Fascism

Abstract

Fascism refers to a political doctrine, a movement, and a type of totalitarian regime. Its ideational roots lie in late nineteenth‐century revolutionary nationalism. Elitist by nature, fascism celebrated the superior wisdom of the leader, destined to educate the people and release their hidden energies. Vehemently opposed to liberalism and liberal democracy, fascism propagated the complete subordination of the individual to the state. Economically, fascists favored class co‐operation along corporatist lines; in foreign policy, they pursued a course of aggressive territorial expansionism. Fascism's appeal was to be found in both the image of virility, élan, and violence it projected and the fascination it exerted among leading intellectual fellow travelers who promoted its ideas. This explains, in part, why fascism continued to influence right‐wing extremist groups and movements in the postwar period.