Basic Principles OF Fascism PDF

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Basic Principles OF Fascism...

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BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FASCISM The ideology of fascism and its application in Benito Mussolini's Italy and Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany have allowed us to pinpoint some of the fundamental principles of the movement. The first and most important principle is nationalism. Those who support nationalism have a strong commitment to the territory and people of a particular organic nation, which is classified as such by the United Nations. Because of the existence of individuals of inferior and foreign races, religions, and cultures in the middle of a superior country that constitutes the vast majority of a state, fascism thinks that a nation will stay weak and subjugated. Because of the existence of 'the other' within the borders of a state, racial and cultural disputes erupt, which damage a nation's foundation. For example, instead of emphasising class struggle, as advocated by communists, fascism places a focus on racial and cultural conflict that exists inside a society. The fascist definition of a nation is a group of people who are members of a single race, one religion, and one culture, and who constitute the majority of the population in a certain geographical territory. Only the members of such a nation, according to the fascists, can enjoy an emotional and spiritual link with one another as well as with the region in which they inhabit. Mussolini proclaimed the following in 1922: "For us, the nation is more than just a physical location; it is also a spiritual being... A nation is great when it is able to transfer the energy of its soul into tangible reality." The expansionist and occupying of other areas as an integral aspect of foreign policy are publicly advocated by fascist states in the realm of international relations and foreign policy. Imperialism, according to the fascists, is a need as well as a hallmark of a vigorous and vibrant nation. As stated in the Italian Encyclopedia published in 1932: "For fascism, the growth of empire, that is to say the expansion of the nation, is an essential manifestation of vitality, and its opposite a sign of decadence." It was this particular fascist philosophy that resulted in enormous devastation in terms of human life and property not only in Europe but around the world during the two World Wars that occurred in the first half of the twentieth century, particularly in Europe. Hitler and Nazism had emerged as the ugliest face of fascism in Germany during the interwar period, and under Hitler's leadership, the Nazis shamelessly pursued a programme of expansionism because, according to their ideology, they were establishing a 'living space' for the German population. The principles of violence and militarism, which are inextricably linked to a foreign policy that unabashedly believes in the occupation of foreign lands for the benefit of the fascist state, are essential to the conquest of foreign states. According to the fascist ideology, the use of force and the promotion of militarism are among the qualities of a government. According to the fascists, concepts such as nonviolence and

pacifism are symptoms of a cowardly and timid nation. Mussolini had the following to say about the subject: "War is the only thing that brings all human energies to their highest point of tension and bestows the dignity of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to confront it." The third important principle of fascism is that it favours a totalitarian state ruled by a despotic authority and is vehemently opposed to liberal democratic institutions. Mussolini declared the following while describing the totalitarian characteristics of a fascist state: "Human and spiritual qualities cannot exist, let alone have significance, outside of the fascist vision of the state, which is allencompassing. Totalitarianism is understood in this way, and the fascist State— a synthesis and unit inclusive of all values—interprets, develops, and amplifies the entirety of a people's life." An efficient totalitarian regime, in order to be effective, must have an extremely powerful and forceful type of political rule. It is for this reason that fascism rejects democracy, believing that it is neither a strong nor an effective form of government capable of implementing the fascist political agenda in its entirety. During the interwar period in Germany, the Nazi fascists propagated the idea that the German nation suffered during World War I as a result of pluralism, and that the nation would suffer again if a strong political order was not established. German National Socialist Carl Schmitt observed that a "strong state which guarantees a totality of political unity transcending all diversity" was required in order to rid Germany of the "disastrous pluralism tearing the German people apart." that had been tearing the German people apart at the time. To lead a fascist state, the fascists would prefer a ruthless demagogue to be in charge. It is essential that his orders are unquestionably followed by everyone, and that his actions as 'the leader' of a fascist state be immune from public criticism or accountability. So Mussolini was such a leader in Italy, while Hitler was known as the Fuhrer in Germany, among other places. Fifth, one of the most important principles of fascism is social Darwinism, which holds that only a nation that is socially and biologically strong has the right to rule over and subjugate the lands and people of weaker nations. Because they are not only 'the other,' but also necessarily belong to inferior and weak races, fascists advocate the establishment of such a nation by annihilating members of foreign stock. In the same way that Darwin argued that only the biologically fittest species could survive, the fascists argued that the strongest and most able race had a natural right to dominate the people of weaker races. According to Alfred Rocco, a fascist writer from Italy, "The fundamental law of life in all social organisms, just as it is in all biological organisms, is conflict; societies are formed, gain strength, and move forward through conflict; the healthiest and most vital of them assert themselves against the weakest and least

well adapted of them through conflict; and the natural evolution of nations and races occurs through conflict." Aryan races were projected as the martial races that had a natural right to subjugate people of weaker races and rule over the entire world in Nazi Germany, which was home to the majority of Germans. Approximately three lakh physically weaker and disabled people were massacred by the Nazis in order to build a strong and healthy German nation, according to some estimates. Fascism can only survive and thrive with the help of propaganda and a wellcoordinated indoctrination programme. As a result, the fifth significant principle of fascism is the indoctrination of people through the extensive use of media, education, public speeches, and written material, among other methods. Indoctrination by propaganda had proven to be an effective method of indoctrination for both the fascists in Italy and the Nazis in Germany. To gain complete control over education is a primary goal of the Nazi Party. By spreading false stories about the former splendour and grandeur of a so-called pure and fittest nation through school textbooks, the Nazi Party seeks to create a new race of people who are fully committed to fascist ideals. Furthermore, apart from spreading falsehoods about their own greatness and prominence, the fascists also falsely accuse members of minorities races, religions and cultures of committing crimes, betraying others, and engaging in seditious activities. "The other," who can be depicted in the most dehumanising terms as the enemy and traitor among the "naturally superior nation," is desperately needed by fascism. As a result of the fact that fascist indoctrination can only be achieved through deception and hypocrisy, the fascists despise any attempt to study ideology and history in an objective, scientific, and dispassionate manner. Fascism is the polar opposite of the intellectual and academic cultures that exist today. Hitler despised intellectuals and university professors, among other things. According to him, "When I take a look at the intellectual classes we have – unfortunately, I suppose, they are necessary; otherwise one could one day, I don't know, exterminate them or something – but unfortunately they're necessary." Sixth, when it came to economics, the fascists were opposed to both capitalism and communism at the same time. A "third position" was proposed instead, which could include elements of both economic systems depending on the economic conditions that prevail in a given state, according to the participants. The corporatism that developed in fascist Italy was a type of economy in which the national economic affairs were collectively managed by the employers, workers, and government officials, rather than individually managed by individuals. Despite the fact that fascism is virulently anticommunist, it is also committed to the destruction of large-scale private enterprises. The fascists

advocate state regulation of privately owned means of production and properties, rather than their nationalisation, as the best solution. However, as has already been stated, it is possible that the fascists do not have a consistent approach to economic policy. They intend to alter it in order to meet the needs of the current circumstances. For example, in Nazi Germany, some businesses were nationalised, while strict regulation was recommended for other business ventures in the same country. Although the fascist economic system, known as corporatism, is intended to empower workers as well as employers and bureaucrats, in practise it results in the complete control of employers and government officials over their businesses. Hitler was a ferocious opponent of workers' empowerment. Because of these actions, he was forced to pass a law in 1934, entitled Law for the Ordering of National Labor, which severely curtailed the ability of workers' factory organisations to participate in matters such as wage fixing and working conditions determination. In Italy, economic policies were designed in such a way that they would increase state power while also aiding in the dissemination of party ideology. As a result, the fascists gained control over virtually all of the trade unions and related organisations of workers. Despite the fact that fascists were never supportive of free-market capitalism or laissez-faire, they became outspoken opponents of these ideologies following the Great Depression. They were outspoken in their opposition to finance capitalism, which they defined as the practise of charging interest and profiteering. Germans were more vocal in their opposition to free-market capitalism than in other parts of the world because financial activities were largely controlled by Jews, who were perceived as belonging to a 'inferior race, religion, and culture' and were accused of depriving the martial Aryan race of its material resources. The 'parasitic' Jews, as well as the profession in which they were engaged, were both despised to the extreme. Given the fact that fascism places a high value on the community rather than on individuals, it recommends that private property be structured in such a way that the benefits accrue primarily to the nation rather than to the individual. Factionalism, on the other hand, opposes complete nationalisation and worker empowerment in their entirety. Economic activities, like everything else, should be developed, promoted, and utilised solely for the benefit of the so-called "superior organic nation," as opposed to the general public. In conclusion, it can be stated that fascism is fundamentally an inhumane and dangerous political ideology that must be opposed. In order for it to work, it must be presupposed that there is an existentially superior and martial race that has a natural right to be the ruler of the world. Furthermore, this so-called martial race is entitled to subjugate "the other" people and their lands, precisely

because "the other" people are alleged to be descended from "weaker" and "inferior" races in comparison to themselves. Such ludicrous assertions do not stand up to the scrutiny of history and science. Almost since the invention of the wheel, populations all over the world have been in constant movement. The tremendous advancements in science and technology have resulted in a significant increase in the mobility of people. Intermarriage has occurred as a result of wars, international trade, and imperialism, among other factors. As a result, there is a very small number of people who can legitimately assert their racial purity and superiority on an absolute basis. Fascism is a political ideology that is extremely violent and militant in nature, and it has caused unimaginable misery and devastation throughout the world, but particularly on the continent of Europe, in particular. Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler had been the two most popular fascist propagandists during their respective times. They also happened to be the most despised historical figures in the eyes of the majority of civilised people....