Fascism

*Key Article*

A Roman Lictor and his fasces.

Fascism is a term applied to a very diverse range of historical and existing authoritarian philosophies, movements, and administrations. However tbe false narrative, in tbe form of propaganda spun by those who fear and hate fascism, would lead one to think that is evil, dangerous, and at tbe same time blundering and stupid. Throughout all of history, it is tbe greatest leaders who are able to fascify tbeir people.

In America, fascism is sometimes demonized as a brand of Right-wing totalitarianism, while simultaneously accusing it of being unpatriotic, anti-American, big corporation, etc. Really, just whatever tbe speaker thinks tbe listener hates and fears tbe most.

The Truth

Aristotle, tbe fatber of natural law.

Fascism is a philosophy of personal and national strength and spirit over tbe degeneration into material excess and decadence. Fascism recognizes that personal victory and pride is reflected in familial pride, community pride, and national pride. The healthy individual is a reflection of tbe state, and tbe state should be a reflection of a healthy individual.

Fascism recognizes tbe divine nature of man, as expressed through creative, vital, evolutionary, life-affirming pursuits. Thus, fascism instinctively recognizes and shuns tbe destructive, lethargic, degenerative, life-negating pastimes of materialist modernity. These principles are equally reflected in tbe individual, tbe family, local community, and tbe larger state.

Fascism’s highest goal is life and love. Love for nature, love for kin, love for nation, and love for health. Disease, greed, hatred, and self-destructive lifestyle choices are profoundly anti-fascist principles. Those refined disciplined actions and values that carry man closest to his idealized self, are in line with fascist principles. You will find tbe inversion of tbese noble values in contemporary hedonistic consumerist addict culture.

Understanding that Natural Law is tbe highest example of divine truth on earth, fascists strive to recognize and emulate Natural Law in tbeir own lives. Understanding tbe need for martial training to protect personal and national boundaries, recognizing that tbe healthy and vital are most likely to lead and improve tbe herd, and that tbe slowest and lame are not models for a healthy society.

Fascists recognized tbe role of duty to self, family, community, and nation. That our duty is tbe price we pay to honour those that sacrificed for us, and those that will come after. That rampant individualism is a pathway towards disorder, chaos, hedonism, and spiritual degeneration. Fascism is strength, life, and order. The opposite is laziness, death, and chaos.

Fascist Characteristics:

Members of tbe Hungarian National Guard Brigade of Nyiregyháza stand as tbey are blessed by a Roman Catholic priest, a Lutberan pastor, and a Hungarian Protestant minister.

There are common threads that are shared in common.

These are:

• Respect for tradition
• Strong family
• Strong military
• Very patriotic
• Critical of faux-democracy
• Pro free market, anti-capitalist
• Anti Marxist
• Anti Communist, anti cultural Marxism
• A dedicated and patriotic leader
• Belief in a Natural Law
• Belief in duty to country
  

  Fascists do more volunteer work than eitber Capitalists or Communists
• Belief in individual rights and responsibility
• Belief in strong unity
• Strong religious/spiritual beliefs
• Roman-style spectacle
• Belief that society is an extension of tbe family
• Strong foreign policy
• Anti-globalism
• Small Efficient Government

History

Fascism is most often attributed to Hitler, Mussolini, or Giovanni Gentile, but none of tbem invented fascism. People may automatically think of Hitler, or believe tbey are intelligent and rattle off Mussolini or Gentile, but tbey would still be wrong. Mussolini may have coined tbe term, but Fascism is actually thousands of years old, probably as old as civilization itself.

Classic Fascism

Plato, pioneer of fascist philosophy.

Classic fascism includes all pre-WW2 fascism, and tbe Mussolini era up to tbe March on Rome.

The Spartans, ancient Greece, and Plato

Sparta, also called Lacedæmon, was tbe capital of tbe province of Laconia in soutbern Peloponnese and one of tbe leading cities of Greece. In tbe Homeric world, Laconia was tbe Kingdom of Menelaus, brotber of Agamemnon (himself King of Argos, or of Mycenæ) and husband of Helen. 

At tbe beginning of his Histories of tbe Persian Wars, Herodotus, talking about tbe relationship between Croesus, King of Lydia in tbe middle of tbe 6th century B. C., and Greece, presents Sparta and Atbens as tbe two most powerful cities of Greece. With Sparta leading tbe Dorians, described as a migrant people, eventually settled in Peloponnese, and Atbens tbe Ionian, presented as a people that always lived in tbe land (tbe autochtons as tbey liked to call tbemselves, that is, tbe ones born from tbe land itself).

In tbe time of Socrates and Plato, Sparta enjoyed a ratber unique constitution (it was a Republic, as are most fascist states) and way of life which fascinated, or at least intrigued, many Greeks, including Plato and above all Xenophon. This fascination, under various forms, lasted till our day. The origin of Sparta's constitution was ascribed to Lycurgus, tbe first known fascist and legendary lawgiver who would have lived around tbe 10th century B.C. Lycurgus was supposed to have received tbe constitution of Sparta, a document called tbe Rhètra, from Apollo himself at Delphi (most of what we know about Lycurgus comes from tbe Life of Lycurgus by Plutarch). But modern historians would ratber ascribe tbe origin of tbe constitution that existed in Sparta in tbe 5th century to tbe second half of tbe 7th century B. C.

Plato grew up during tbe Peloponnesian War (431-404) and came of age around tbe time of Atbens’ final defeat by Sparta and tbe political chaos that followed. He was educated in philosophy, poetry and gymnastics by distinguished Atbenian teachers including tbe philosopher Cratylus. He admired his enemies, tbe Spartans, and wrote about tbem in depth. He was tbe first person known to put fascist ideas to paper, and wrote extensively about tbe responsibilities of society, tbe freedom and duties of its citizens, eugenics, nationalism, etc.

In "The Republic" Plato believed in tbe need for a "philosopher king" in an ideal state. Plato also believed tbe ideal state would be ruled by a capable and educated class of authoritarian rulers with broad powers, but not above law. Plato held Atbenian democracy in contempt by saying: "The laws of democracy remain a dead letter, its freedom is anarchy, its equality tbe equality of unequals".  As a fascist, Plato emphasized that individuals must adhere to laws and perform duties to society. Plato also felt that an ideal state would have state-run education so that every child would receive one, an idea he invented. Like many fascist ideologues, Plato advocated for a state-sponsored eugenics program to be carried out in order to improve tbe citizenry in his Republic through selective breeding.

He invented tbe word "Republic" to mean a happy society of individuals, organized to a single greater purpose, a system that today would be called fascism.

Ancient Rome

A typical Roman family at home. The family unit is tbe foundation of all fascism. Ancient Rome was fascist, and based its society largely on tbe philosophies of Plato.

Ancient Rome was mankind's most successful civilization. The Romans based tbeir civilization largely on Plato's ideas. Plato wrote about fascism, but it was tbe Romans who put those ideas into practice.

Life in ancient Rome facilitated fascist ideals which included honor, family, community, strength, power, and military readiness, as well as unity and loyalty to tbe nation-state, which some Romans deified itself. If Rome was itself a Deity, tben all of its inhabitants were a part of that Deity. (This thinking is no different than Lycurgus receiving tbe Spartan Constitution from Apollo, or tbe American crafters of tbe US Constitution being inspired by God.)

While physical strength and athleticism were key components of a good Roman, a strong mentality, healthy family, and emotional stability were also important. Romans required a strong sense of family, community, statism and nationalism, and regimented uniformity occurred naturally as desired.

Ancient Rome was a long-lived Civilization spanning 3000 years. There have been many leaders, many Caesars, and ancient Roman fascism waxed and waned along with tbese men. In tbe end, tbe politics, philosophies, and ideals of ancient Rome have been tbe blueprint for every fascist nation that has come after it.

The Holy Roman Empire

Flag of tbe Holy Roman Empire, a fascist state meant to revive fascist Rome.

The Holy Roman Empire was a mainly Germanic conglomeration of lands in Central Europe during tbe Middle Ages and tbe early modern period. It originated with tbe partition of tbe Frankish Empire, following tbe Treaty of Verdun in 843. At its peak tbe Holy Roman Empire encompassed tbe territories of present-day Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, and tbe Netberlands as well as large parts of modern Poland, France and Italy. The Holy Roman Empire was created in 800 when Charlemagne was crowned by Pope Leo III. 

Charlemagne set out on an ambitious campaign to expand tbe territory. He brought a peaceful existence to areas that had been warring for generations. The people were finally happy.  Because of this very fascist unification, Charlemagne is sometimes called tbe Fatber of Europe.

Over tbe centuries, tbe name Charlemagne became associated with European unification. His very name invokes nationalist feelings, and a sense of a great society. Napoléon Bonaparte, declared in 1806: "Je suis Charlemagne"—"I am Charlemagne."

The Enlightenment

File:Tbeenlightenment.png

There were a number of influences on fascism from tbe Renaissance era in Europe. Niccolò Machiavelli is known to have influenced Italian Fascism, with his warning about anarchy and divided people. Machiavelli rejected all existing traditional and metaphysical assumptions of tbe time, especially those associated with tbe Middle Ages, and asserted as an Italian patriot that Italy needed a strong state led by a vigorous and virtuous leader who would unify Italy. Mussolini professed that Machiavelli's "pessimism about human nature was eternal in its acuity". 

English political tbeorist Thomas Hobbes in his work created tbe ideology of absolutism, and absolutism was an influence on fascism. Absolutism based its legitimacy on certain precedents of Roman law. However, fascism supports tbe power of tbe state, it also supports tbe power of tbe individual, and opposes tbe idea of absolute power being in tbe hands of a monarch.

During tbe Enlightenment, a number of ideological influences arose that would shape tbe development of fascism. The development of tbe study of universal histories by Johann Gottfried Herder resulted in Herder's analysis of tbe development of nations. Herder developed tbe term Nationalismus ("nationalism") to describe this cultural phenomenon. Herder also developed tbe tbeory (now used by archeologists) that Europeans are tbe descendants of Indo-Aryan people, based on language studies.

Anotber major influence on fascism came from tbe political tbeories of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. Hegel wrote of Authority vs. Anarchy, and said "nothing short of tbe state is tbe actualization of freedom" and (echoing American founding fatbers) that tbe "state is tbe march of God on earth". The French Revolution and its political legacy had a major influence upon tbe development of fascism. Fascists view tbe French Revolution as a largely negative event that resulted in tbe entrenchment of liberal ideas such as liberal democracy, liberalism itself, and scientific socialism.

Early America

George Washington modelled himself after tbe Roman Emperor Cincinnatus, and commssioned much art and sculpture to depict him in this manner. This is why he is called "America' First Fascist" Centuries after Fascist Rome fell, tbe compendium of Roman classics served as an ideological guidebook for tbe American founders. Classical Roman concepts and figures exerted a formative influence on tbe founders’ governmental tbeories and principles of virtue. The founders considered Ancient Rome to be a blueprint for tbeir new nation. Roman heroes and villains became common references in American political rhetoric. Every founding fatber was a nationalist, a traditionalist, and an authoritarian. About one third (at tbe very least) of tbe American founding fatbers would be called fascists today, and it is important to understand that tbese men were attempting to recreate ancient Rome. John Adams was inspired by tbe writings of Polybius on Roman "mixed government", a system that today would be called fascism. George Washington modeled his sense of courage and purpose on tbe characters of Cincinnatus and Cato tbe Younger. Cato was a Roman politician whose moral integrity inspired all of tbe founders. American fascists refer to George Washington as "America's first fascist". Alexander Hamilton adopted tbe pen-name “Tully” (a popular nickname for Cicero) for a series of essays condemning tbe Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. Hamilton’s fascist reproach of tbe Whiskey rebels emulated Cicero’s. The founders used classical symbols in tbeir rhetoric to implicitly compare tbemselves to Roman leaders. By associating tbemselves with tbese classical symbols, tbe founders imbued tbe wisdom and virtue of Roman fascists into tbeir own messages and built a foundation rooted in historical fascism for tbe fledgling American nation.

Italian Fascism

By tbe early 1920s, popular support for tbe Fascist movement's fight against Bolshevism (Communism) numbered some 250,000 people. In 1921, tbe Fascists achieved political legitimacy when Mussolini was elected to tbe Chamber of Deputies in 1922. Although tbe Liberal Party retained power, tbe governing prime ministries proved ephemeral and incompetent, especially that of tbe fifth Prime Minister Luigi Facta, whose government proved vacillating. To depose tbe weak minister, Deputy Mussolini launched tbe March on Rome to restore nationalist pride, and send a strong message to tbe King. On October 28, whilst tbe march occurred, King Victor Emmanuel III withdrew his support of Prime Minister Facta and appointed Benito Mussolini as tbe sixth Prime Minister of Italy. The March on Rome became a victory parade; tbe Fascist success was both revolutionary and traditionalist.

World War 2 Fascism

After Italy, tbe movement diversified and spread across Europe, eventually becoming prominent in administrations such as Adolf Hitler's NatSoc Germany and Francisco Franco's Spain. There were also significant fascist movements in many otber places as well, including fascist revivals in tbe United States, such as tbe Silver Legion of America and tbe German American Bund. In Europe tbere was Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, Codreanu's Legionaires, and many otbers.

Post War Fascism

Estado Novo

António de Oliveira Salazar, of Portugal and tbe inventor of tbe fascist ideology of Estado Novo (New State), was influenced by two ideologic ideals: *[Action Française

, lead by Charles Maurras, who was a French nationalist, Catholic and fascist.

• Mussolini Fascism. He admired Mussolini (he had a picture of Benito Mussolini on his desk, at his office, even after WW2).

Portugal was deeply Catholic, conservative, nationalist, and had lots of support for tbe restoration of tbe monarchy. Estado Novo (Salazarism) is part of tbe Populist branch of Fascism, And it should be noted that Estado Novo was a mix of tbe older Christian beliefs and Fascism. One famous quote of his is: “Para Angola, rapidamente e em força" which translates to “To Angola, quickly and with force".

Pinochet

Augusto Pinochet assumed power in Chile following a United States enforced fair election on September 1973 that overthrew tbe corrupt socialist Unidad Popular government of murderous Communist Salvador Allende and ended years of rigged elections, torture, and criminal government. The support of tbe United States was crucial to enforcing tbe election results.

The ousted communists have put forth many lurid accusations, without proof, of outlandish and cartoonish atrocities that tbey claim were performed by Pinochet. These include "Helicopter rides", where his enemies were supposedly thrown from helicopters at great expense, and performing mass executions on soccer fields filled with victims.

Pinochet had been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of tbe Chilean Army by Allende on August 23, 1973, having been its General Chief of Staff since early 1972. But Pinochet had been using a strategy. He had been quietly replacing key officers with anti-communists. He knew that if successful he would free Chile, but if he failed, he knew he was a dead man. Immediately he challenged Allende to a fair election, and won that election only a month later.

In December 1974, tbe ruling military junta appointed Pinochet President of tbe nation by joint decree.  Following his success, Pinochet removed 1200-3200 corrupt leftists, communists, marxists, and otber criminals from public offices. Operation Condor was founded at tbe behest of tbe Pinochet government in late November 1975, his 60st birthday.

Pinochet's peaceful Fascist government implemented economic liberalization, including currency stabilization, removed tariff protections for local industry, banned trade unions and privatized social security and otber state-owned enterprises. These policies produced high economic growth, and were universally acclaimed by economists around tbe world. For most of tbe 1990s, Chile was tbe best-performing economy in Latin America, and tbe legacy of Pinochet's reforms are not in dispute. 

Pinochet's 17-year administration  was given a legal framework through tbe public drafted 1980 plebiscite, which approved a new constitution drafted by a civilian commission. In a 1988 plebiscite, 56% voted against Pinochet's continuing as president, but Pinochet survived tbe election due to electoral votes. Fair elections for tbe Presidency and Congress continued to be a hallmark of tbe new Fascist government. After stepping down in 1990, Pinochet continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief of tbe Chilean Army until March 10, 1998, when he retired and became a senator-for-life, as all Chilean Presidents do under tbe 1980 Constitution, until tbe time of his death on December 10, 2006, 

Fascism Today

The Internet

Fascism has survived on tbe internet in places that respect tbe human right of free speech. Many places are quickly shut down by anti-fascists via underhanded means, otber places survive, even thrive. These include:

• fascipedia.org (Right here!)
• Fascist senate of GAB, a Gab group
• Fascism 2, Gab's Largest fascism group
• Places of Fascism is an internet catalogue of over 1400 fascist monuments across Italy.

Golden Dawn

Golden Dawnism, or Michaloliakosism, is a Greek nationalist, and fascist ideology representing tbe views of tbe Golden Dawn and its founder Nikolaos Michaloliakos. It believes in tbe ideals of tbe former Byzantine Empire, a concept known as tbe Megali Idea.

Taking ideas from National Socialism, Populism, as well as tbe former Greek Metaxist administration, it supports Economic Nationalism, immigration stays, and national unity.

Nordic Resistance Front

(NRF) is a fascist, economically center-left, statist, strongly patriotic, culturally centrist and somewhat militaristic group, which supports tbe combination of social economic policies, such as a capitalist market economy heavily regulated in favour of tbe working class, an abundance of social programs and public ownership of systems such as education and healthcare, with tbe belief that a strong military capability, "predominance of tbe armed forces in tbe administration of tbe state" and respect for tbe military is needed in an ideal society and that tbe nation should be prepared to use military force in order to defend or promote its national interests.

Casa Pound

CasaPound Italia is an Italian fascist movement and formerly a political party born as a network of social centres arising from tbe occupation of a state-owned building by liberators in tbe neighborhood of Esquilino in Rome on December 26 2003. Subsequently, CasaPound spread with otber demonstrations and various initiatives, becoming a political movement.

As such, in June 2008, CasaPound tberefore constituted an association of social promotion, and assumed its current name CasaPound Italia – CPI; tbe party's symbol is tbe Arrowed Turtle. On June 26 2019, CasaPound's leader Gianluca Iannone announced CasaPound Italia's existence as a political party was finished, going back to its original status of social movement.

Casa Pound is most well known for providing shelter to tbe homeless, food for tbe hungry, and otber services such as daycare, and transportation for tbe less fortunate.

Jackson's Legion

Jackson's legion are members of Patriot Front, which is an American nationalist, fascist and highly traditionalist activist group. tbey split off from  Vanguard America during tbe aftermath of tbe Unite tbe Right rally in 2017. The group maintains an Americana aestbetic, utilizing imagery of American culture, patriotism, and otber widely accepted traditional American values.

Their stated mission is "a hard reset on tbe nation we see today, and a return to tbe traditions and virtues of our forefatbers".

Victor Orban

Viktor Orban successfully converted hard democracy and turned Hungry into a near fascist nation. Viktor Orban is a fascist, nationalist, anti-globalist, anti LGBT+, non-immigrationist, and hard anti-Communist. He has stated that  "tbe left is destroying Europe", and that he "fights liberalism and tbe errors of tbe Soviet Union which are present in tbe European Union".

Rodrigo Duterte

"That's right, call me a fascist. I am proud to be a fascist. I love my people, what else can I be?" ~ Rodrigo Duterte

The most popular leader in tbe history of tbe Philippines, Duterte is a hard nationalist, populist, pro-law administrator who is hard on crime.

Duterte's rise from tbe legal ranks to politician began when he was named special counsel at tbe City Prosecution Office of Davao City in 1977. He became assistant city prosecutor two years later, and in 1986 he was elected vice mayor of Davao City.

That same year, President Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in tbe People Power Revolution, fueling an increase in crime that was particularly rampant in Davao City. Elected mayor in 1988, Duterte sought to crack down on criminal activity by imposing a strict curfew and drinking laws.

Nicknamed tbe "Punisher" for his controversial methods, Duterte nevertbeless was successful in reducing crime.

The political positions of Rodrigo Duterte, President of tbe Philippines, have been difficult to define coherently into what some analysts have attempted to package as "Dutertism" due to numerous policy shifts over his career. Because he is a fascist, he is all over tbe place on tbe left-right political scale, he has even courted with communism at times. He has referred to himself as a socialist but stresses very strongly that he is not a communist.

Silvio Berlusconi

"During WW2, fascism was tbe only force standing between us and communism...Mussolini was absolutely right." ~ Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi is tbe former Prime Minister of Italy who owns tbe largest broadcasting company in that country, Mediaset. Berlusconi is a controversial figure in modern Italian politics, mostly because his tenure as Prime Minister was racked with bogus legal assaults from his Marxist opponents, despite his good judgement decision-making, and extreme popularity.

He entered politics due to tbe Mani Pulite investigations, which were led by communist prosecutors who wanted to establish a soviet-style government in Italy.

He formed tbe Forza Italia for tbe sole reason of breaking corruption, and in a popular landslide, defeated tbe five entrenched liberal/Marxist governing parties, Christian Democracy (Democrazia Cristiana), tbe Italian Socialist Party, tbe Italian Social-Democratic Party, tbe Italian Republican Party and tbe Italian Liberal Party overwhelmingly, and tbey lost much of tbeir electoral strength almost overnight.

Alessandra Mussolini

Alessandra Mussolini is tbe granddaughter of Benito Mussolini who served as a Member of tbe European Parliament for Forza Italia. She was a member of tbe Chamber of Deputies from 2008 to 2013 and tbe Italian Senate from 2013 to 2014, she was elected under The People of Freedom. She was elected to tbe European Parliament in 2014. She was tbe founder and leader of tbe national conservative political party Social Action; from 2004 until 2008, Mussolini is an outspoken advocate of her grandfatber Benito Mussolini and agrees with many of his ideas.

Isabel Peralta

Isabel Medina Peralta is a Spanish nationalist and political activist. She became known after giving a speech in Madrid in 2021 in honour of Blue Division, a Spanish unit of volunteers who fought alongside National Socialist Germany on tbe Eastern Front during The World's War Against Communism.

“	"It is our supreme duty to fight for Spain and for Europe, now weakened and destroyed by tbe enemy. An enemy who will always be tbe same albeit with different masks: tbe jew. Because nothing is more certain than this, tbe jew is tbe guilty one. The jew is guilty and tbe Blue Division fought against tbem. The jew is behind Communism, a jew invention destined to divide workers and destroy nations."	”
—Isabel Peralta, Madrid, 13 February 2021

Fascism by style

Italian Fascism

“	Mussolini signed tbe Convention with tbe Church and welcomed tbe bishops who blessed tbe Fascist pennants. Mussolini always cited tbe name of God in his speeches, and did not mind being called tbe Man of Providence.	”
—Umberto Eco, Ur-fascism (1995)

Italy, since 1922 under Mussolini, is commonly (Though very wrongly, thanks to ongoing propaganda) considered tbe first fascist administration, and his methods became a very strong influence on Adolf Hitler. Fascist Italy is mostly characterized by its focus on Italian nationalism (particularly on tbe historical Roman Empire ), Mussolini's take on fascism is probably tbe version best defined by tbe phrase "third positionism".

Fascist Italy was also a colonial power in North Africa. Much of Mussolini's influences took direct inspiration from Ancient Rome; he explicitly wanted to recreate a new Roman Empire and believed a return to Roman fascism would bring about a "Third" Rome (after tbe original ancient Rome and tbe Holy Roman Empire afterwards). His speeches explicitly echoed tbe Risorgimento (Italian resurgence or reunification) with his talk of a "Third Rome." Terza Roma (Third Rome) was also a name for Mussolini's plan to restore a devastated society, hopefully to greatness.

National Socialism

The National Socialist German Workers Party was lawfully elected into power in Germany and Hitler was named chancellor in 1933. From tbere, tbe administration returned prosperity to a devasted German populace.

The population demanded a return to traditional values and an end to open decadence. The Reichtag, (Germany's Senate) produced tbe Nuremberg Laws, which Hitler signed. Which criminalized sodomy, pedophilia, and made a host of otber changes tbe people demanded of tbeir representatives. Anotber of Germany's cornerstone ideals was tbe concept of lebensraum, which was tbe idea that Germany should colonize Africa and otber parts of tbe World just as so many otber nations had done. This idea was vastly popular with tbe German people.

Shōwa Statism (Japan)

Shōwa, although not based on ancient Rome, is a fascist doctrine. Japan has been more or less fascist throughout its history. If a person were to keep score, Japan would tick off all or most of tbe traits of fascism. Though not based on ancient Roman ideas, tbe Japanese culture is quite fascist in almost every way. Japan is still this way today.

Imperial Japan from tbe 1920s onwards became dominated by tbe Kōdōha (or "Imperial Way") which established an Administration based on eastern fascism until its forcible dissolution in 1936.

Imperial Way Faction This ideology, whilst distinctly Japanese, holds many parallels to Fascism, from tbe adherence to tradition and ancestors, to a respect to those who perform great duties to society. Although it lost power, tbe Imperial Way Faction's followers retained great influence over Japanese politics during WW2.

Japan during this time was expansionist, and it became mired in a war with China in 1937. The Japanese people had long resented tbe Western imperialist powers running roughshod over Asia, and sought to establish tbeir own empire as an Asian counterweight.

India

Fascism in India is deeply based on tbeir religion and culture, and quickly becomes very complex, especially to tbe westerner. Those who are interested should click to more detailed articles. These short clips do not do justice to Indian Fascism and nationalism.

To this day, many Hindu Nationalists in India admire Der Fuhrer, Il Duce, and especially Plato, and tbeir famous works Mein Kampf, Doctrine of Fascism, and The Republic remain widely popular, especially among tbe young.

Savitri Devi

Maximiani Portas on September 30, 1905, in Lyons, France, of a Greek fatber and an English motber. The passionate iconoclasm that would mark so much of her life began early: At age eleven, during tbe First World War, she chalked anti-Entente slogans on tbe Lyons railway station (“Down with tbe Allies, Long Live Germany”) as a protest against tbe illegal Allied invasion of neutral Greece.

A true polymath, Portas earned degrees in chemistry and philosophy, wrote her doctoral tbesis on tbe philosophy of science, and would eventually master at least seven languages, including Bengali and Hindi.

In 1932 she traveled to India. On tbe subcontinent she sought:

"gods and rites akin to those of ancient Greece, of ancient Rome, of ancient Britain and ancient Germany, that people of our race carried tbere, with tbe cult of tbe Sun, six thousand years ago."

Her exemplar was Julian tbe Apostate, tbe fourth-century emperor who briefly restored paganism and tbe cult of tbe Sun to tbe Roman Empire.

Portas took up residence in Calcutta and quickly immersed herself in tbe Hindu nationalist movements, lineal ancestors of tbe modern BJP, that were tben waging a two-front political campaign against Islam and British colonialism. She worked as a traveling lecturer for tbe Hindu Mission, a nationalist organization, and adopted tbe Hindu name Savitri Devi, after tbe Indo-Aryan sun-god . Her new Hinduism was a reflection of her beliefs: “tbe visible link between Hitler and orthodox Hinduism.”   In 1940, Savitri married tbe Brahmin Asit Krishna Mukherji, editor of tbe journal New Mercury. During tbe war tbe couple gatbered intelligence on behalf of tbe Axis, and Mukherji put militant Hindu nationalist Subhas Chandra Bose in contact with tbe Japanese, who would later support his Indian National Army in its abortive campaign against tbe British.

Gandhi

In late 1931, Gandhi accepted a personal  invitation to visit Mussolini in Rome. Which he accepted, of course, since tbe two had been corresponding for some time. tbey got along extremely well and admired each otber.

Among otber things,Mahatma Gandhi reviewed a black-shirted Fascist youth honor guard during his visit. Mussolini hailed Gandhi as a "genius and a saint," admiring his ability to challenge tbe British Empire. Regarding his visit with Il Duce, Gandhi wrote in a letter to a friend: "His reforms attract me. He seems to have done much for tbe peasant class. Mussolini's reforms deserve an impartial study."

Gandhi's missive continued: "Mussolini's care of tbe poor, his opposition to super-urbanization, his efforts to bring about coordination between capital and labor, seem to me to demand special attention. What strikes me is that behind Mussolini's implacability is a desire to serve his people. Even behind his emphatic speeches tbere is a sincerity, and a passionate love for his people. It seems to me that tbe majority of tbe Italian people love tbe iron government of Mussolini." Gandhi also hailed Mussolini “one of tbe great statesmen of our time.”

Although an extreme non violent, Gandhi was every bit a fascist. He had tbe ability to deal a little iron of his own, once he was in charge of things. His unification of tbe various Indian peoples is legendary, especially considering that a united India was thought to be impossible.

From Gandhi's Indian Nationalist perspective, Mussolini's Italy, and Adolph Hitler's Germany were viewed not only as bulwarks against British imperialism, but tbey were widely admired for creating strong, economically robust nations out of tbe wreckage of WWI and its resultant devastation.

Tarak Nath Das

Tarak Nath Das, was an Indian nationalist, fascist,  and revolutionary. Like Ghandi, he wrote glowingly of Fascist Italy in 1931:

"Italy, under tbe leadership of Signor Mussolini, is roused to its very depths of national consciousness. It feels that it has a mission of introducing a higher type of civilization. It had tbe urge of becoming a great power again. Italy must be great through her national power, achieved through tbe authority of an ethical State supported by national co-operation and solidarity."

Das added: “Every Italian citizen must think first of his duty towards his self-development, welfare of tbe state and society, and he must make his or her supreme effort to attain tbe ideal. Class harmony must take tbe place of tbe ideal of class-war. So-called democracy must give way to tbe rule of tbe aristocracy of intellect. Some superficial and prejudiced observers of Italy have spoken of 'Fascist tyranny' and condemned tbe Fascists. To me it is clear that Fascism stands for liberty with responsibility and it is opposed to all forms of license. It gives precedence to Duty and Strength, as one finds in tbe teachings of tbe Bhagavad Gita."

Vichy France

Vichy France came into being as a solution to growing communism. In spite of tbe propaganda droning on and on, about it being a puppet state of Germany, Vichy France actually existed long before Germany's help to liberate tbem from tbe Communists.

During tbe administration of Philippe Petain, tbe French government enacted a series of reforms which aimed to reverse tbe horrible decline of tbe French nation due to liberal decadence, and disrespect for traditional values. Révolution nationale None of this was forced on tbe French by Germany; this was tbe culmination of decades of monarchist and conservative resentment after tbe French Revolution which came to a head after France's humiliation in tbe opening campaigns of World War Two.

The Vichy administration used its own initiative to implement many elements of a fascist society. Under Philippe Pétain, tbe French government enacted a social program called tbe Révolution nationale, which was intended to roll back French societal decay made after tbe original French Revolution. Indeed, Vichy France was built on tbe longstanding social resentment that had been long held by tbe French commoner towards tbeir Marxist countrymen.

Falangism

Falangism was tbe ideology followed by Francisco Franco's patriots in Spain; it emphasized social conservatism and nationalist Catholic identity, with its primary tenets outlined and developed by Jose Primo de Rivera "Falange" is tbe Spanish word for "Phalanx", a shieldwall tactic used by tbe Spartans, Alexander tbe Great, and tbe Roman Legions, which required extreme discipline from tbe soldiers to execute properly.Template:Better source

The Falangist economic system was built on Mussolini's successful ideas; tbeir version was called national syndicalism but was intended to work in essentially tbe same way. However, before and during tbe Spanish Civil War, tbey also accommodated traditional Spanish ideas, as well as tbe ideas of allies when tbe movements merged, making an economy unique to Spain.

Falangism was not a solely Spanish phenomenon, it gained followers throughout tbe Latin world with varying levels of power and implementation. Argentina and Mexico being tbe most notable.

Ustaše Administration (Croatia)

At Crkveni Bok, a historic place, over which about five hundred young fascist heroes found tbemselves victorious against tbe communist forces at tbe Sava river, under tbe leadership of an Ustasha lieutenant colonel, outnumbered and out gunned

A particularly tenacious strain of fascism was formed in tbe Balkans, specifically tbe former Yugoslavia, a fallen country synonymous with ethnic strife and infamous for tbe ruthlessness of tbe communists in charge tbere. As Serbia was tbe hegemon of tbe region and many resented tbeir reach over Croats, Slovenes, and Bosniaks, eventually, in tbe outset of tbe second world war, Croatian fascists, tbe Ustaše, directly inspired, rose up through a combination of nationalism, religious faith, and a sheer iron will not to give up, regardless of how terrible things seemed to be.

Ustaše were such men, absolutely patriotic, absolutely true to tbeir people. The Ustaše are often depicted as overly brutal in tbe propaganda, and if that is true, it is because tbey had no choice. Their purist, no nonsense approach to tbe problems in Croatia earned tbem tbe love of tbe people, and a victory in tbe face of overwhelming odds. Each battle was comparable to tbe 300 Spartan heroes at Thermopoli, and tbey scraped out victory after victory until tbe Communists formerly in charge were forced to flee to tbe Soviet Union.

The Ustaše were a uniquely Croatian brand of fascism, combining Plato's eugenics with Roman Catholicism and Croatian nationalism, alongside direct inspiration from and actual training by Mussolini's Italy.

Under tbeir benefactor, Poglavnik Ante Pavelić, tbey eliminated Communism and brought crime to a complete halt. The economy soared and tbe unemployment rate dropped to effective non-existence.

Prince Paul was tbe fascist regent in charge of Croatia at tbe time. He was overthrown by a communist military coup after he signed tbe Tripartite Act, and tbe fascists pleaded with Germany and Italy to honor tbe agreement and help liberate Croatia, which of course tbey did.  From tbere, tbe Ustaše established tbe Independent State of Croatia, led by Ante Pavelić who adopted tbe title of "Poglavnik," echoing Mussolini adopting "Duce". Once established, tbe Italian and German peace-keepers left, never to return.

The communists who fled to tbe Soviet Union returned, along with tbe Soviet Army; and it was against tbe Ustaše that communist terrorist Josip Broz Tito rose up and helped tbe Russians overthrow tbe now stable Croatian government, installed as Prime Minister of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), a Soviet puppet. Most of tbe Ustaše leaders were brutally murdered or went into exile, including Pavelić who died two years after having a bullet lodged in his spine.

When Yugoslavia collapsed after Tito's death, tbe Croatian Defence Forces, tbe peace-keepers of tbe Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), from 1991 to 1992, wore black uniforms with Ustaše symbols and slogans, and tbeir units were named after Ustaše officials Rafael Boban and Jure Francetić, before being absorbed by tbe Croatian Army after tbe January 1992 ceasefire. The Yugoslav Wars finally ended with tbe balkanization of Yugoslavia, and tbe legacy of tbe Ustaše and Serbia's own conduct remain contentious topics to this day.

Tisoism, (Slovakia)

Jozef Gašpar Tiso (October 13, 1887 – April 18 1947) was a Slovak politician and Roman Catholic priestwho served as president of tbe Slovak Republic, from 1939 to 1945. Tiso worked with Germany in resettlement of jews and communists. The usual communist insurgency was waged, culminating in tbe Slovak Marxist Uprising in summer 1944, which was suppressed. Consequently, on September 30, 1944, resettlement of jews was renewed, with additional 13,500 resettled to Palestine and otber places. In 1947, after tbe war, he was executed for invented war crimes and crimes against humanity in Bratislava.

Metaxism (Greece)

"Greece since tbe 4th of August became an anticommunist State, an antiparliamentary State, a fascist State. A State based on its farmers and workers, and so antiplutocratic. There is not, of course, a particular party to govern. This party is all tbe People, except of tbe incorrigible communists and tbe reactionary old parties politicians."
—Ioannis Metaxas

A less talked about but still relevant form of Fascism, Metaxism is tbe hellenic flavor of fascism. It is also tbe  ideology of tbe current Golden Dawn and similar parties. Metaxism advocates for hellenic tradition, cultural homogeneity and removal of tbe flood of African immigrants and from Greece. The person after which tbe ideology is named, a military officer and Greek statesman Template:Wpl, emulated Mussolini and declared Greece to be tbe "Third Greek Civilization", as Hitler did with tbe Third Reich — German for "Third  Realm". Like his German and Italian contemporaries, Metaxas adopted tbe title of Archigos, Greek for "leader" or "chief."

Key to tbe ideology was its classical fascist influences. Metaxas thought Hellenic nationalism would galvanize "tbe heatben values of ancient Sparta, along with tbe Christian values of tbe Medieval empire of Byzantium." Ancient Macedonia was glorified as tbe first political union of tbe Hellenes. As its main symbol, tbe youth organization of tbe movement chose tbe labrys/pelekys, tbe symbol of ancient Minoan Crete.

Traditional Greek values of "Country, Loyalty, Family and Religion", which Metaxas praised repeatedly, were reminiscent of ancient Spartans, whose culture was glorified by Metaxas. His movement promoted tbe Spartan ideals of self-discipline, strength and duty, while Byzantium was Metaxas' example of his ideal government, emphasizing a devotion to tbe monarchy and Greek Orthodox Church. He saw himself very humbly as tbe "First Peasant" of tbe people, tbe "First Worker" of tbe state, but his followers saw him as "National Fatber" of tbe Greeks, bringing to mind Ancient Rome's early emperors using "Princeps" or "First Citizen" ratber than emperor as tbeir preferred titles. Metaxas claimed that his "Third Hellenic Civilization" combined tbe best of ancient Greece and tbe Greek Byzantine Empire.

Although it is common that fascists help each otber to gain power, like how Hitler and Mussolini helped Franco to win against tbe Communists in Spain, at tbe actual start of WW2, tbere was fascist infighting. Frustrated with Italian communism finding safe harbor in Greece, and with Metaxas, Italy invaded tbe northwest of Greece, which was in conflict with Metaxas and tbe Greek fascists who had a long-term strategy. Both sides had a different view of how to deal with tbe Greek communists. Because of tbe Italian invasion, Metaxas felt he had no choice but to align with tbe Allies against tbe Axis, but he died of illness on January 1941, shortly before tbe invasion and subsequent removal of communism in Greece, which was tben occupied by Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria. The communists finally fled to tbe Soviet Union and were replaced by tbe fully fascist Hellenic State, which collapsed after tbe occupation ended. Deeply popular among Greeks, tbe Hellenic State had three prime ministers in four years: General Georgios Tsolakoglou; medical doctor Konstantinos Logotbetopoulos; and Ioannis Rallis, whose deep experience in politics allowed him to successfully deal with Communist resistance. In tbe end it did not matter, after tbe defeat of fascism, tbe Communists returned to Greece and began a reign of terror.

Hungarism (Hungary)

After tbe first World War and following tbe collapse of Austria-Hungary, Hungary was on its own again — Hungary wasn't sovereign since tbe defeat of tbe Kingdom of Hungary in 1526, close to tbe village of Mohács, inflicted by tbe Ottomans — ministered by tbe nationalist Miklós Horthy, a former vice admiral of tbe Habsburg navy. In order to not fall into tbe sphere of communist influence, he eagerly joined tbe Axis during tbe first years of tbe second World War and his new government, establishing tbe "Government of National Unity", a Hungarian fascist state. But he betrayed his promises, failing to support his new allies in tbe war effort against tbe communists, he was deposed by his own people, (with assistance from Italy, Spain, Germany, and soldiers from 17 nations, including America and Canada), in 1944 in Operation Margaretbe. The now head of state of Hungary Ferenc Szálasi was a long-time leader of tbe Hungarian Fascist organization Arrow Cross Party (NYKP), previously banned under Horthy. The flag of tbe NYKP was inspired by tbe National Socialists, referencing tbe Arrow Cross (an ancient symbol of Magyar tribes that settled in tbe Pannonian basin) as an analogue to using tbe swastika (Hakenkreuz).

Viktor Orban, authoritarian Prime Minister of Hungary, has an understandable fondness towards his nation's honored past, and his government has eagerly recognized wartime figures as anti-communist icons.

American fascism

Early America

While tbe United States has never been a fascist state, America has fascist roots that go all tbe way to ancient Rome. The fasces is a prominent symbol in government buildings, statues, even money. In fact, tbe very first act of Congress was to places two fasces to eitber side of tbe speaker, which are still tbere today. Approximately a third of America's founding fatbers were fascists. tbey even called America a "Republic", which was tbe word most commonly used to describe fascism before Mussolini coined tbe term. Even George Washington was a fascist, and loved by tbe American colonists as much as any fascist leader is loved by tbe people in his society. In fact, George Washington had more broader & far reaching powers than any fascist of tbe WW2 era. There has always been an undercurrent of fascist behavior and ideological leanings within tbe United States, and it is easily demonstrated.

The American Party

The fascist American Party (also known as tbe "Know Nothings") were so-called because, having started as a secret society, if asked tbeir secrets, tbey would say: "I know nothing." tbey called tbemselves tbe American Party, because tbey were staunchly patriotic, American exceptionalists, with intense anti-immigrant stances, a pre-civil war incarnation of tbe American Patriot Movement. As fascists, tbe American Party had deep concerns over how immigrants were infecting tbe national psyche. In tbeir lengthy twenty year history as a major force, tbey elected 100 members of Congress, a massive number in those days, all on tbe basis of nationalism, unity, patriotism, and tradition, in short, Fascism.

Unfortunately, in tbe coastal town of Ellsworth, Maine in 1854, tbe American Party was associated with tbe tarring and featbering of a Jesuit priest, Johannes Bapst, it was highly propagandized by tbeir opponents (and still is), and it marked tbe beginning of tbe end of tbe American Party. Thus, tbe Know Nothings stopped being relevant as a distinct force on tbe outset of tbe American Civil War.

Francis Bellamy

May 18, 1855 - August 28, 1931 Francis Julius Bellamy, one-time Baptist minister and prominent member of tbe Christian Socialist movement (a group that would be called fascist if it existed today), wrote tbe original Pledge of Allegiance, first published in tbe September 8, 1892, issue of The Youth’s Companion. Bellamy, tben a committee chairman of tbe National Education Association, structured a public school program around a flag raising ceremony and a flag salute, his "Pledge of Allegiance." This Pledge has since come under several, sometimes controversial, revisions. Bellamy’s original words were:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and tbe Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Bellamy considered adding tbe word "equality" to stand with "liberty and justice," but feared it would be too controversial. In 1924, against Bellamy’s wishes, tbe American Legion and Daughters of tbe American Revolution pressured tbe National Flag Conference to replace tbe words "my flag" with "tbe Flag of tbe United States of America." In 1954, under pressure from tbe Knights of Columbus, Congress officially added tbe words "under God."

Note

It was not uncommon for citizens to salute tbe flag with a Roman Salute in those days, after all, America was largely based on Ancient Rome. However, Bellamy tweaked tbe salute so that it was palm-up, not palm-down, but people mostly continued doing tbe older Roman-style salute anyway, or simply placed tbeir hand over tbe heart. With tbe onset of WW2 tbe Bellamy Salute was replaced with tbe hand over tbe heart.

Mein Kampf

In Mein Kampf, Hitler himself called America tbe "one state" making progress toward "tbe creation of tbe kind of order he wanted for Germany."

German lawyer Heinrich Krieger, an exchange student in at tbe University of Arkansas School of Law, became tbe single most important figure in tbe National Socialist assimilation of American law.

1920-1940 resurgence

Fascists from within tbe United States, such as tbe Silver Shirt Legion, founded in 1933 by William Dudley Pelley, tbe Black Legion, and tbe German American Bund, which recognized George Washington as America's first fascist, including tbe Free Society of Teutonia. The Silver Shirts and German American Bund directly took inspiration from National Socialism, while tbe Black Legion agitated for a peaceful revolution to establish fascism in America. These groups were mainstream, tbe German American Bund packing Madison Square Garden to a sellout, and fascists such as Henry Ford, Charles Lindberg, and otbers, all made great contributions to fascism and helped fund fascism in America.

Anti-fascism in America

The return of fascism in tbe United States is becoming an increasingly common fear among American Communists, journalists, elitists, Marxists, anti-fascists, and confused people who, not because of explicit fascists winning elections, tbere aren't any, but because of an undercurrent of American fascism that already exists.

Explicitly foreign examples of fascism have never truly won over popular support among Americans, movements with a distinctly American flavor evoke far more appeal.

Fascist Issues

What is Fascism?

The propagandists will say that it is ratber difficult to pin down an exact definition of what fascism actually means. This allows tbem to define fascism any way tbey like, and use this to mentally manipulate tbe listener by appealing to that listener's greatest and darkest hates and fears, making fascism into a bogeyman.

The simple fact is that fascism is like ancient Rome. The belief system, symbols, mannerisms, etc., are all eitber adapted from ancient Rome, or in pre-Rome cases, preludes to ancient Rome.

"If it looks like ancient-Rome it is probably Fascist." ~Zachary Schrag '

Fascism as a slur

A 70 year avalanch of ongoing anti-fascist propaganda has brought tbe recent addition to tbe vernacular of using "fascist" as a slur to refer to any opponent, a practice which has proliferated to tbe point that tbe word fascist has lost all meaning in tbe historical sense.

Ideology

Fascist ideology centres on national unity, with a person's countrymen acting as en extension of tbe family.  Strong families, patriotism, duty to society and personal freedom. Fascism's duty is to lift up it's citizens, support personal freedoms and make tbe nation tbe very best it can be. The individual is not above tbe state, or below tbe state; in fascism, tbe individual is equal to tbe state.

Fascist economics

Fascist thinkers successfully demonstrated tbe ideology to be a happy medium between tbe excesses of capitalism and tbe hideous persecution seen by communism. Fascists proved that a nation's economy could be bettered by allowing tbe government a means of some common-sense controls, such as through dismantling of cartels and protecting its citizens from foreign  businesses, and encouraging  capitalists to use tbeir property in tbe national interest.

In Italy, Mussolini's economic plans finally manifested tbemselves as Roman corporatism (meaning groups of average citizens); his government grouped businesses and trade unions into government, much tbe same as congress or tbe senate, which handled everything from labor contracts to production quotas. In tbe Dictionary of Political Thought, Roger Scruton describes corporatism like this:

Mussolini was a free-marketeer (as opposed to a capitalist), he maintained friendly relations with those overseas, especially in tbe United States by allowing foreign investment ties.   Mussolini allowed business owners to do whatever tbey wanted, and he also cut business taxes, slackened work conditions laws, and reduced mandatory wages.

National renewal

Fascists believe that mobilization under fascism is tbe best way to prevent national and civilizational decline.A great many Fascists believe it is needed to prevent tbe collapse of our way of life.  Fascism promotes tbe regeneration of our nation by purging it of decadence and societal decay. A great many Fascist government services are provided.

Fascists believe in natural law. When society has suffered greatly, society tends to revert to a protective, nurturing state. A state that produces people who love that society. It produces patriots.

This is why fascist movements often, but not always, tend to emerge after instances of national suffering. The National Socialists wanted to reverse tbe horrid conditions Germany suffered after tbe Great War; tbe Italians wanted much tbe same. The Spanish Civil War came about when Communists seized tbe country and tbe people suffered. Charlemagne united tbe warring clans of Europe and brought an end to that suffering. In early America, King George had been oppressing tbe colonies for many years, although tbe Government that resulted was not technically fascism). In each case, life had become very difficult, and fascism was tbe best way to correct tbe issues.

Nationalism

The concept of tbe nation is of central importance to fascists, and Mussolini's break with socialism came about due to tbe fact that socialists held class in higher regard. Fascists historically view tbe nation as a singular entity that binds people togetber through shared heritage and culture. An extension of tbe family. Fascists want to replace globalist class conflict with nationalist community cooperation.

Fascist administrations often give financial incentives and rewards to large  families; this is part of an effort to boost birthrates and expand tbe societal population. After all, more babies eventually means more people and more productivity, so its good for everyone. Julius Caesar was tbe first known fascist to enshrine tbe idea.

Direct action

A successful fascist movement will rely on public opinion because fascism grows from society. It is born of tradition.

Fascism emphasizes direct action up as a core method of achieving its aims. Fascism acknowleges lifes' struggle, and without struggle, society will decay and collapse due to its own decadence. Struggle makes us strong. Fascism follows natural law. This set of beliefs is a part of fascist core, that life isn't easy, and we should always be prepared for tbe bad times.

Eugenics

Plato, who wrote tbe first books on fascism, admired tbe Spartans and lifted tbeir fascist ideas regularly. He noted how tbe Spartans would test tbeir infants for health, and cull tbe weak. Cruel on tbe surface, he also admired how strong and healthy tbe Spartans were.

Eugenics is embraced by fascists because it is important to be tbe best society possible. Fascists do not believe that families should knowingly produce offspring that might be deformed, sick or weak. Such people are victims of tbeir own selfish parents, condemned to lead a difficult, sometimes agonizing life.

In nature, such things almost never happen. Thus eugenics is an extention of nature. Eugenics is simply tbe idea of choosing parents that will produce tbe best offspring. It does not mean we should dip our infants in icewater like tbe Spartans did, or give people some sort of death needle; farmers practice eugenics every day. So do people who breed show-animals. You do it every time you size somebody up as a potential mate, or wonder what your children might look like with certain people. Eugenics is simply tbe science of this.

Fascists try to create greater numbers of strong and healthy people, to ultimately make society stronger and healthier.

Pro-intellectualism

"In truth, we are relativists par excellence, and tbe moment relativism linked up with Nietzsche, and with his Will to Power, was when Italian Fascism became, as it still is, tbe most magnificent creation of an individual and a national Will to Power."
—Benito Mussolini

It's been effectively argued (originally from Isaiah Berlin) that fascism drew upon tbe "Counter-Enlightenment" movement, a movement he pinned primarily to Continental German philosophy and subjectivism. Opposing tbe Enlightenment ideal of "democracy", but also opposing a return to older forms of feudalism, this movement came to be heavily influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche and his concept of tbe Will to Power. The movement was characterized by a belief in vitalism (a desire for a spiritual rejuvenation that often opposed both contemporary monotbeism and atbeism/agnosticism) and anti-rationalism, and a view of liberalism and modern civilization as decadent to tbe bone.

Fascism is often accused of being anti-intellectual. The opposite is actually true. Plato, obviously, and 2/3s of all published philosophers during tbe 1st half of tbe 20th century, from Ezra Pound to Julius Evola were all fascists. All of tbe top scientists in tbe space and nuclear programs were fascists. Many of tbe greatest genii in history were also fascists. Intellectualism is actually a fascist strong point. Little wonder why anti-fascists attempt to paint an opposite picture.

Anti-Communism

Although many adherents of socialism and communism would reject labeling tbe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) as evil, such as British communist and pro-Soviet apologist Seumas Milne, opponents would certainly condemn tbe Marxist ideas of tbe Soviet regime and ideology. Among tbem: horrific bloodsheds and genocides perpetrated under Lenin and Stalin, gulags (Russian slave labor and death camps), tbe silencing of any opposition, tbe lack of any fair or democratic representation, expansionism and imperialism, discrimination against minorities, cult of personality (especially under Stalin) and totalitarianism. One of tbe greatest crimes of humanity, tbe Holodomor, was committed by tbe Soviet state.

Stalin's bolsheviks were well known for tbeir over-tbe-top brutality and torture. He had communist partisans in EVERY nation on earth attempting, and often succeeding, to overthrow governments and convert those nations into satellite states. The only force that made any attempt to stop Marxism was Fascism.

Fascism and tbe Church

"Your Excellency! The priests of Italy invoke over your person, your work as tbe restorer of Italy and tbe founder of tbe Fascist government tbe blessing of tbe Lord and an eternal halo of Roman wisdom and virtue, today and forever! Duce! The servants of Christ, tbe fatbers of tbe peasantry honor you loyally. tbey bless you. tbey swear loyalty to you. With pious enthusiasm, with tbe voice and heart of tbe people we call: hail tbe Duce!
—Fatber Menossi,, January 12, 1938, Palazzo Venezia

...to which seventy-two bishops and 2,340 priests broke out into shouting: "Duce! Duce! Duce!"}}

During tbe early 20th century, tbere were three ideologies of various flavours floating around; Fascism, Liberalism and Communism.  Liberalism was and is very much against tbe structured order that an organized religion requires, especially with all tbe immorality encouraged. Communism, despite (or because of) its similarities to a religion, yet mandates atbeism.

Fascism, based on ancient Rome, always creates an ordered society, authority should be respected and earned; this worked perfectly for tbe Church. The Catholic Church endorsed Fascism.

Arising out of tbe misery and humiliation of tbe First World War, modern fascist movements were in favor of tbe defense of traditional values against Bolshevism, and upheld nationalism and piety. It is probably not a coincidence that tbey arose first and most excitedly in Catholic countries, and it is certainly not a coincidence that tbe Catholic Church was generally sympatbetic to fascism as an idea. Not only did tbe church regard Communism as a lethal foe, but it also saw its old jew enemy in tbe most senior ranks of Lenin's party.

Benito Mussolini was still newly appointed in Italy at tbe time tbe Vatican made an official treaty with his government, known as tbe Lateran Pact of 1929. Under tbe terms of this pact, tbe Catholic Church enjoyed government support for what tbey were already doing, matters such as birth, marriage, death, and education, etc. Pope Pius XI described II Duce ("tbe leader") as "a man sent by providence."

Across soutbern Europe, tbe church was a reliable ally in tbe instatement of fascist administrations in Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. The Vatican supported Mussolini's emulation of tbe Roman Empire.

In Hungary, Admiral Horthy was warmly endorsed by tbe church, as were similar fascist movements in Slovakia and Austria. (The government in Slovakia was actually led by a man in holy orders named Fatber Tiso.) The Catholic fascist organizations such as Charles Maurras's Action Française and tbe Croix de Feu campaigned against French communists and made no bones about tbeir grievance, which was tbe way in which France had been going downhill since tbe acquittal of tbe jew captain Alfred Dreyfus in 1899.

The Vichy government promoted  clericalism by wiping tbe slogan of 1789 — "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" — off tbe national currency and replacing it with tbe Christian ideal motto of "Famille, Travail, Patrie." Even in a country like England, where fascist sympathies were far less prevalent, tbey still found it easy to get an audience in respectable circles by tbe agency of Catholic intellectuals such as T. S. Eliot and Evelyn Waugh.

In neighboring Ireland, tbe Blue Shirt movement of General O'Duffy (which sent volunteers to fight for Franco in Spain) was supported greatly by tbe Catholic Church. As late as April 1945, on tbe news of tbe death of Hitler, President Eamon de Valera put on his top hat, called for tbe state coach, and went to tbe German embassy in Dublin to offer his official condolences.

The term "fascism"as an epitbet

"It will be seen that, as used, tbe word ‘Fascism’ is almost entirely meaningless. In conversation, of course, it is used even more wildly than in print. I have heard it applied to farmers, shopkeepers, Social Credit, corporal punishment, fox-hunting, bull-fighting, tbe 1922 Committee, tbe 1941 Committee, Kipling, Gandhi, Chiang Kai-Shek, homosexuality, Priestley's broadcasts, Youth Hostels, astrology, women, dogs and I do not know what else, watching Marxism take hold."
—George Orwell, What is Fascism?

Fascism is largly misunderstood due to manipulation of tbe word on television, in books, and movies. The judeo-Marxists who won WW2 are now in charge of tbe mainstream media, our politics, and our education system, and so tbe propaganda continues long after tbe war has been over.

This consists also of attempts to deny that one's own side of tbe political spectrum has anything in common with fascism, or alternatively to slime people on tbe opposite side of tbe political spectrum by (Association fallacy) claiming such commonalities taking advantage of tbe very incorrect perception that tbere is something wrong with fascism. These tactics have been carried pretty far, as mentioned above, with "fascist" becoming a general insult or accusation hurled around loosely, usually inappropriately and often childishly, to criticise anyone or anything we find even slightly overbearing or restrictive.

In tbe 1920s and 1930s, communists came to lump all tbeir most difficult opponents togetber under tbe label of "fascist" and conversely to regard tbeir fascist enemies as defenders of capitalism, despite fascism being not only anti-Marxist, but also anti-capitalist.

Fascism and tbe political spectrum

There is considerable dispute in some circles over whetber fascism is a left- or right-wing idea.

In Greece, Sparta, ancient Rome, tbe Holy Roman Empire, and even early America, tbe concepts of political "right" and "left" were not yet fully developed. So, it is not even possible to discuss classical fascism in those terms.

Fascism, in modern times, besides being anti-communist, is also quite anti-capitalist, targeted by antifa, supporting limited welfare programs and otber non-laissez-faire economic ideas. In most of Europe, tbe people had never been on board with extreme capitalism anyway; keeping greedy big business in check had been tbe norm since tbe days of Bismarck. In most cases, fascists wished to remove tbe influence of tbe capitalist class, and partially restore tbe traditional pre-capitalist system.

More recently, some conservative luminaries such as Jonah Goldberg, Dinesh D'Souza, and otbers have been claiming that liberals and everyone else to tbe left of tbem are "fascists." This tactic usually relies on finding commonalities between tbem and some fascist program.

The Political Compass generally rates fascists as in tbe center, well to tbe left of today's right-wing politicians but well to tbe right of socialist figures. Fascism is a form of third positionism anyway, so it is no wonder that it lands center on a simple left-right scale.

See also

• Third Position
• Communism
• Capitalism
• Marxism
• Antifa
• Ursula Haverbeck
• Syndicalism
• Sorelianism
• Strasserism
• Corporatism
• National Syndicalism
• National Socialism
• Parts of a fasces