Unit 4.6 Fascism and Mussolini

Big Ideas:

• Appreciate how citizens and citizenship are affected by the promotion of ideological principles.
• Appreciate that individuals and groups may adhere to various ideologies.
• Analyze ideological systems that rejected liberalism.
• Evaluate the extent to which resistance to liberalism is justified.

Fascism

Communism can be characterized as an ideology of the far left, and fascism can be characterized as a ideology of the extreme right. During the 20th century (1900s), fascism's ideology was shared by the governments of Italy, Germany, Spain, and Japan. However, fascist movements were in evidence in Britain, France, and other European countries. Fascist policies also found supporters in the United States and Canada.

On the spectrum, fascism is located as shown:

The word "fascism" comes from the Latin word fascis meaning "bundle".  Fascists often use the image of a bundle of sticks and an axe in their propaganda. The idea is that one stick is easy to snap, but a bundle of sticks is very difficult, if not impossible, to break, representing strength through unity. An axe is usually tied into the bundle as a symbol of power and authority.

Fascism has no single guiding philosophy or founding political theory. Rather, it is based on several powerful ideas as well as the fascist experience of the 20th century. Fascism is totalitarian dictatorship. That is, the government is controlled by a dictator, a person who, through force, has complete control over the lives of the people. With the ideals of unity and power, fascism is founded mostly on principles of ultranationalism, elitism, racism, and militarism.

Ultranationalism

To fascists, the nation is central to an understanding of life. The nation is an expression of common purpose. Through their contribution to the achievement of national greatness, individuals can find their worth. The nation takes on spiritual qualities that bind people together. People work for the betterment of the nation. They join in celebration of national greatness. They are prepared to fight and die in the service of their nation.

On the surface, this might appear to be collectivism; to fascists, it is not. Fascists abhor collectivism and actually promote social Darwinism. This is based on the idea that only the strongest survive, which comes from Darwin's theory of evolution. In this respect, fascists believe that only individuals who are strong will gain power from the weak. They also believe that this is true among nations as well as inside a country. Strong nations are destined to control weak ones.

Elitism

Fascists reject liberal forms of government. To fascists, liberalism is indecisive and weak. Liberal democracy's attempt to represent the interests of the majority of people makes it incapable of achieving anything substantial.

Fascists believe that good government is the product of rule by an elite whose intelligence and knowledge distinguish them from the common crowd. These are individuals whose sense of leadership and national purpose are superior to others. People who have such qualities rule by their own law; all others follow.

Racism

Theories of human racial superiority were attractive to some fascists, especially in Nazi Germany. The belief that one's race, in this case German, was biologically more advanced than others contributed to an increased sense of national pride. This was in line with social Darwinism.

The ideas of racial superiority and national greatness led fascists to conclude that the superior race should have the superior nation. This served to justify the mistreatment of races they considered inferior as well as the military violence against other nations.

Militarism

Fascists were people of action. Struggle was seen as a part of life; therefore, it was necessary for the survival of the nation. The military with its discipline and pageantry was an inspirational organization. It was also useful in achieving the goals of fascism domestically (inside the country). It was also useful in achieving the goals of fascist expansionism outside the country.

As a political system, fascism is authoritarian. It rules by force without regard for a constitution to limit its powers. All power is in the hands of the leader, a dictator who is not responsible or accountable to the people. Authoritarianism places higher value on obedience than on freedom of the individual.

Mussolini and the Italian fascists promoted ultranationalism in Italy with speeches, policies, and media propaganda. Opposition political parties were banned, and any dissent was crushed brutally by the fascists.

In a speech to fascists in 1935, Mussolini said it is "better to live one day as a lion than a thousand years as a lamb". By then, Mussolini's fascist militarism had taken over Italian foreign policy. Mussolini considered himself destined to build an Italian empire by dominating the area around Italy. This national interest of creating a militarily strong Italian nation with imperialist goals conflicted with the national interests of France, Britain, Greece, and Yugoslavia. Italy's conflict of national interests with other nations involved Italy in World War II.

Please watch the following video explaining The Rise and Fall of Benito Mussolini: