fascism

[ fash-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) the philosophy, principles, or methods of fascism.
3. (initial capital letter) a political movement that employs the principles and methods of fascism, especially the one established by Mussolini in Italy 1922–43.

Fascism

¹

/ ˈfæʃɪzəm /

noun

1. the political movement, doctrine, system, or regime of Benito Mussolini in Italy, which encouraged militarism and nationalism, organizing the country along hierarchical authoritarian lines

fascism

²

/ ˈfæʃɪzəm /

noun

1. any ideology or movement inspired by Italian Fascism, such as German National Socialism; any right-wing nationalist ideology or movement with an authoritarian and hierarchical structure that is fundamentally opposed to democracy and liberalism
2. any ideology, movement, programme, tendency, etc, that may be characterized as right-wing, chauvinist, authoritarian, etc
3. prejudice in relation to the subject specified

   body fascism

fascism

1. A system of government that flourished in Europe from the 1920s to the end of World War II . Germany under Adolf Hitler , Italy under Mussolini , and Spain under Franco were all fascist states. As a rule, fascist governments are dominated by a dictator, who usually possesses a magnetic personality , wears a showy uniform, and rallies his followers by mass parades; appeals to strident nationalism ; and promotes suspicion or hatred of both foreigners and “impure” people within his own nation, such as the Jews (see also Jews ) in Germany. Although both communism and fascism are forms of totalitarianism , fascism does not demand state ownership of the means of production, nor is fascism committed to the achievement of economic equality. In theory, communism opposes the identification of government with a single charismatic leader (the “ cult of personality”), which is the cornerstone of fascism. Whereas communists are considered left-wing , fascists are usually described as right-wing .

Notes

Today, the term fascist is used loosely to refer to military dictatorships , as well as governments or individuals that profess racism and that act in an arbitrary, high-handed manner.

Other Words From

• anti·fascism noun
• pro·fascism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fascism¹

First recorded in 1915–20; from Italian fascismo, equivalent to fasc(io) “bundle; political group” ( fasces ) + -ismo -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of fascism¹

C20: from Italian fascismo , from fascio political group, from Latin fascis bundle; see fasces

Example Sentences

Which was the right thing to be, after all, because communism is as illiberal as fascism.

From The Daily Beast

Weisberg writes about the Europeans that were flexible enough to accept Fascism as the new reality.

From The Daily Beast

Can debates about right-wing philosophers encourage fascism?

From The Daily Beast

The mirror-image systems of communism and fascism promised to solve problems quickly through command and control.

From The Daily Beast

Therefore, Western supporters of the protests, like John Mccain, are agitating on behalf of violent Ukrainian fascism.

From The Daily Beast

Franco is a fascist, and today fascism must triumph all over the world or be crushed forever.

From Project Gutenberg

It can grow and bring in the era of economic democracy, or it can falter and give way to fascism.

From Project Gutenberg

A Nazi bund to direct this propaganda was organized secretly because of the government's unfriendly attitude toward fascism.

From Project Gutenberg

First, she offered scholarships, with all expenses paid, for Nicaraguan students to study fascism in Italy.

From Project Gutenberg

The Double V campaign against fascism abroad and racism at home achieved considerably less than the activists had hoped.

From Project Gutenberg