though the extent to which it can be identified as a form of fascism continues to be a matter of debate. For one thing, fascism tends to lack Nazism's obsession with [[race]]. |
| − | Though fascism is generally considered to be an ideology of the extreme right, it has important differences from conventional [[conservatism]]: for example, fascists favor | + | Though fascism is generally considered to be an ideology of the extreme right, it has important differences from conventional [[conservatism]]: for example, fascists favor state-sponsored corporatism over the free market (though they are vehemently opposed to socialism). Fascists and conservatives have co-operated in many countries, but conservatives have clamped down on fascist movements in others (witness, for example, the fate of the Iron Guard in Romania). Mussolini himself started out on the political Left. |
| − | Fascism was comprehensively discredited in the eyes of most Westerners because of the defeat of the [[Axis]] powers in [[World War II]], and "fascist" is today frequently used as a term of abuse both on the left and on the right against one's political opponents. While few people are willing to describe themselves as fascists or endorse the fascist regimes of the past, | + | Fascism was comprehensively discredited in the eyes of most Westerners because of the defeat of the [[Axis]] powers in [[World War II]], and "fascist" is today frequently used as a term of abuse both on the left and on the right against one's political opponents. While few people are willing to describe themselves as fascists or endorse the fascist regimes of the past, fascist parties and parties descended from fascist parties (such as the [[Alleanza Nazionale]] in [[Italy]]) continue to be a minor force in European politics. Fascism seems not to flourish in countries with an Anglo-centric heritage: America, Australia and Canada have never had significant fascist movements, and the [[British Union of Fascists]] was never an important force in UK 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 18:51, May 11, 2007
Fascism is a political ideology that arose in early twentieth-century Europe and came to dominate the political systems of a number of European and other nations. The last European fascist regime, that of Francisco Franco in Spain, came to an end in 1975.
There is no generally agreed definition of fascism, but its characteristics include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government; an emphasis on nationalism and national traditions; militarism; information control and censorship; and a rejection both of free enterprise and of socialism in favor of corporatist economic policies.
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) and Antonio Salazar in Portugal (1932-1968). German Nazism has many similarities to fascism, though the extent to which it can be identified as a form of fascism continues to be a matter of debate. For one thing, fascism tends to lack Nazism's obsession with race.
Though fascism is generally considered to be an ideology of the extreme right, it has important differences from conventional conservatism: for example, fascists favor state-sponsored corporatism over the free market (though they are vehemently opposed to socialism). Fascists and conservatives have co-operated in many countries, but conservatives have clamped down on fascist movements in others (witness, for example, the fate of the Iron Guard in Romania). Mussolini himself started out on the political Left.
Fascism was comprehensively discredited in the eyes of most Westerners because of the defeat of the Axis powers in World War II, and "fascist" is today frequently used as a term of abuse both on the left and on the right against one's political opponents. While few people are willing to describe themselves as fascists or endorse the fascist regimes of the past, fascist parties and parties descended from fascist parties (such as the Alleanza Nazionale in Italy) continue to be a minor force in European politics. Fascism seems not to flourish in countries with an Anglo-centric heritage: America, Australia and Canada have never had significant fascist movements, and the British Union of Fascists was never an important force in UK 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.
