What is Fascism?

Fascist governments are built around total control. The state dictates what people can believe, how they live, and what values they must follow. Individual rights are suppressed, and opposition is quickly silenced — often by force. The military and police play a central role in maintaining order and loyalty.

Nationalism is a core value. Criticizing the country or its leaders is treated as a threat, and trade with other nations is discouraged. Fascists aim for self-sufficiency and reject outside influence. Labor unions and independent organizations are banned, as they might challenge the authority of the ruling party.

The word fascism comes from the Latin word fasces — a bundle of sticks tied around an ax. In ancient Rome, this symbol stood for strength through unity. A single stick breaks easily, but a bundle is strong.

In the early 20th century, this idea was used as a political symbol. Fascist leaders claimed their nations needed to be bound tightly under a single leader to survive tough times. They believed unity, obedience, and national pride were more important than individual freedoms or debate.

After World War I, Italy was in crisis. The country lost many lives and gained little from the peace treaty. In 1919, poet and war hero Gabriele D’Annunzio led a group of former soldiers to seize the city of Fiume, claiming it for Italy. He ruled it for over a year without official approval, using rallies, uniforms, and strict control to inspire loyalty. His short rule introduced ideas that would shape fascism: nationalism, violence, censorship, and a leader with unchecked power.

Though D’Annunzio eventually lost control, his experiment paved the way for a more lasting fascist regime

Benito Mussolini watched D’Annunzio’s experiment and saw an opportunity. Like many Italians, he believed the peace treaty had humiliated Italy. In 1922, as the government faltered, Mussolini and his paramilitary Blackshirts marched on Rome. The king appointed him Prime Minister in hopes of avoiding civil war.

At first, Mussolini claimed to support democracy, but within three years, he dismantled democratic institutions and declared himself dictator—Il Duce. He used violence, censorship, and propaganda to silence critics and build a fascist state. Mussolini remained in power until 1943.

Adolf Hitler was inspired by Mussolini’s rise and sought to replicate it in Germany. A World War I veteran, Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party, which later became the Nazi Party. He quickly rose to leadership and attempted a coup in 1923. After the failed uprising, he was imprisoned and wrote Mein Kampf, outlining his ideology and plans.

In 1934, Hitler became Führer and Chancellor, seizing full control of Germany. He banned opposition parties, controlled the media through propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, and rewrote school textbooks to reflect Nazi ideology. Under Hitler, the Nazis promoted extreme nationalism, racism, and antisemitism, laying the groundwork for war and genocide.

The Holocaust was the systematic genocide carried out by Nazi Germany during World War II, targeting Jews and other groups the regime deemed undesirable. It began in 1938 with widespread destruction of Jewish businesses and places of worship during Kristallnacht. What followed was a state-sponsored campaign of harassment, segregation, and violence.

Over time, Nazi policies escalated to mass deportations, forced labor, and murder in concentration and extermination camps. Six million Jews were killed, along with millions of others — including Roma people, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, political dissidents, and prisoners of war. The Holocaust remains one of history’s most horrific examples of where unchecked fascist ideology can lead.

Fascism wasn’t limited to Germany and Italy. In Spain, Francisco Franco rose to power during a bloody civil war in the 1930s, backed by both Hitler and Mussolini. His regime executed thousands of political opponents, censored the press, and suppressed minority groups. Though his rule softened in later years, Franco remained in power until his death in 1975.

Elsewhere, authoritarian leaders with fascist tendencies took control. Engelbert Dollfuss in Austria, Antonio Salazar in Portugal, Ioannis Metaxas in Greece, and Hideki Tojo in Japan all ruled with limited opposition, strong nationalism, and strict control over civil liberties. While not identical in method, these regimes shared many of the hallmarks of fascist governance.

Fascist ideology leans heavily on the idea that strength and unity matter more than individual rights. The 19th-century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche influenced some of these ideas—particularly his concept of the “superman,” a person who rises above conventional morality and weakness to forge their own path. Fascists distorted this philosophy to justify authoritarian rule and the rejection of equality.

Another major influence was Italian philosopher Giovanni Gentile, who co-wrote parts of Mussolini’s doctrine. He believed that individuals only found meaning through the state and that personal freedom should serve national strength. In fascism, the government isn’t just a structure—it’s seen as the highest expression of the people.

Fascism is typically placed on the far-right end of the political spectrum because of its emphasis on nationalism, strict social hierarchy, and rejection of equality. Fascists believe in a powerful state that controls every aspect of life and suppresses opposition, but they don’t promote economic equality or shared ownership like socialists or communists.

Some critics have argued that because fascist governments often expand state power, they resemble far-left systems. But fascists strongly opposed both socialism and communism, violently cracking down on leftist movements. They also rejected democratic ideals, preferring one-party rule backed by force.

In practice, fascism blends extreme authoritarianism with ultranationalism—traits most often associated with far-right ideologies.

While no country today openly identifies as fascist, elements of fascist ideology still appear in modern politics. Some fringe groups, like neo-Nazis and white nationalist movements, openly embrace fascist symbols and rhetoric. These groups are often small and widely condemned, but their presence sparks concern—especially when mainstream politics starts echoing their ideas.

In some countries, political parties or leaders have been accused of using fascist tactics, such as undermining free elections, restricting the press, or promoting aggressive nationalism. These actions don’t always amount to full-blown fascism, but they can signal a shift toward authoritarianism.

Understanding fascism’s history and core features helps people recognize the warning signs when democratic institutions are under threat.