Fascism Essay Example

Fascism Essay Within this assignment Im going to show that Italy and Germany shared a common set of features which in turn suggests that fascism has a common set of features that are present in the political thought of almost all fascist states. Im going to do this by first looking at defining what fascism is in terms of the debate over its definition as well as its Marxist roots. The origins of fascism within both Italy and Germany will then be discussed before moving onto the main features of fascist political thought such as nationalism, totalitarianism and scape goats as well as the role of the government in the economy. I will then look at the differences between these states before concluding that there are a strong set of features of which are clearly present within the fascist states looked at which define the idea of fascism as we know it. Defined by the Oxford Dictionary as being an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization1, the word fascism was first used to describe Mussolini in Italy from around 1922.2 The word itself originates from Italian fascismo meaning a bundle or political group and although the meaning itself does not immediately lend itself to its definition as being an authoritarian and nationalistic organisation, it was soon taken to represent an ideology of which is frowned upon by all but the most right-wing activists such as those in right-wing political parties including the British National Party and Austrian Freedom Party.3 A Marx definition of fascism said Fascism in power is the open, terroristic dictatorship of the most reactionary, the most chauvinistic, the most imperialistic elements of finance capitalism4 highlighting the Marxist opposition to fascism. Many of the first fascist initiators including Mussolini, were previously Marxists which had since positioned themselves as being opposed to materialism which was seen as being a strong side of Marxist ideology.5 Although Pierre Drieu La Rochelle claimed that certain elements of a fascist atmosphere came together in France around 1913, before they did elsewhere6 it is generally accepted that the first true state of fascism occurred because of Mussolini in Italy. By 1919 Austria-Hungary has collapsed and Italys greatest enemy the Hapsburg Empire was no more7 and from 1922 the emergence of the Italian fascist party Partito Nazionale Fascista was providing the strong foundations for what was to become the worlds first truly fascist state.8 At the beginning of this fascist uprising over Italy, Mussolini was described as being an insane individualistic9 in that he his main concern whilst leading was personal power. This has initially led to concern amongst his core Fascist deputies such as Dino Grandi and Farinacci who were now concerned that Mussolini may desert them in search of greater power after having realised that he had gained almost unilateral cross party support from the Popular Party, t he Vatican and the General Confederation of Labour.10 Once Mussolini had asserted his power and once he had assigned his ministries, he started to work upon the countries populations nationalism and progression. We will write a custom essay sample on Fascism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Fascism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Fascism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In Germany, fascism began in a different way. Hitler learnt from Karl Leuger, an orator who had supported the Christian Social Party in Vienna, that nationalist and anti-Semitic propaganda were essential in the dismissal of the current trend of socialism.11 In 1920 Hitler encouraged the German Workers Party to change its name to the National Socialist German Workers Party (often referred to as the Nazi Party)12. With this change came the new swastika logo which later became the most recognised symbol of the holocaust. As the Great Depression took hold after the 1929 Wall Street Crash the German economy had collapsed and crisis took hold. Germans were thought to have turned to Nazism in desperation and their position in government grew rapidly. Hindenburg in 1933 took a risk and made Hitler Chancellor.13 Within both Italy and Germany are a number of ideas and features that are became enshrined in their fascist regimes. An example of this is that fascism has often been linked to totalitarianism in that both violence and terror are seen to be strong features of a fascist regime. For instance, in the case of Mein Kampf- Hitlers Struggle whilst in prison in Bavaria, Hitler stated that for the need of the people to acquire foreign territory. The plough is then the sword; and the tears of war will produce the daily bread for the generations to come14 enforcing the idea that only through war and violence by means of a sword and the acquisition of foreign territory, can the futures of generations to come be secured in the same way that to produce bread to feed the nation, one must first plant seeds and plough the ground for bread to be made. Mussolini too, had some of the core foundations of his fascist state based upon violence and terror. Mussolini was quoted as stating that, Peace is absurd: fascism does not believe in it15 which suggests that the military and war itself is given a priority over peace ideologically as well as financially and politically within the nation. This balance can be seen to be disproportionate to the government funding prioritised for other activities such as for social welfare, shown by the breakdown of communal organisations that had supported everything from those in jobs to marriage partners.16 That both Italy and Germany place a huge reliance upon both violence and terror supports our argument that there are a main set of features that belong to fascist ideology which can be identified as being fascist.