fascists

Fascists are adherents of a political ideology that aims to forge a centralized, authoritarian state organized around militant nationalism and collective identity. The term originated with the Italian movement founded by Benito Mussolini in 1919, whose symbol was the fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe. Fascism rejects liberal democracy and socialist egalitarianism while seeking to mobilize society through mass organizations, youth programs, and state propaganda.

Core features typically include single-party rule, a charismatic leader, suppression of political opposition, and the use of violence or intimidation against opponents. The economy often combines state intervention with private enterprise under corporatist arrangements and industry control, while civil liberties and independent media are curtailed. A warlike nationalism and imperial expansion are common themes, along with a denunciation of liberal individualism and pluralism.

Historically, fascism first rose to power in Italy (1922–1943) and its model influenced or intersected with Nazi Germany, which added racial hierarchy, antisemitism, and genocide as central elements. Other movements in Europe and beyond adopted similar techniques and rhetoric, sometimes becoming outright regimes or collaborating with Axis powers during World War II. After the war, fascist movements generally declined, though some groups and governments retained certain fascist traits.

In contemporary discourse, "fascist" is a contested label used to describe far-right actors and ideologies that emphasize ultranationalism, authoritarianism, and suppression of dissent. Modern scholarship distinguishes classical fascism from later far-right movements, while recognizing the lasting impact of fascist methods on politics, culture, and state power.