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fascism

(20th century)

Named after Italian Fascist Party of Benito Mussolini (1883-1945).

Advocacy of deferential national unity under a leader, without the liberal or democratic forms of politics and government which are regarded as an obstacle to the implementation of the national will. Ordinary people, rather than being democratic citizens, are to be organized in corporations according to the contribution they make to national well-being.

The Latin 'fasces', a bound bundle of rods, symbolized strength through unity.

Source:
Walter Laqueur, ed., Fascism: A Reader's Guide; Analysis, Interpretations, Bibliography (Har-mondsworth, 1979)

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