what is a fascist

A fascist is a person who supports or advocates for fascism, which is a far- right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology. Fascism is characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, the forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, and the subordination of individual interests for the perceived interest of the nation or race. Fascists promote strong regimentation of society and the economy and oppose communism, democracy, liberalism, pluralism, and socialism. Famous historical fascists include leaders like Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany, who led fascist regimes in the early to mid-20th century.