Fascism is a political ideology and movement that embraces far-right nationalism and the forceful suppression of any opposition, all overseen by an authoritarian government. Fascists strongly oppose Marxism, liberalism, and democracy, and believe the state takes precedence over individual interests. They favor centralized rule, often a single party or leader, and embrace the idea of a national rebirth, a new greatness for their country. Here are some key characteristics of fascism:
- Extreme militaristic nationalism
- Contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism
- A belief in natural social hierarchy and the rule of elites
- The desire to create a Volksgemeinschaft (German: “people’s community”), in which individual interests would be subordinated to the good of the nation.
Fascism rose to prominence in early 20th-century Europe, and the first fascist movements emerged in Italy. The ideology swept through Italy, then Germany, and other parts of Europe. Although fascist parties and movements differed significantly from one another, they had many characteristics in common. At the end of World War II, the major European fascist parties were broken up, and in some countries, they were officially banned. However, many fascist-oriented parties and movements were founded in Europe as well as in Latin America and South Africa.
