What do Fascists believe in?

Answer 1

Fascism: BeliefsThe word 'Fascism' is widely used in two senses. The narrower sense refers the political movement and ideology of Benito Mussolini who was the 'Duce' (leader) of Italy from 1922-1943. The word is also used in broader to refer to a group of closely related ideologies and r�gimes that sprang up in Europe in the interwar period. If used in this wider sense it is important NOT to include to many r�gimes; otherwise the term becomes meaningless. (The word 'Fascist' is also used as an insult, a term of abuse, but that can be left out of this answer).

'Fascism' in a general sense usually includes Italian Fascism, Nazism, the Franco r�gime in Spain. (Some would include the Action Francaise and its successors in France).

Most of the ideas date from before WW1. Fascism is intensely nationalistic, with nationalism an a kind of substitute religion; it is racist, but not necessarily anti-Jewish. After all, it has a whole bundle of 'anti-' attitudes. It is opposed to democracy, to liberalism, to socialism and is rabidly, frantically, frenetically, hysterically anti-Communist. It's widely believed that it was above all fear of Bolshevism that encouraged the rise of large Fascist parties in some European countries in the 1920s and 1930s.

An important feature of Fascist r�gimes (which they share with Communism) is totalitarianism. That means:

• A police state apparatus; widespread surveillance, abitrary imprisonment or murder of political opponents; forced labour camps, torture, etc.

• The politicization of many activities not usually considered political, above all the organization of leisure time activities, including sporting and artistic pusuits, by the government in official organizations.

• Instead of democracy, rule by a 'strong man', a leader - the Duce, Fuehrer, Caudillo, Conducator. A 'top-down' command structure.

• Only one political party is allowed. All others are banned. There is no democracy and dissent is not tolerated.

Fascism, like a nasty playground bully, is vicious one moment, then full of self-pity the next. Fascist r�gimes in Europe in the interwar period whined and whinged like spoilt brats about their 'grievances', said again and again that they just wanted to put these things right peacefully, but the moment they thought it was safe to do so, they used force and savage brutality against people who weren't able to defend themselves.

Joncey

Answer 2

They supported a strong central government controlled by the military and led by a powerful dictator.

Answer 3

They believed that their country was superior to the rest.