What Is Fascism?

[LuisDantas]

This is probably the best definition if we want to keep to a few words. Leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler would be good examples. I try remain non-bipartisan in reference to current governments.

It is interesting that Shoghi Effendi who was the leader of the Baha'i Faith for 36 years until his passing during 1957 considered nationalism one of the three great evils of the twentieth century.

I so agree with him on that regard.

 

[idav]

Fascism isn't merely the child of the left or right.

While the right elements are traditionally more inclined to it, in the America it is the left that largely have a stranglehold. The American right isn't a cohesive group, but rather a collection of them who share varying beliefs -- the left has a "my way or the highway" approach more inline with totalitarianism and fascism proper. You can be fascistic without nationalism or authoritarianism, you simply have to have an intolerant ideology. Your ideology isn't tolerant just because it says it is, either.

I don't think so. Fascism is like totalitarianism which is anti-liberal and puts all the power in the state or a single individual. Your fine to just blame the right for fascism. Also what kind of liberal says "my way or the highway"? Are you just joking?

 

[Dawnofhope]

I so agree with him on that regard.

Yes. It is becoming increasingly apparent how interconnected we are and our future lies in greater levels of international cooperation. One planet, one race, one people. Nationalism has become an anachronism. WW2 taught us that and after 70+ years, tragically the stage is set to relearn some painful lessons.

 

[Augustus]

It comes from the word fasten. All that is not willing to fasten itself to and support the Government is cut off. All that is willing to fasten itself to the Government serves to strengthen the Government. Strength comes through unity and numbers.

It has nothing to do with the word fasten, it's to do with the Roman fasces which was a symbol of authority in Ancient Rome carried by the personal guards of certain officials.

The term fascism evolved in Italy, and Mussolini used the fasces as the symbol of his political party, the National Fascist Party.

 

[Augustus]

What is Fascism by your definition?

As a political ideology it is a form of authoritarian and militaristic hypernationalism combined with a state corporatist economy.

Nowadays though, it basically means "anyone vaguely authoritarian that you disagree with". As Orwell noted 60 years ago "The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable’."

 

[Spiderman]

It has nothing to do with the word fasten, it's to do with the Roman fasces which was a symbol of authority in Ancient Rome carried by the personal guards of certain officials.

The term fascism evolved in Italy, and Mussolini used the fasces as the symbol of his political party, the National Fascist Party.

okay, my bad! I had a teacher teach me that it came from the word fasten. Now I know! Thanks!

 

[Spiderman]

so that's interesting it comes from a roman symbol. Fascism has roman roots I guess. Mussolini was trying to restore the roman Empire

 

[Augustus]

so that's interesting it comes from a roman symbol. Fascism has roman roots I guess. Mussolini was trying to restore the roman Empire

Fascism grew out of the 19th C Romantic tradition which often honoured the ancients where people hadn't been corrupted by the virus of modernity. Its extreme nationalism had to be founded on a mythos of the intrinsic greatness of the nation, and in Italy the 'proof' was the Roman Empire. The name was intended to evoke this.

[Mussolini]called to the remembrance of his little group of ex-soldiers the symbol of the Roman power, the fasces, the staves of the lictors. He gave them the ancient Roman salute and made for them a scheme of military and political organization on the model of the old Roman legions; his Fascisti were divided into principi and triari, into maniples, centuries, cohorts, legions; and when they were marching on Rome, he made this solemn affirmation to them at Civitavecchia: "I swear to lead our country once more in the paths of our ancient greatness." The ideal has always remained the same, for he says, "We represent the spirit which once carried the legions of the consuls to the farthest limits of the earth," or again, "The example of Ancient Rome stands before the eyes of all of us, but the Colosseum, the Forum Romanum, only proclaim the glory of the past, and we have to found the glory of today and of tomorrow. (Mussolini and the Roman Empire - K Scott)

 

[Spiderman]

Fascism grew out of the 19th C Romantic tradition which often honoured the ancients where people hadn't been corrupted by the virus of modernity. Its extreme nationalism had to be founded on a mythos of the intrinsic greatness of the nation, and in Italy the 'proof' was the Roman Empire. The name was intended to evoke this.

[Mussolini]called to the remembrance of his little group of ex-soldiers the symbol of the Roman power, the fasces, the staves of the lictors. He gave them the ancient Roman salute and made for them a scheme of military and political organization on the model of the old Roman legions; his Fascisti were divided into principi and triari, into maniples, centuries, cohorts, legions; and when they were marching on Rome, he made this solemn affirmation to them at Civitavecchia: "I swear to lead our country once more in the paths of our ancient greatness." The ideal has always remained the same, for he says, "We represent the spirit which once carried the legions of the consuls to the farthest limits of the earth," or again, "The example of Ancient Rome stands before the eyes of all of us, but the Colosseum, the Forum Romanum, only proclaim the glory of the past, and we have to found the glory of today and of tomorrow. (Mussolini and the Roman Empire - K Scott)

Are you a Historian?

 

[Augustus]

Are you a Historian?

I wish... Nah, I just find it interesting and like reading about it.