Definitions Fascism

historians, political scientists , other scholars have long debated exact nature of fascism. each interpretation of fascism distinct, leaving many definitions wide or narrow.

one common definition of term focuses on 3 concepts: fascist negations (anti-liberalism, anti-communism , anti-conservatism); nationalist authoritarian goals of creating regulated economic structure transform social relations within modern, self-determined culture; , political aesthetic of romantic symbolism, mass mobilization, positive view of violence , promotion of masculinity, youth , charismatic leadership. according many scholars, fascism—especially once in power—has historically attacked communism, conservatism , parliamentary liberalism, attracting support far-right.

roger griffin describes fascism genus of political ideology mythic core in various permutations palingenetic form of populist ultranationalism . griffin describes ideology having 3 core components: (i) rebirth myth, (ii) populist ultra-nationalism , (iii) myth of decadence . fascism genuinely revolutionary, trans-class form of anti-liberal, , in last analysis, anti-conservative nationalism built on complex range of theoretical , cultural influences. distinguishes inter-war period in manifested in elite-led populist armed party politics opposing socialism , liberalism , promising radical politics rescue nation decadence.

robert paxton says fascism form of political behavior marked obsessive preoccupation community decline, humiliation, or victimhood , compensatory cults of unity, energy, , purity, in mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy effective collaboration traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties , pursues redemptive violence , without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing , external expansion .

umberto eco, kevin passmore, john weiss, ian adams , moyra grant mention racism characteristic component of fascism, e.g. how fascistic dictator adolf hitler idealized german society racially unified , hierarchically organized volksgemeinschaft construct. fascist philosophies vary application, remain distinct 1 theoretic commonality. traditionally fall far-right sector of political spectrum, catalyzed afflicted class identities on conventional social inequities.

john lukacs, hungarian-american historian , holocaust survivor, argues there no such thing generic fascism. claims national socialism , communism manifestations of populism , states such national socialist germany , fascist italy more different similar.

position in political spectrum

fascism in 1920s influenced both left , right, conservative , anti-conservative, national , supranational, rational , anti-rational. fascism founded during world war italian national syndicalists drew upon left-wing organizational tactics , right-wing political views.

some scholars consider fascism right-wing because of social conservatism , authoritarian means of opposing egalitarianism. roderick stackelberg places fascism—including nazism, says radical variant of fascism —on political right explaining: more person deems absolute equality among people desirable condition, further left or on ideological spectrum. more person considers inequality unavoidable or desirable, further right or .

italian fascism gravitated right in 1920s. major element of fascist ideology has been deemed far-right stated goal promote right of supposedly superior people dominate, while purging society of supposedly inferior elements.

in 1920s italian fascists described ideology right-wing in political program doctrine of fascism, stating: free believe century of authority, century tending right, fascist century . mussolini stated fascism s position on political spectrum not serious issue fascists: fascism, sitting on right, have sat on mountain of center ... these words in case not have fixed , unchanged meaning: have variable subject location, time , spirit. don t give damn these empty terminologies , despise terrorized these words .

major italian groups politically on right, rich landowners , big business, feared uprising groups on left such sharecroppers , labour unions. welcomed fascism , supported violent suppression of opponents on left. accommodation of political right italian fascist movement in 1920s created internal factions within movement. fascist left included michele bianchi, giuseppe bottai, angelo oliviero olivetti, sergio panunzio , edmondo rossoni, committed advancing national syndicalism replacement parliamentary liberalism in order modernize economy , advance interests of workers , common people. fascist right included members of paramilitary squadristi , former members of italian nationalist association (ani). squadristi wanted establish fascism complete dictatorship, while former ani members, including alfredo rocco, sought institute authoritarian corporatist state replace liberal state in italy while retaining existing elites. upon accommodating political right, there arose group of monarchist fascists sought use fascism create absolute monarchy under king victor emmanuel iii of italy.

after king victor emmanuel iii forced mussolini resign head of government , placed him under arrest in 1943, mussolini rescued german forces. while continuing rely on germany support, mussolini , remaining loyal fascists founded italian social republic mussolini head of state. mussolini sought re-radicalize italian fascism, declaring fascist state had been overthrown because italian fascism had been subverted italian conservatives , bourgeoisie. new fascist government proposed creation of workers councils , profit-sharing in industry, although german authorities, controlled northern italy @ point, ignored these measures , did not seek enforce them.

a number of post-world war ii fascist movements described third position outside traditional political spectrum. spanish falangist leader josé antonio primo de rivera said: [b]asically right stands maintenance of economic structure, albeit unjust one, while left stands attempt subvert economic structure, though subversion thereof entail destruction of worthwhile .

fascist pejorative

following defeat of axis powers in world war ii, term fascist has been used pejorative, referring varying movements across political spectrum. george orwell wrote in 1944 word fascism entirely meaningless ... english person accept bully synonym fascist .

contrary popular use of term, communist states have been referred fascist , typically insult. example, marxist interpretations of term have been applied in relation cuba under fidel castro , vietnam under ho chi minh.

chinese marxists used term denounce soviet union during sino-soviet split , likewise soviets used term denounce chinese marxists , social democracy (coining new term in social fascism).

in united states, herbert matthews of new york times asked in 1946: should place stalinist russia in same category hitlerite germany? should fascist? . j. edgar hoover, longtime fbi director , ardent anti-communist, wrote extensively of red fascism .

professor richard griffiths of university of wales wrote in 2005 fascism misused, , over-used word, of our times . fascist applied post-world war ii organizations , ways of thinking academics more commonly term neo-fascist .