13. Fascism

Fascism is an ideology that advocates for a totalitarian state and which had its birth in Italy after the First World War. It was led by Benito Mussolini. A similar ideology had its origin at the same time in Germany under the leadership of Hitler and it was called Nazism. Fascism is a form of absolute dictatorship which was supported by many thinkers and statesmen in many European countries in addition to Italy and Germany. This ideology encouraged war and was responsible for the outbreak of second world war. But this war gave a befitting blow to Fascism and Nazism. Today no country backs Fascism or Nazism, not doubt dictatorship exists in many countries.
Meaning
Fascism means anything that gives the nation discipline, unity and power.
As a matter of fact Fascism is not a doctrine, it is an idea which stands for the dictatorship of the state under the leadership of one party and one leader, which opposed democracry, socialism, communism, capitalism and all other theories and advocated a new type of aggressive nationalism.
According to George Sabine, “Fascism is a body of ideas taken from different sources and put together to fit the exigencies of the situation.”
J.S. Barnes has said, “Fascism may be defined generally as a political and social movement having as its object the establishment of a political and social order, based upon the main currents of traditions that have formed over European civilisation created by Rome first by the empire and subsequently by the Catholic Church.”
Marian D. Irish says, “In its most accomplished form Fascism is one party system controlled by a personal dictator operating in a totalitarian state, which has combined 19th Century nationalism in politics with 20th Century collectivism in economics.”
From all these definitions of Fascism it becomes clear that Fascism is not a definite doctrine, to meet the requirements of the situation, to rebuild Italy, to give the nation strength, unity and discipline. Mussolini had openly said, “We are aristocrats and democrats, revolutionaries and reactionaries, proletarians and anti-proletarians, pacifists and anti-pacifists. It is sufficient to have a single fixed aim—the nation. The rest is obvious.” He has also said, “We permit ourselves the luxury of being aristocrats and democrats, conservatives and progressive, reactionaries and revolutionaries, legalitarians and illegalitarians according to circumstances of time, place and environment.”
Rise and development of fascism
Fascism had its origin and development between the two World Wars (World War I and World War II) in Italy and Germany. It had its impact in Japan also. After the First World War the economic conditions of these two countries had deteriorated. Italy had been on the side of the victors in the 1st World war, but the war had shaken its economy. Germany had been defeated in the 1st World war and had been imposed such a heavy fine or war indemnity that it was not possible for her to pay it in the coming hundred years and improve her economy. Most of the colonies, mineral resources, industries and fertile lands of Germany had been taken away by the victors and she had been humiliated very excessively.
Hitler raised voice against this injustice and the people supported him. Depression of 1930 further added to the unemployment, poverty and hunger of these countries and their economy became unbalanced. The democratic governments of these states could not handle and improve the situation and the people lost their faith in democratic institutions. The capitalists and industrialists of these countries were fearful of the spreading communistic ideas and they had lessened their activities. This also gave a setback to the economy of these two states. The ever increasing cost of living and hike in prices alienated the middle class from the government.
Under the circumstances explained above Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany organised Fascist Party and Nazi Party respectively and they assured the people that they would liberate them from the state of misery, hunger and starvation and would bring the nation honour and development. The masses supported them. In 1922 Mussolini decided for march on Rome and he was appointed as the Premier of Italy. After it he started transforming the governmental machinery into his personal dictatorship under the banner of Fascist Party.
Similarly in Germany the masses supported the Nazi Party under the leadership of Hitler and in 1933 Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor of Germany. In a referendum the Nazi Party was voted for by 52% electorate. Thus in both the countries Mussolini and Hitler held the reins of government in their hands and established the monopoly of their parties and virtually their personally dictatorship. They brought rapid progress in their countries and they had become so much economically developed that they along with Japan could face the whole world in the Second World War. But the war brought their downfall also and Fascism came to and end.
Main principles of fascism
Fascism is based upon reality. The Fascists do not believe in much of discussions, theory and uncertain ideas. They believe in reality, and are ready to accept any plan which can make the nation progressive and developed, which can bring honour and prestige to the country. Honour and prestige of the nation is supreme aim for them. Mussolini had clearly declared, “Fascism is based on reality. We want to be definite and real. We want to come out of cloud of discussion and theory.”
Faith in Nationalism : Fascism advocates firm faith in nationalism and according to them nation is everything, there is nothing above the nation. They think that the nation is not merely an assemblage or aggregate of the people. It is something more. The nation has a separate and independent identity of its own and its own distinctive will. The individual is a part of the nation and it is the duty of the part to make all efforts and sacrifices for the progress and development of the nation. The welfare and development of the individual lies in the development of the nation. An individual has no life and existence outside the nation. And, therefore, the individual should be every ready to make all sacrifices for the nation. Mussolini said, “The nation is a self-sufficient entity and its life is continuous and everlasting.”
State is an End in itself and is a Totalitarian Entity : Fascists believe that there is no distinction between the state and the society and the state is an all powerful, authoritarian, totalitarian entity and enjoys unlimited and absolute powers. They consider the state to be an end in itself and its aim is its own glorification aggrandizement. The entire life of the individual is under state control. When the state glorifies the individuals automatically glorify and attain their fullest development. There is no activity of the individual in which the state cannot interfere. Mussolini had said, “Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against it.”
Faith in War and Imperialism : Fascism advocates war and aggrandizement of its empire or territory. According to Fascists war is essential for the state, as food is for the men, to keep it alive, healthy and strong. Therefore every state should be ever ready for war. The war keeps the nation active and alert. Only a strong nation has the right to survive and rule over other. They do not believe in internationalism and peaceful activities of the state. One who is weak cannot make progress. They believe in the expansion and increase in the armed strength of the nation.
Against Democracy : Fascism has no faith in democracry which according to them is the government of ignorant, uneducated and fools. Democracry is a myth and is neither real nor practical. Democracry gives more importance to number than to quality. But Fascists want to attach more importance to quality and prefer a rule by one man who is an able, intelligent and wise leader. Majority cannot in fact express the wishes of the people and plan for their welfare. It is only a superior leader who can represent best the interests of the nation and the people and one man’s absolute rule can achieve the real welfare of the people.
Faith in Performance of Duty rather than excercise of Individual Liberty : Fascists believe that the individuals should be very conscious of performance of their duties towards the nation and their real liberty lies in the obedience of the laws of the state. They do not favour the rights and liberties of the people. The welfare of the individual is achieved only when he unquestioningly obeys the laws. They believe that the state is like the body and the individual is like its part which can be sacrificed for the existence and development of the body. In the same way for the security and progress of the state the individuals can be asked to make any sacrifice. The individual is thus completely under the thumb of the Fascist state.
Faith in Rule by One Party, One leader : Fascism has faith in the dictatorship of one party. In such a set up no other political party is allowed to exist and only one party has complete control over the government. According to them only Fascist party is the conscience of the state, and it consists of leaders who are able, superior, selfless and conscious of the interests of the nation. At the same time, the Fascist party is also under the thumb of one best, ablest and most intelligent leader.
Faith in Superiority of Race : Fascists also believe that some races are superior and they have been destined to rule over the others. Fascists consider themselves to belong to the best race of Aryan stock and think they have the right to rule over the other races.
Opposed to Socialism and Communism : Fascism is opposed to socialism and communism both. They give no place to class struggle in a nation and that the capitalists and workers must work in mutual cooperation to improve the economy of the nation. Both the working classes and the capitalists are essential for the development of the nation and both should perform their respective duties under the guidance and leadership of the state. They say that major industries must be under state control but small industries and enterprises and private property in a limited from may be placed in the hands of the individuals.
Faith in Violent Means : Fascists have no faith in democratic means to achieve their goal. They are in favour of doing anything, adopting all violent means to achieve their aim. According to them constitutional and peaceful means destroy the original and natural faculties of human beings and only violent means can bring about progress and development in the society. They believe in the rule by the strong man.