Assignment: Political Science

Topic: Fascism

Submitted to: Miss Kanza Sharif

Submitted by: Mian Saad Ali

Roll No: 494 R

Semester: 2nd
 Contents
1. Introduction

2. Rise of Fascism

3. Derivation of the term Fascism

4. Principles of Fascism

5. A philosophy of action and violence

6. Aversion to democracy, liberty, equality and majority rule

7. Fascist theory of state and its relation with the individual

8. The state is a nation

9. Fascist state is a total state

10. Fascism and war

11. Fascism repudiates peace, human brotherhood and love

12. Fascism’s corporatism

13. Conclusion

14. Bibliography
Introduction
Fascism is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism that arose during the early years of 20th
century in Europe. It was practiced for the first time in Italy by Mussolini during and after World War 1
when the liberal democrats failed to come up with solutions to the problems caused due to the Great
War. Practical fascism was not based on some developed fascist ideology; rather fascism arose
spontaneously and at the same time in theory and practice. Fascism was actually the outcome of
frustrations of the people during the war. They were weary of continuously fighting and sacrificing and
wanted a new political order. These frustrations, along with bruised nationalism of the defeated
countries, were the ultimate source of the rise of Fascism. Italy, though was among the victors, became
the perfect example of Fascism due to the injustice done to it by its allies in distribution of conquered
territories. To understand fascism in a better way we must first discuss where, how, and why it
originated.

Rise of Fascism
Fascism is considered to have been originated in from Italy. It was the aftermath of the World
War I that gave rise to it. During the war the European countries were divided into two factions. One
was the Central Powers which included Germany and Austria-Hungary from European countries and the
other was the faction of Allied Powers among which were France, British Empire, Russia, France, Italy,
Romania, United States of America and others. Italy remained neutral at first despite its alliance with
Germany and Austria but in 1915 joined the Allied Powers because it was expecting to be given colonies
and dependencies in Africa, Albania, and Asia in case they won the war. These expectations of Italy
were, however, not met. In Paris Peace Conference which is also known as Versailles Peace Conference
Italy was not given the territories it was promised in the secret Treaty of London. Italian Prime Minister
Vittorio Emanuele Orlando left the conference in sheer anger and perpetuated the idea that Italy had
been betrayed by the allies. All this gave way to resentment and frustration in Italy.

The war had an adverse effect on Italy economically, socially and politically. Unemployment
grew, inflation was at its peak, and corruption became a norm in industry and government. Every other
day there were strikes and lockouts. All this shook the very foundations of Italy. Then there was the
spread of Communism and Bolshevism, which had been victorious in Russia, in the working class of Italy.
It made the capitalist and middle class of Italy uncomfortable and frightened because Communism and
Bolshevism aim at the total transfer of power from the capitalist and middle class into the hands of the
working class. The interests of the capitalists were now at stake.

The war-weary soldiers, on returning home, found no work to do and no wages to live upon.
This made them resentful of the government in power. As they had fought the war as frontline soldiers
they were more inclined towards violence and nationalism. They blamed the democratic government for
the injustice done to Italy by the allies in the distribution of territories. These soldiers were in need of an
outlet for their anger and frustration.

The parliamentary system, which was prevalent at that time in Italy, became corrupt. It became
inefficient and impotent to provide a good and strong government in the war affected country. The
politicians and the parties were pursuing their own vested interests and were only interested in making
money through politics. They neither had any regret over the sacrifice of seven hundred thousand
soldiers in the war nor had any sympathies for their families.

All these retarded economic, social and political situations paved the way for Direct Action of
Benito Mussolini and his Fascist Party to capture political power in Italy. Initially Mussolini was a socialist
and was against Italy’s entrance into the war. But soon he realized that this war was an opportunity for
Italy to become a great power once more. He joined the army in 1915 and fought on the front-line. He
was injured and, thus, sent back home. Back in Italy he started supporting the war and in this way he
was expelled from the socialist organization. As soon as the war ended, in March 1919, Mussolini
formed the Fascist Party by organizing several right-winged groups into a single force.

Mussolini criticized the government for being weak in the Treaty of Versailles. His aim was to
raise Italy to its great Roman past. For this purpose he was inclined to the use of all means, good and
bad. A para-military unit was formed by him known as the Black Shirts. These armed bands were used to
expel his political opponents, raid communist meetings and suppress the workers at strikes.

By 1922, when Italy slipped into political chaos Mussolini declared himself as the only person
who could restore order in the country. His Black Shirts, in October 1922, marched on Rome and
captured it. The king, who was hiding in Milan, invited Mussolini and made him the Prime Minister.
Within a short span of three years he centralized all the authority into his hands by dismantling all the
democratic institutions. He, during this period, carried out extensive public works and reduced
unemployment. All this made him very popular among the masses and by 1925 he became the dictator
of Italy. He was now in a position to fully implement his Fascist Ideology.

Derivation of the Term Fascism

The term ‘fascism’ is derived from the Italian word “fascio” which means a “band” or “group”.
The word “fascio” is in turn derived from the Latin word “fasces” which means a “bundle of sticks and an
axe”. It was the symbol of political authority of the rulers of Rome. The memory of the “Imperium
Romanum”, which means The Ancient Roman Empire, holds a very special significance for the Fascists.
Fascism depicts the policy of aggressive nationalism and imperialism, which was also the policy of the
Roman rulers. The symbol of “bundle of sticks and an axe” indicates the power over life and death.
Mussolini of Italy considered the state to be in full control of the lives of its people.

Definition of Fascism
According to Merriam Webster dictionary:

Fascism means “a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascist)
that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized
autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social
regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.”

Principles of Fascism
Unlike Communism Fascism has no specific manifesto. Fascism developed simultaneously in
theory and practice. Mussolini, it seems, hated abstract philosophy and was a man of action. Quoting
Mussolini, “my program is action, not talk”. He further said; “Fascism is based on reality, Bolshevism is
based on theory. We want to be definite and real. We want to come out of cloud of discussion and
theory”. So it is very difficult to locate the main principles on which Fascism is based. But, nevertheless,
we see some similarities in the Fascist regimes. Following are some main of the doctrines on which
these regimes acted.

A Philosophy of Action and Violence

Benito Mussolini was at first a socialist and believed in syndicalism which advocates direct action
on the part of worker class to topple the capitalist governments. Afterwards he became the leader of
the fascist party. But he was still inclined towards the ideology of direct action and violence and
aggression. His nationalistic and militaristic tendencies made him use force and violence at home and
declare war abroad. In the words of Mussolini, “Let us have a dagger between our teeth, a bomb in our
hand, and an infinite scorn in our hearts.” On another occasion he defined Fascism as “government for
the people over the heads of the people, and, if necessary, against the people. This indicates his
extreme nationalism and his love for violence to run the state.

Aversion to Democracy, Liberty, Equality and

Majority Rule
The fascist ideology has no room for democracy or liberties of the people. It considers
democracy as a futile form of government. The majority, according to the fascists, has no right to rule
just by being the majority. The minority might be wiser than the majority. Fascism repudiates the
general will of the people. It does not consider everyone within the state equal. It demolishes the
liberties of the people. Mussolini once said; “We have buried the putrid corpse of liberty.” The fascists
came to power and ruled Italy by suppressing the liberties of their opponents through force and
violence.
Fascist Theory of State and its Relation with
the Individual
“All within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state”, Mussolini had once
said. This is the principle under which Mussolini declares the state as an end and the people as means.
Individuals, in a fascist state, have no liberties. Their liberties are respected as long as they coincide with
those of the state. State is held supreme by the followers of fascism. In the words of Mussolini “the
truth is that men are tired of liberty”. All this makes a fascist state authoritarian, totalitarian and
nationalistic. By following the doctrine “ends justify means” a fascist state will sacrifice its people and at
times go against their will if needed to. The individual lives for the state and not the state for him. The
individual will only enjoy the rights the state has given him and in turn must be totally obedient to the
state policies. He has no right to protest or go against the state, or he will be declared a traitor and
punished for it severely, mostly with a death sentence. The conception of state in Fascism has its origins
in the philosophy of Hegel. He was a German philosopher who considered state as omnipotent. All this
explains well the kidnappings and cold blooded murders during the reign of Benito Mussolini and his
Fascist regime.

The State is a Nation

In Fascism we see no difference between the three different concepts “society”, “state” and
“nation”. State works for the interests of the nation which is composed of people. Generations of people
will come and go but the state will remain because it is permanent. The nation must be preserved and
expanded by any means, good or bad. For the preservation and expansion any and every kind of
sacrifice of the individuals is justified, no matter what.

Fascist State is a Total State

In a fascist state all the individuals, groups, and associations are under the full control of the
state. It can do anything with its citizens, good or bad, if the nation requires it. It is also the sole judge of
its acts, that is, no one has the right to criticize the state whatsoever. No political parties, trade unions
or commercial associations can be formed without the permission of the state. The state has full power
to do whatever it wants with the lives of those under its domain. No public meetings or protests can be
held without the permission of the state. Even the ethical, intellectual and religious codes are,
theoretically, formulated and supervised strictly by the state. This is why we see a single-party system in
a fascist or total state. This party is under the control of a single strong leader who automatically
becomes the supreme leader of the state as the state is run by a single party and all opposition is curbed
out violently.
Fascism and War
As we know that a fascist state comes into being and is run through force and violence. The
supreme leader is surprisingly inclined towards the use of force which makes him a lover and an
advocate of war and conquest. This extremist mindset leads the nation to wars which are often long and
fierce. The educational institutes in a fascist state teach war, the factories produce weapons and most of
the economy is spent on warfare. One has to fight to survive in a fascist state. Thus, the weaker ones are
expelled and the stronger survive. In the end we only see a nation of soldiers with little or no intellectual
capabilities. “A citizen and a soldier”, said Mussolini, “are synonymous in a fascist state”. This is not a
new concept rather it is the most primitive one. The ‘Spartans’, citizens of Greek city state of Sparta,
lived upon the same philosophy. War was their ideal end and also the mean for this end. They were the
best fighters of their time and the same can be said about the citizens, or more precisely the soldiers, of
a fascist state. Glory through war is the main purpose of a fascist state. The nation is injected with the
pure doctrine of war. For Mussolini rifles, machineguns, ships, aero planes and cannons were more
beautiful and charming than words. He seems to be a firm believer of the doctrine of ‘survival of the
fittest’. In a fascist state only the fittest have the right to live and the rest are expunged. All this reminds
us of Sparta where the weaker children and the old ones who couldn’t help in wars were left out in the
cold to die.

Fascism Repudiates Peace, Human

Brotherhood and Love
As discussed above, the building of fascism is constructed with the bricks of war and conquest.
Such a system can, thus, never bring peace to the society and the world as a whole. Imperialism is the
base of fascism and imperialism has only thrown the world into sheer chaos. The first and second World
Wars were the direct outcome of the imperialistic designs of the great powers of the world. Mussolini
considered imperialism as an eternal and immutable law of life. He practically showed this to the world.
He wanted to make Italy as great as the ancient Rome through war and conquest.

Fascism’s Corporatism
Corporatism means the control of a state or an organization by large interest groups. People
make different political, social, religious, commercial, ethnic and other such corporations to pursue their
common interests. These corporations collectively are like a human body, each one being an organ with
its own specified function. The corporations perform their specific functions separately but also work in
harmony with one another for the collective welfare of the state. Corporatism is of two types; top-to-
bottom and bottom-to-top. In the former the state control all the corporations while in the latter type
the people have the control of them.
 In Italy top-to-bottom corporatism prevailed. The state was hierarchically organized. People
were at the bottom, corporations in the middle and state was the highest entity in this hierarchy. State
was in full control of the corporations. It specified the duties of these corporations and even the wages
were controlled by the state. Even the officers for these corporations were appointed form above
instead of being elected by the members below. This ultimate control of the state was considered
important to bring harmony among different interest groups within the state. The corporations,
together with other fundamental bodies, also worked as an electoral college. Members were appointed
from them to serve in the Fascist legislature. This legislature was called the Chamber of Fasces or
Corporations.

Corporatism is an excellent theory in itself but practically it brought chaos in Italy. The interests
of the common people were at stake while the rich got even richer. Mussolini simply harnessed
capitalism instead of abolishing it. The fascist government favored the big industrialists and landlords
while the workers had to pay very heavy taxes. Their wages were decreased by 10% from 1922 to 1932.
The suppression of the people by the state made them frustrated and at last they revolted against
Mussolini in 1944 and brought an end to his cruel and violent rule.

Conclusion
As discussed above Fascism was not a theory, nor did it have any written form. It developed
purely out of practice, the practice of violence and destruction. Benito Mussolini might have wanted to
make Italy as great as the ancient Roman Empire but all he actually did was destroy the economy of Italy
and plunge its people into state of sheer chaos and deprivation. Though great causes need great
sacrifices but how can someone justify a single cold blooded murder! What Mussolini and his men did to
the innocent people of Italy can simply not be justified. The Fascist regime destroyed the lives of
thousands of people. The tears of the widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers were killed in
the process to make Italy great will pose Fascism as a threat to humanity forever and ever. History will
always remember Mussolini is a merciless and cruel dictator because his hands are reddened by the
blood of so many innocents.

Countries today are following this same ideology in one way or another. Leaders today praise
and hail democracy and give us the impression that they are working for humanity but the truth is that
they all are struggling to gain as much power as they can. They do it under the cover of different
ideologies and for Mussolini the cover was Fascism. We can easily relate what he did so many years back
to what is going on today in the world. It will go on and on as long as the mankind lives and it will always
be the common man and the poor man who will ultimately suffer. We humans are in a perpetual state
of holocaust of those who cannot defend themselves.
Bibliography
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Theoria: Journal of Social and Political Theory.” Issue 113., August 2007, pp. 1-22,
at p. 3
2. Isaak, Alan C. “Scope and methods of science, political” rev. ed. Homewood, IL:
Dorsey Press, 1975, 19-20.
3. Falco, Maria J. “Truth and meaning in political science: An introduction to political
inquiry” Columbus: Charles E. Merrill Publ. Co., 1973, 92.