What is Fascism?

Question

What is the origin, main beliefs, influential thinkers/leaders, examples, and strengths/weaknesses of fascism?

Answer 1

Fascism is a radical political ideology that combines elements of corporatism, authoritarianism, nationalism, militarism, anti-anarchism, anti-communism and anti-liberalism.

The word fascism stems from the Italian word fascio (plural: fasci), which may mean bundle, as in a political or militant group, or a nation. The term also comes from the fasces (rods bundled around an axe), which was an ancient Roman symbol of the authority of magistrates. The symbolism of the fasces suggested strength through unity; a single rod is easily broken, while the bundle is very difficult to break.

Originally, the term fascism was used by an Italian political movement that ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini (see Italian fascism). Later, fascism became a more generic term that was meant to cover an entire class of authoritarian political ideologies, parties, and political systems, though no consensus was ever achieved on a precise definition of what it means to be "fascist". It is often said that fascism is right-wing authoritarianism, but this is not very specific, since the term right-wing itself is vague and controversial. Various scholars have sought to define fascism, and a list of such definitions can be found in the article definitions of fascism.

Leon Trotsky, a prominent leader in the Russian Revolution defined fascism in his 1944 pamphlet Fascism; What It Is and How to Fight It. He believed that fascism occurs when "the workers' organizations are annihilated; that the proletariat is reduced to an amorphous state; and that a system of administration is created which penetrates deeply into the masses and which serves to frustrate the independent crystallization of the proletariat."

Part of the difficulty arises from the fact that there are very few self-identified fascists. The word has become a slur throughout the political spectrum since the defeat of the Axis powers in World War II, and it has been extremely uncommon for any political groups to call themselves fascist since 1945. In contemporary political discourse, adherents of some political ideologies tend to associate fascism with their enemies, or define it as the opposite of their own views. There are no major self-described fascist parties or organizations anywhere in the world.

The governments and parties most often considered to have been fascist include Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, Spain's Falange, Portugal's Estado Novo, Hungary's Arrow Cross Party, Romania's Iron Guard, and other similar movements that existed across Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. Some authors reject this broader use of the term or exclude certain of these parties and regimes.[1]

Answer 2

Fascism "a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism." Communism "a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state."

Answer 3

Fascism is a political system where all political parties are removed and you vote for individuals, one of the people is elected as head of state and is given near absolute power.
For example, in the usa the president would be given near absolute power and would be in charge for 4 years and then maybe get re-elected.
Congress would have the power to depose the president whit 2/3 majority.

Fascism has nothing to do whit economics(Socialism,capitalism) or industry.

Answer 4

Governmental system led by a dictator having complete power,
forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all
industry, commerce,etc and emphasizing an aggressive nation-
alism and often rascism!! Fascism was established by Mussolini in Italy (1922 - 1943)

Answer 5

Examples: The PNAC, neo-cons, the Bush-it Administration.

Answer 6

its a word demoncrats throw around without know what it really is. if the govm isnt run by communist its run by republicans aka to the haters of troops as facist.

Answer 7

Nazi,zieg hiel...Hitler,

Answer 8

yahoo answers