Fascism

Fascism is an ideology based on action rather than thought. Therefore, the experiences of fascism in different countries have emerged with various practices.

In Italy and Germany, the conditions for the emergence and development of Fascism and National Socialism were quite similar. Indeed, there is an important parallel between the positions of Italy and Germany in modern world history. Neither Italy nor Germany could catch up with the wave of industrialization and economic development that other great European states such as England and France were going through. England and France experienced industrialization and colonialism simultaneously. While both countries have developed economically, they also achieved national unity. On the other hand, Italy and Germany were not only lagging behind in the industrialization process, but also achieved their national unity late. Likewise, these two countries stayed away from colonial wars. This situation caused Italy and Germany to become weaker than England and France, both economically and in terms of political influence. Italy and Germany spent the 19th century trying to compensate for their losses. In the same years, rising nationalist movements all over the world also heavily affected Italy and Germany. However, the ideology of nationalism emerged with an aggressive nature in both countries.

The harsh conditions imposed on the defeated Germany through the Treaty of Versailles caused a wide reaction in German society. The Allied powers claimed that all responsibility for the war belonged to Germany. Therefore, it was decided that Germany would be subjected to severe punishment. With the Treaty of Versailles, approximately 15% of Germany’s territory was taken away. The quantity of the German army was reduced to 100 thousand soldiers. It was decided that Germany would pay a compensation of 269 billion gold marks (approximately 37 billion dollars) to the victorious states. Although Italy was among the victorious states, its gains were quite limited compared to England and France. With the Treaty of Versailles, the territories of the defeated states were shared among the victorious countries. However, a limited amount of land was given to Italy. Failure to achieve the expected result of the war created great dissatisfaction among Italian nationalists.

Fascio takes its name from an ax called fasces, which was used in Roman times and was formed by connecting many sticks together. The implication of the concept is that a stick alone would be very weak and impotent, but if combined they would become powerful. However, uniting the sticks is not enough. In addition, this set of sticks must be completed with a cutting tool and become a weapon. This will create a cutting axe. The blade at the end of the ax actually symbolizes the leader figure.

When the war ended, most of the fascios across the country were dispersed. However, Mussolini controlled to keep the militants loyal to him together. Mussolini first expanded the fascist organization on a national scale and entered active politics by establishing the National Fascist Party in 1921.

Fascism arose from approaches opposing Enlightenment thought and liberalism. During the Enlightenment period, universalist and humanist approaches dominated. Concepts such as equality, freedom, peace and tolerance came to the fore. During this period, rational thought dominated. According to Enlightenment thought, people make decisions rationally and use their minds to understand what is good and right for themselves. In contrast, anti-Enlightenment traditions are based on the assumption that the world is actually based on competition.

According to Social Darwinists, just as the strongest survive in nature, the same applies to societies. They think that hereditarily superior races will last longer in the world. […] Therefore, nations that want to survive have the right to gain superiority over others and to resort to warlike methods when necessary.

Fascism accepts the state as the essential reality of the individual. Apart from the state, individuals as well as groups, political parties, associations, unions and classes are not considered a subject. […] He thought that it could not have any value or purpose outside the state.

War, not peace, is needed for the ideal of a strong state. According to fascists, war unleashes the energy within societies. Therefore, as soon as Mussolini came to power, he began preparations for war.

Through the concept, it was argued that Germany’s current geographical size was less than the demographic needs of the country. […] Lebensraum explained that more land was needed for the state to grow. In order to spread over a larger area, the lands held by different countries had to be invaded.

The most important difference between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes is that the latter has an official ideology.

The process of placing the official ideology into social consciousness is called indoctrination. The regime imposes its principles on society at large through indoctrination. This process starts from early childhood.

The fascist model that opposes both capitalism and socialism is called corporatism. Corporatism is actually a model that includes social hierarchy. […] A person also participates in politics through the guild he is a member of.

National socialism adopted a will to revive not the “political body” of liberal theory, but the Volkskörper, that is, the “ethnic body”, conceived as a living organism that transcends the plane of individual mortality.

First of all, Jews in high-level positions were removed from their positions, and the properties of the rich were confiscated. […] Finally, they were taken to concentration camps and killed in gas chambers

Elite theorists such as Mosca, Pareto and Michels argue that all societies are actually governed by a small minority. […] Therefore, in order for societies to survive, they must unquestioningly obey the authority of the leader.

The Reichskulturkammer (Reich Chamber of Culture) was established under the Ministry of Propaganda. Various aspects of cultural life, such as film, radio, newspapers, fine arts, music, theater and literature, were supervised by the Reichskulturkammer.

This process begins at a very early age. Children starting primary school and even in preschool period are indoctrinated with the official ideology in a way they can understand, for example through songs, games or pictures. In later ages, the indoctrination process continues through new methods.

The most important purpose of indoctrination is to make people adopt the values and principles of the regime. The fascist regime already ensures that people obey its authority through force and oppression and does not allow opposition. However, through indoctrination, this obedience is also intended to occur voluntarily.

Rising xenophobia renders concepts such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which Western societies have long defended meaninglessly. […] Foreigners, in particular, are criminalized and shown as potential criminals.