Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology and social movement that rose to prominence in early 20th-century Europe, notably under leaders like Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany.
Though scholars debate the nuances, most definitions of fascism agree on several core identifying characteristics:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Authoritarianism | Dictatorship, suppression of dissent |
| Ultranationalism | Nation (often race/ethnicity) above individual |
| Militarism | Glorification of violence, military expansion |
| Social Hierarchies | Belief in inherent group superiority |
| Economic Control | State-corporate alliances, anti-labor sentiment |
| Anti-Liberal, Anti-Socialist | Rejection of democracy, communism, socialism |
| Propaganda/Mass Mobilization | Rallies, state media, national symbols |
| Scapegoating/Racism | Blaming minorities, exclusion, “purity” |
| Anti-Intellectualism | Disdain for independent thought and progressive ideas |
Fascism’s goal is to create a strong, unified nation by concentrating power in the hands of a leader, enforcing loyalty through force and propaganda, and targeting groups seen as threats to national purity or strength[1][2][5][6][9].