What did the term Fascism stand for?

The term ‘fascist’ was later applied to other rules and rulers like Hitler (Germany), Franco (Spain), Salazar (Portugal) and Peron (Argentina). These were sometimes quite different from the Italian rule. Since there was no great theoretical writer during this age who would have explained the philosophies clearly in the way that Karl Marx had did for Communism. Mussolini had been frequently changing his policies and aims before 1923 which suggested that his main aim was to acquire power. Some of the basic principles of Fascism can be listed as follows:

• Extreme Nationalism: Emphasis on the re-birth of the Nation after a period of decline and also establishing that one’s own Nation is superior to all.

• A totalitarian system of Government: In this the Government attempted to arouse and mobilize the ordinary people and to organize them with strong disciplinary measures and to control as many aspects of human life as possible. According to the ‘fascists’, this was necessary in order to promote the interest of the State.

• A one party state was essential: there was no place for democracy and especially communism. The fascist party members were the elite class of the Nation and the leader would win mass support thrilling speeches.

• Importance of economic self-sufficiency (autarchy): This was required in order to develop the greatness of the state.

• Military strength and violence: This was an integral part of the way of life in fascism. Mussolini himself remarked, ‘Peace is absurd: fascism does not believe in it’.

What benefits did Fascism bring for the Italians?

What mattered to the people was that whether the rule was beneficial to them or not.

a) A promising beginning

The major portion of the fascist policy was concerned with the economy of the state. There was need