Political Study: Fascism

I always enjoyed talking politics in college, and started to really dive deeper during my time in Chicago 2008. It was then that I began to understand the true difference between a republican and a democrat or the far-right and far-left ideologies. At the end of the day it boils down to one major factor; the government's role in the distribution of wealth. The far-left would favor a classless society where the government controls all components of the wealth distribution in a more balanced approach. Whereas the far right would favor a capitalist society with zero government intervention to allow for complete free trade, thus creating a society of classes. However the exception to these economic approaches is the ideology of fascism, which almost incorporates communist and capitalist ideals.

The key component of fascism is a totalitarian regime, where one single ideology controls the government. This does away with a democratic system of elections or checks-and-balances, rather a complete authoritarian approach to governmental affairs. It is a practice of nationalism, where individual liberties are set aside for the good of the nation. The economy allows for some free trade, but it is ultimately controlled by the government. However it is also very against the communist ideals of class struggle, and rather puts heavy emphasis on private property and a social hierarchy. This totalitarian state is achieved thru political violence, censorship, and propaganda to impose their will upon the people. 

The key element of a fascist government is their supreme leader, referred to as a dictator. The role of the dictator is far more privileged than that of a president, almost on par with a king or an emperor. It's his vision and decisions that drive the course of the nation. This was certainly the case for fascist Italy under Mussolini, fascist Spain under Francisco Franco, and fascist Germany under Adolf Hitler. However Germany's fascist ideology had a heavy component of racism and is thus considered it's own form of political ideology known as Nazism. I intend to dive deeper into the ideology of Nazism, as that was without question the most influential fascist government. But first I want to cover the history and distinguishing components of fascism. I touched upon this in 2012, but that was more of a focus on Mussolini's Rise to Power rather then the political ideology (see Rise of Italian Fascism)

 

Origins of Fascism

Throughout the 1800s to early 1900s the monarchy system had begun to collapse and was being replaced by federal democracy. The United States was the first government to establish a true democracy free from one single leader. On the flip side the French Revolution demonstrated early examples of a totalitarian state with militarism and political purging lead by their leader Napoleon. However it wasn't until WWI that the ideologies of totalitarianism were put into effect as many empires and monarchies began to collapse. The first nation to develop a true totalitarian structure was the Soviet Union, thru their Communist Revolution in 1917. Italy became the first Fascist totalitarian state in 1925, and can be considered the true origins of fascism.

The term "fascism" came from a nationalist movement within Italy to join World War I as a way to strengthen their influence. It's image was a fasces bundle of wood and an axe which represented the power of the law. Benito Mussolini was a key figure in this movement and established the League of Revolutionary Action in 1914. This notion of national socialism began to gain traction throughout the war. It essentially rejected the ideas of the French Revolution such as liberty and individualism in place of duty to one's nation. After the war, Mussolini's party transformed into the Italian Fasces of Combat and eventually the National Fascist Party by 1921. Germany also established their own national socialist party in 1919 known as the German Worker's Party. Both political parties held similar ideals of national pride while rejecting communism. 

The first official fascist manifesto was written by Alceste de Ambris and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti in 1919. It was published in the Italian newspapers and displayed their ideas of national syndicalism, militarism, and futurism. However this manifesto was still a bit on the left-leaning side trying to appeal to universal suffrage and the working class. By 1922 Mussolini seized power of Italy and began to put some of these ideas to practice, such as state-police. However he eventually revised the manifesto to empower the wealthy in the 1932 Doctrine of Fascism. This can be seen as the definitive fascist manifesto with it's far-right ideology that supports free trade in a totalitarian controlled state. So surprisingly it's fair to say that it was Mussolini and not Hitler who is regarded as the founder of fascism. 

Political Components

At it's core definition fascism is the empowerment of the nation. It puts the nation above everything else, including individual rights. It is the utmost practice of patriotism where the nation is united into one political party that shares a common goal for the betterment of the nation. In order to achieve this unified state of nationalism, the government is structured into one of totalitarianism (where the state holds complete influence over it's people). It is ruled by a a single dictator, who has supreme power over all, and portrays a divine cult of personality. The dictator is able to maintain total control of the government thru it's paramilitary institution. All components of the government run thru the dictator and fall in line with Fascist party ideology. 

Another key element of their government is a high emphasis on militarism. This way the government can control the population thru fear and violence as needed. They also use the military as a positive form of propaganda, to embed cultural values of duty, discipline, and honor (as if glorifying war). This war mongering agenda served as a rally cry to continuously strengthen the nation's people. It is also a necessary tool for expansionism which is another important element of fascism. Both Italy and Germany sought to not only regain lost territories but conquer new territory throughout Europe to expand their nations into empires. 

Economic Components

The key distinction of a fascist versus communist government is the role they play in the economy. Fascists supported the ideal of corporatism, which still empowered the wealthy and sought to eliminate class conflict. Labor unions and strikes were driven out and replaced by syndicates that supported the corporate interest. Therefore business owners could still maintain their lands and profits as long as they adhered to the state's political direction. It was a form of authoritarian capitalism, like a partnership between the private and public sectors. Whereas a communist government was completely against free trade, controlled all industry, and made all social classes equal regardless of skill or talent. 

Another key component of the fascist economy was a nationalized industry, where the majority of trade and production was done within the state. This form of economic self-sufficiency (also known as autarky) sought to eliminate the need for foreign resources. High tariffs were put in place to discourage foreign exchange of imports. The state also put heavy emphasis on their infrastructure (roads, railways, buildings, etc) which boosted employment. Their main industry became their war machine, strengthening their military thru new armament production and facilities. The fascist ideal of expansionism was a necessary economy component to increase their national resources. This was ultimately achieved with their priority on military production. 

Social Components

The final key element of the fascist revolution was the complete overhaul of social values. This to me is always the most interesting piece, where an entire society can somehow get behind a political ideal as they did for Italy and Germany during the 1930s. This was ultimately achieved thru a very charismatic leader such as Mussolini or Hitler that established a cult of personality. Thru passionate oratory and propaganda this head-of-state quickly became a heroic idol among the people. The population was also influenced by the paramilitary who simply used "bully tactics" to coerce their agenda among the people. Thru heavy propaganda and the use of political violence the state is able to clearly send out their message to fall-in-line or get out. 

The public's role in a fascist government is vital and required for the production and advancement of the nation. This new ideal is heavily influenced by the government thru propaganda and new education. One of the key elements is that individual liberties such as freedom of speech, press, or assembly are abolished. Everything must be done for the betterment of the nation. Weakness is discouraged thru social Darwinism where only the strong shall survive. Strength, honor, duty, and national pride are encouraged among the people (especially by joining the paramilitary or the army). 

Traditional gender roles sought to replace feminism, by encouraging large families where the man went to work or war while the woman cared for the family. The youth was the vital cornerstone in developing a new society of national pride for the future. Education was completely reformed to promote all Fascist ideals. The people were expected to admire their national heritage (whether that be the glory of Rome or their Catholic faith) yet also welcome this age of rebirth. Modernism and technology were seen as crucial movements towards a more efficient nation. It was essentially a complete overhaul of society, that underwent a brief cultural renaissance, before burning in a firestorm.