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Fascism in the 20th Century
Historians have long disputed the definition of fascism; Italy under Benito Mussolini from 1922 to 1943 was the most prominent example of a fascist state, being characterized by nationalism, imperialism, militarism, autocracy, and anti-democratic principles. In many ways, it was similar to Nazi Germany. The Soviet Union under Stalin also emerged as a different example of totalitarian rule.
The most significant aspect of fascism was its singular focus on the state and its rise, as a result of which it negated many other ideologies:
Fascists condemn socialism, feminism, capitalism, and any other ‘ism’ on the grounds that these ideologies place some other criteria (class, gender, economic interest, and so on) above the nation. This is why fascism is so often described as a negative ideology — ’anti this’ and ‘anti that’. In fact, nationalism gives fascism a positive side too, allowing it to proclaim its superiority over mere ‘sectional’ interests (Passmore 26).
Essentially, the ultra-nationalistic nature of fascism is reactionary; it came about to avoid prioritizing anything over the state. Mussolini himself also emphasizes the importance of the state in fascism:
The foundation of Fascism is the conception of the State, its character, its duty, and its aim. Fascism conceives of…
