The Fascist State

The Fascist State
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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
Fascist State.................................................................................................................................3
Similarities and differences between fascist movements and states in Italy and Germany.........4
Reflection of fascism over the power of the state........................................................................5
Strong personal rule, a characteristic of fascist leader and the power they wield.......................5
Fascist state – a stage in rise of modern state or malfunction of the state or a return to neo-
feudal models of power...............................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8
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Introduction
Fascism is a political ideology or philosophy that had developed over the years as a mass
movement in various countries of Europe in early 20th century. It is placed at far right in the
traditional left-right spectrum (Tollardo, 2016). It is believed to be authoritarian which promotes
ultra-nationalism by all measures. Therefore, it is believed to be characterised by dictatorship,
forcible suppression of those who oppose the ideology and complicated and complex economic
conditions that treat nation as an asset. This essay deals with the characteristics of a typical
fascist state and attempts to find out if existence of such state is possible in modern state or not.
Main Body
Fascist State
A nation or state is characterised by a defined territory which has a ruler or government
that has sovereignty over its decision-making about people who reside in that defined territory.
Such people are generally collectivised by a shared common culture, history, traditions and
language. Till medieval times, mostly states were ruled by monarchs and then new forms of
government emerged which are broadly termed in between left-right spectrum. Socialism and
communism form extreme left while extreme right was termed as fascism. Fascism saw its origin
in Italian word 'fascio' which means bundle. Politically, it meant union or league. Fascism as an
ideology to lead a State came into prominence in early 20th century in Europe. A fascist state is
typically termed as one which has infused propaganda techniques in its rule and has expansion of
nationalist agenda in its list and adopts violent measures to suppress liberals and socialists
(Berezin, 2018). Therefore, it is said to characterised by one-party totalitarian regime which was
run by charismatic dictators who would glorify their racist ideology and violent measures.
Although, the best-known fascist state are Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy, other countries
of Europe such as Spain under Francisco Franco and Argentina under Juan Peron also
experienced fascist regimes. It was during World War I that Benito Mussolini formed a radical
group in Italy, calling it ‘fasci’, from where the term came up. He continued his movement
against state and rose to the position of Prime Minister during “March on Rome”. His rule saw
few welfare measures like old age insurance, rent supplements, employment and disability
benefits, etc. but also witnessed measures which were against the concept of welfare state like
censorships, exiles, exterminations, etc. Hitler was in army and joined German Workers’ Party
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post World War I. Soon, he rose to party posts. With his sharp wits and acumen, he was able to
develop his party into Nazi Party and soon took over German leadership.
Similarities and differences between fascist movements and states in Italy and Germany
Both Italy under Benito Mussolini and Germany under Adolf Hitler experienced extreme
right-wing form of government post World War I known as Italian fascism and German Nazism
(Martin, 2016). Both can be termed similar on the account that main leaders of the two
movements were war veterans of World War I and had served in the armies of their respective
countries'. Both the leaders had a humble background and were admirers of Nietzsche, a right-
wing nationalist elite, therefore, war outcome was a serious blow for both. Germany lost the war
and had to humiliatingly give up both land and money to winning nations while Italy even on
being at the winning side, did not receive much, what was promised to them. Both Mussolini and
Hitler were desperate to gain power and got the opportunity by stirring up nationalistic feelings
amongst people of Italy and Germany who were dissatisfied about non-fulfilment of conditions
of Treaty of Versailles. Both of them were totalitarian rulers and adopted anti-democratic and
anti-socialist policies which despised civil rights and individual liberties and support the usage of
violence. Both of them considered France as their common enemy and included physical training
in their education to create well-trained soldiers. Women’s role was not respectful in both the
states. These similarities show that ruling style of fascist leaders were leading to typical fascism.
Though superficially it looks like, but both of them are not Siamese twins as 'racism' was
focal point of German Nazism while 'state' was the focus of Italian fascism (Hofmann, 2015).
There were differences in the intentions of their political system as well. Hitler wanted to avenge
World War I by gaining hegemony all over the Europe while Mussolini’s focus was on re-
building Roman Empire from southern to northern Italy. Under Nazi rule, focus was on anti-
semitism and economic activities were devoted to enlargement of army for Nazi’s wanted to
make Germany, a super nation where women had no role to play except staying at home and
taking care of family. In Italy, Mussolini’s fascist party was completely focused on gaining
power and political hold and did not shy away from killing or exiling those who went against
them. There was no freedom of press, schooling and academic books were censored, lockout and
strikes were disallowed and only Catholic religion was allowed to exist. Therefore, even after
both being fascist states, Hitler had support of his people till the end while Mussolini gradually
lost support and faith. While similarities showed traits of typical fascism, differences proved that
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they had different ideologies in their ruling style and there are no typical traits of a typical
fascism ruled state.
Reflection of fascism over the power of the state
During World War I, Germany was ruled by monarch and Italy was ruled by constitutional
monarchy. Both of them were ineffective and led country to war. They lost war and Germany
had to give up its land to Allied nations and along with land, had to sign acceptance also, taking
responsibilities for all the damages caused to Allied Powers and to pay them almost then £6.6
billion as compensation (Bendersky, 2020). Italy was not in good condition either. Post war
conditions brought an economic crisis that led to huge unemployment and food shortage in both
the countries, which led situations of anti-incumbency. These situations provided easy
opportunities to Hitler and Mussolini to provoke people against State. At the time when both
ascended power, State was already walking tight ropes and was proving ineffective in giving
people a solution to their problems. Both of them were anti-democratic in measure but in the end,
it was the power and support of the people that helped them usurp the power of the state.
Therefore, it can be said that rise of fascism reflect weakness of existing ruling state.
State characterised by social, political and economic welfare is called as modern state. Post
World War I, countries plunged into uncertainties. During such times, people were looking for
messiah that can take away their problems and bring a ray of hope in their lives. In such
vulnerable times, fascism provided an alternative which people took up in a bid to test the water.
They were angry against State and violent measures give them a way to vent out their
frustrations but soon they realised, it was not the welfare state they were looking for and they
started protesting against it. They were helped by allied countries who wanted to restore peace in
the region. Leaders of fascism and Nazism were killed in World War II, marking the decline of
right-wing government and republic and democratic forms of government replaced them
(Spielvogel and Redles, 2020).
Strong personal rule, a characteristic of fascist leader and the power they wield
A leader is someone who leads people according to their belief or by persuading others to
believe, what the leader believes. In case of fascist leaders primarily Hitler and Mussolini, latter
belief works. Both were power hungry. It was their personal ambitions that drives them to
develop like-minded people and with the support of those like-minded people, they were able to
wield those autocratic powers. Therefore, it can be said that it was not a one-person rule but rule
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of one ideology in the face of those ambitious and strong-willed leaders. Mussolini formed a
party which was later transformed into National Fascist Party and Hitler joined German
Worker’s Party which later transformed into National Socialist German Workers’ Party or Nazi
Party. Mussolini was super ambitious and was ready to compromise anyhow to rise to power and
achieve whatever he believed in (Gellately and Stoltzfus, 2018). Socialism and communism
came from Russia which was against them in war, made them hate socialism and give up
egalitarianism in favour of totalitarianism. Mussolini promised regeneration of the fatherland and
eternal Rome to the people, a fascination that appealed them and attracted towards fascism. In
same way, Hitler promised restoration of original German race i.e. Aryans and recapture of lost
German territories to win confidence of people. Both the leaders and their supporters were so
convinced about their ideologies that they did not refrain from using violence to acquire their
political goals and suppress voice of those who went against them. Although, racism was an
issue in both the countries, it played a major role in changing the face of the movement in only
Germany. For example, Hitler called for maintenance of racial purity which lead to
unprecedented terror against Jews in which they were exterminated and their properties were
destroyed while no such provocation against races were seen in Italy for Mussolini did not really
consider that as an important factor to drive their movement. Both of them were super
influencers and had completely convinced people in believing that they were nationalist and anti-
socialist and violence should be treated as normal measure to take control in hands. They had set
concentration camps where enemies were incarcerated and tortured in holocaust that followed.
With increased awareness of public and decreased power of government in a global world, such
measures are hard to repeat in present times. Therefore, it can be said that Italy and Germany had
witnessed typical fascism in twentieth century. However, it is not possible to be repeated in
modern times when there is increased rise in globalism and favour of democracy.
Fascist state – a stage in rise of modern state or malfunction of the state or a return to neo-feudal
models of power
Fascist state presents two extreme pictures, one which says that fascism is just a middle
point and will invariably lead people to concept of welfare state and other that, it is an
ideological tool that will lead to growth in power of state which will leave people helpless
(Micocci and Di Mario, 2017). One picture says that it will help state usurp all power while other
says it will be an eye-opener for people that extremes are never beneficial in the long run. It can
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also be seen as result of malfunctioning of the existing State. For example, in Italy and Germany,
anti-incumbency can be seen during and after World War which pave way for violent ideologies
like fascism to reach the top level of governance in country and present itself as alternative State.
Third way with which fascism in the modern state can be seen is, as a resurgent to neo-feudalism
in power model. Neo-feudalism refers to rebirth of those policies that were present in feudal
societies and are equated with factors such as inequalities in income distribution, monopoly
power, changes at the level of the state, etc.
In modern state or twenty first century governance, it can be seen that traits of neo-
feudalism are on the rise and are bigger threat to democracy than fascism. Fascism can be seen in
subdued form today (Dean, 2020). For example, rise in ideological polarisation, rise in
nationalistic feelings in global market, etc. It is seen in capitalism today and urges states and
governments to subsidise such disparities that leave feudalistic traits behind. Fascism, of past
serves as lesson for people today that state exists for the welfare of the people and is it the
support of people that can be seen in a stable government. Democracy is seen as most people-
oriented form of government and fascist movement of past inspire people around globe to come
together and asks for it, so that no autocrat or form of State will ever by able to suppress them
and work for their social welfare. Therefore, it can be said that fascist state has acted as catalyst
in growth of power of modern state which works for the welfare of people who appointed them
and live in that territory.
Conclusion
From the above essay, conclusion can be drawn that fascism is extreme right-wing political
ideology which saw rise in Europe around first World War, especially in Italy under Mussolini
and in Germany under Hitler. Their rules were characterised by use of violence and extreme
modes of oppression, which is in no way acceptable in modern state which has to have character
of welfare state. With the increasing ideological polarisation around the world, it can be said that
a new form of fascism is rising but shall in no way be allowed to take away the concept of
welfare from modern State and their rule. In other words, it can be concluded from above words
typical fascist state in modern world is not possible to exist.
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References
Books and Journal
Bendersky, J.W., 2020. A concise history of Nazi Germany. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Berezin, M., 2018. Making the fascist self: The political culture of interwar Italy. Cornell
University Press.
Dean, J., 2020. Communism or Neo-Feudalism?. New Political Science, 42(1), pp.1-17.
Gellately, R. and Stoltzfus, N. eds., 2018. Social Outsiders in Nazi Germany. Princeton
University Press.
Hofmann, R., 2015. The fascist effect: Japan and Italy, 1915–1952. Cornell University Press.
Martin, B.G., 2016. The Nazi-fascist new order for European culture. Harvard University Press.
Micocci, A. and Di Mario, F., 2017. The fascist nature of neoliberalism. Routledge.
Spielvogel, J.J. and Redles, D., 2020. Hitler and Nazi Germany: A History. Routledge.
Tollardo, E., 2016. Fascist Italy and the League of Nations, 1922-1935. London: Palgrave
Macmillan.
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