fascism

fascism Political movement founded in Italy by Benito Mussolini (1919), characterized by nationalism, totalitarianism and anti-communism. The term also applied to the regimes of Adolf Hitler in Germany (1933), and Francisco Franco in Spain (1936). A reaction to the Russian Revolution (1917) and the spread of communist influence, the movement based its appeal on the fear of financial instability among the middle-classes and on a wider social discontent. Basic to fascist ideas were glorification of the state and total subordination to its authority; suppression of all political opposition; preservation of a rigid class structure; stern enforcement of law and order; the supremacy of the leader as the embodiment of high ideals; and an aggressive militarism aimed at achieving national greatness. It also typically encouraged racist and xenophobic attitudes and policies. Discredited by defeat in World War II, fascism was insignificant in Western European politics for many years. In recent years, however, far-right nationalist groups re-emerged in many countries. See also national socialism