Fascism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fascism /ˈfæʃɪzəm/ is a form of radical
authoritarian nationalism[1][2] that came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe, influenced by
national syndicalism. Fascism
originated in Italy during
World War Iand
spread to other European countries. Fascism opposes
liberalism,
Marxism and
anarchism and is usually placed on the
far-right within the traditional
left–right spectrum.
[3][4]
Fascists saw
World War I as a
revolution that brought massive changes in the nature of war, society, the state, and technology. The advent of
total war and total mass mobilization of society had broken down the distinction between civilian and combatant. A "military citizenship" arose in which all citizens were involved with the military in some manner during the war.
[5][6] The war had resulted in the rise of a powerful state capable of mobilizing millions of people to serve on the front lines and providing economic production and logistics to support them, as well as having unprecedented authority to intervene in the lives of citizens.
[5][6]
Fascists believe that
liberal democracy is obsolete, and they regard the complete mobilization of society under a
totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties.
[7] Such a state is led by a strong leader—such as a
dictatorand a
martial government composed of the members of the governing fascist party—to forge national unity and maintain a stable and orderly society.
[7] Fascism rejects assertions that violence is automatically negative in nature, and views political violence, war, and
imperialism as means that can achieve national rejuvenation.
[8][9][10][11] Fascists advocate a
mixed economy, with the principal goal of achieving
autarky through
protectionist and interventionist economic policies.
[12]
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