fascista

Fascista is a term used to describe a follower or advocate of fascism, an authoritarian and nationalist political ideology that arose in early 20th-century Europe. The word derives from fasci, the bundle of rods symbolizing unity and authority in ancient Rome, and was adopted by the Italian movement founded by Benito Mussolini in 1919, which coined the term fascismo.

Core ideas associated with fascism include ultranationalism, anti-liberalism, anti-communism, and a preference for a strong, centralized state led by a single leader. Fascist movements typically emphasize militarism, the mobilization of society through propaganda and mass organizations, and a corporatist approach to the economy. They also advocate the suppression of political pluralism, civil liberties, and dissent, often employing paramilitary violence or intimidation to achieve goals.

Historically, Italian fascism ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under Mussolini, and allied with Nazi Germany during World War II. Elements of fascist governance persisted in other nationalist authoritarian regimes, notably Francoist Spain and Salazar’s Portugal, though each had distinct characteristics. The label fascist has also been applied more broadly to various nationalist, anti-democratic movements, leading to ongoing scholarly debate about the precise boundaries and definitions of fascism as a historical category.

In contemporary usage, fascist is commonly used as a pejorative for individuals or policies perceived as undemocratic, violently repressive, or intolerant. Some scholars distinguish classic fascism from other far-right tendencies, while others argue that fascism should be understood as a historical phenomenon with identifiable core traits rather than a single, fixed doctrine.