Meaning, Features, and Demerits of Fascism

What is Fascism?

Fascism is a form of aggressive, dictatorial autocratic government that emphasizes aggressive nationalism and racism. Fascism was a form of a totalitarian system of government established in Italy in 1922 (practised from 1922 to 1943) by Benito Mussolini.

Features of Fascism:

Features of Fascism Include;

(i) Autocratic, dictatorial, repressive government.

(ii) Existence of a one-party system. 

(iii) Hierarchically organized or structured with a supreme leader at the top.

(iv) The state is superior to anybody or groups.

(v) The economy is centrally plannedA centrally planned economy or command economy, is an economic system where the government has complete control over the production and distribution of goods and services. The government decides what to... More (closed economy).

(vi) They control the mass media. The press is censored and the government uses propaganda.

(vii) It is based on racial discrimination.

(viii) It is against socialism, communism, democracy, and individualism.

(ix) There is the existence of an official state ideology everybody must believe in.

(x) It has no respect for international laws and conventions.

(xi) There is the existence of secret police and secret trials of citizens and secret concentration groups.

(xii) It forbids any form of religion and rejects the laws of God.

(xiii) It glorifies wars and violence.

(xiv) It also pursues aggressive nationalism.

(xv) No form of opposition is allowed.

Demerits of Fascism:

(i) This system is repressive and dictatorial.

(ii) The liberty of citizens is highly curtailed. The citizens can be killed in the venue of national interest.

(iii) No form of opposition or criticism is tolerated.

(iv) The system has no respect for international laws and conventions. Japan and Germany, Fascist states at the time, withdrew from the League of NationsThe League of Nations (1920 – 1946) was the first intergovernmental organization established to promote international cooperation and peace. The League of Nations was the predecessor to the United Nations. More in 1933.

(v) The leader is supreme and determines the will of the state.

(vi) It emphasizes violence and war.

(vii) It emphasizes inequality.