In this article you will learn about the salient Features of Fascism in Political Science.
Features of Fascism
Distrust of Reason
The Fascist philosophy does not believe in reason because reason does not carry any appeal to them. The fascists consider man as an irrational animal, and his social and political activities are based on this fact. They admit that their movement is mostly anti-intellectual and a revolt against reason. Fascism approves the superiority of instinct over reason and action over talk.
Denial of basic Human Equality
Fascism is opposed to the concept of human equality which forms one of the basic thesis of democracy. It affirms the inequality of man and rejects the role of equality as the basis of democracy. Fascist society not only accepts the fact of human inequality but goes further and affirms inequality as the ideal.
Glorification of War and Violence
The stress on war and violence has been the third important tenet of fascism. Fascism involves a glorification of war, violence and aggression. Fascism explicitly defends war as a means of achieving political ends. It was through violence and aggressiveness that Mussolini could emerge as the totalitarian ruler of Italy and he naturally justified illegal burnings and assaults as practically and morally necessary.
Faith in Elitism and Total Distrust of Democracy
Fascists are always opposed to the democratic principle of popular sovereignty. According to the fascist, wisdom does not belong to the majority and therefore the majority has no right to control human society. The fascists believe in the government of the elite and regard parliamentary government and political assemblies as irresponsible.
Fascists have faith in Totalitarianism-Authoritarianism
Fascism believes in the application of the principle of totalitarianism/authoritarianism in all spheres of life and governance of society. Totalitarianism stands for total control of the state over the people. Fascism regards individuals by birth totalitarian and authoritarian. Fascism has no alternative but to become totalitarian and in doing so the technique of control by fear became virtually important.
Support for Racism and Imperialism
Fascist’s justification of violence, inequalities, national superiority and war naturally involves a faith in racialism and imperialism. Disciplined and united group over a weak, inefficient and small group is held to be natural. It is natural for the bigger fish to swallow the smaller fish because the struggle for survival and existence of the fittest happen to be natural and imperative principles of life. Racism and Fascism express the two main fascist principles of inequality and violence as applied to the society of nations.
Opposition to International Law and Internationalism
As a logical outcome of the fascist belief in human inequality, imperialism, violence, faith in racialism and war, Fascism stands for aggressive nationalism and anti-internationalism. It openly advocates aggressive warfare and imperial expansion.
Fascism stands for Absolute Sovereignty of the Nation
The fascists believe in subordinating the individual to the nation-state. According to them, the state is the end and the individual is the means. Therefore, the state has every right to use its citizens as a tool for achieving its aims. Fascism does not accept the economic and political interests of the individuals against the interest of the State. They believe in sacrificing individuals interests for the state because according to them, the state involves the organic representation of the nation. This shows that fascism has a total faith in the absoluteness of the nation.
Repudiation of Socialism
Fascism denounces the concept of socialism. It repudiates the materialistic theory of history. It is against class conflict according to which it is immoral and unpatriotic. A fascist does not take a passive view of life as he only believes in action. Socialism is opposed to the institution of private property whereas Fascism supports private property and holds that when regulated by the state, proves useful for the economic development of the individual as well as the society.
Repudiation of Individualism
The Fascists are always opposed to individualism. They consider the 19th century liberalism and individualism condemnable. The advocates of individualism do not regard the state as a directing force, instead they consider the state as evil and lazy. On the other hand, the fascists regard the state as an absolute entity having a will and personality of its own and uphold the state and not the individual.
Belief in One-Party Government
Fascism believes in the existence of one party in the state and promotes that the entire administration is to be run by the fascist party. The basic slogan of Fascism is one party, one ideology, one leader and one state. It believes the party system of government as a source of weakness. Hence, Fascism openly believes in government by one party.
Views about Church and Religion
Up till 1921 Mussolini and his fascists were hostile to the Church. However, later, their attitude towards it changed. It was due to the fact that many Italians who joined the fascist party were favourably inclined towards the Catholic Church. So they recognised the catholic church of Italy but were not opposed to religion. Mussolini once made it clear that “in totalitarianism the Church retains none of its sovereignty, whereas the Fascist state claims in full its character of ethicality; it is catholic but it is Fascist; indeed above all exclusively essentially fascist.”
Fascist idea of the Corporate State
Fascism supports the idea of a corporate state. In this concept, the fascists place emphasis on corporatism. Corporatism was neither socialism or capitalism but something new and superior to both. The Fascist concept of the corporate state is based on two ideas; first, only the members of the ruling party are capable of understanding the problems of the people and second, ordinary citizens are incapable of comprehending the great problems and issues facing the nation.
This article on Features of Fascism in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.