PI 2004

1
PI 2004

• Fascism
• Lecture 2

2
Fascism a tricky ideology

• Lacking in coherence
• Many fascist ideas are not exclusive to fascism
• Fascist movements and parties often hide their
  intentions
• Fascism is a very emotive concept leaves no one
  indifferent
• Distinction between ideological theory and
  political practice

3
Ingredients in fascist ideology

1. Nationalism. Palingenetic nationalism (rebirth of
   the nation) sometimes used as definition of
   fascism
2. Organic perspective. The nation is a natural
   creation, like the human body
3. Racism. Central in National Socialism, less so
   (but not absent) in Italian fascism

4
Ingredients in fascist ideology

1. Authoritarianism. Little regard for human rights
   or liberties
2. Anti-democracy. Fascists believe that democracy
   and pluralism will split nation
3. Leadership cult. Leader represents the destiny of
   the nation
4. Strong state. No independent civil service or
   legal system

5
Ingredients in fascist ideology

1. Anti-Marxism because Marxism advocates class
   struggle, and is internationalist
2. Anti-capitalism because it creates class
   divisions
3. Corporatism parliament not based on parties,
   but on sectors of the economy
4. Anti-intellectualism
5. Favours direct action

6
Corporatism

• Fascist version
• The organisation of public life according to
  different economic sectors of society. Parliament
  based on corporations, not class-based parties.
  Based on belief that employers and workers in the
  same sectors share the same interests.
  Similarities with old guild system. Italy set up
  22 corporations in 1927
• Modern, liberal, version (neo-corporatism)
• Institutionalised role for interest group in
  policy-making. Trade unions and business
  organisations negotiate directly with
  governments, and participate in law-making (e.g.
  in commissions of inquiry). Significant in
  Scandinavia, Austria and pre-1979 Britain (Beer
  and sandwiches at no. 10)

7
Fascists are FOR

• Nationalism
• Corporatism
• Authoritarianism
• Personal leadership
• Direct action
• Racism

8
Fascists are AGAINST

• Democracy, parliamentarism
• Marxism
• Liberalism
• Capitalism
• Individualism
• Intellectualism

9
Is Fascism left or right?

• Left
• Collectivist (but different collective unit
  compared to socialists)
• Anti-capitalist rhetoric
• Use of the word socialism
• Right
• Nationalist
• Not egalitarian
• Formed alliances with the right, and private
  business

10
Differences (German) National socialism
(Italian) fascism

• Fascism more emphasis on corporatism
• Racism more fundamental in national socialism
• Fascism not (as) antisemitic