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#EasyWisdom by Amolika Sen
What is Fascism?
Fascism, as a far-right political ideology, is characterized by a radically conservative and authoritarian form of government in which power is centralized in the hands of an individual. The state, under this ruler, exerts control over all aspects of public and private life. The fundamental feature of such a regime is the prioritization of the collective good of the state over individual rights and freedoms.
Key Features
This concentration of power suppresses any political dissent and extends its control beyond the political sphere into the social, economic, and cultural domains. The state heavily influences the media and educational systems to propagate a singular ideology. Certain societal groups are often singled out as enemies, which justifies systemic violence against them, while the leader is portrayed as a supreme figure or saviour of the nation. The military plays a significant role in achieving such suppression and glorification of ultranationalist values. Economically, a fascist government typically discourages foreign trade and business activities in favour of self-sufficiency and protectionism.
Understanding through prominent historical examples
Mussolini, Italy (1922-1943): Benito Mussolini founded the National Fascist Party in Italy and established an authoritarian regime without accountability to the legislature. Under him, the regime suppressed the free press, banned trade unions, and dissolved opposition parties, effectively stifling free speech. His administration adopted a racial ideology that emphasized the supremacy of the Italian race, and this was evident in Mussolini’s colonial policies, particularly in Africa. The invasion of Ethiopia from 1935 to 1936 was justified through racist rhetoric, and the Italian colonial administration employed harsh and discriminatory methods against the native population.
Hitler, Germany (1933-1945): Adolf Hitler promoted National Socialism, framed as a radical departure from socialism and communism. An ideal German national community came to be defined along racial lines under his fascist regime. This vision involved uniting all ethnic Germans and excluding minorities who were deemed outside this national community, particularly Jews. The regime also focused on “ethnic cleansing” the German community by targeting supposed threats to it, culminating in the systematic extermination of the Jewish population during the Holocaust.
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