Fascism

1. Intro: Fascism is derived from the word Fascio which means a bundle of rods, symbolising discipline, unity and strength. During the second world war it meant all those who bound themselves together to “live and die for the good of Italy.”
2. The first fascio was set up with Mussolini as its leader. He further stressed that if 19th century was the age of socialism, liberalism and democracy, the 20th century is to be a century of authority, collectivism and the totalitarian state
3. It is not a systematic school of thought but based on ideas of various thinkers-

• Inspirations:

Plato- theory of philosopher king—> absolute obedience. No rights of citizens but only duties.	Mac- everything is justified in , national interest (raison d'etat ).	Hegel- state is the March of God on Earth.
Hobbes- powerful state(Leviathan) to curb anarchy	Rousseau- man must be forced to be free.	Henri bergson- Concept of vitality to ignore reason over passions.

• Causes of fascism

1: Ortega gasset -book- revolt of masses- defined mobocracy in detail. If democracy is introduced without democratic culture leads to fascism ( similar to what Mill had said).

2: by ernst nolte - democracy introduced after WW1 without democratic culture.

3: concept of fear of freedom by Eric fromm ( people don't want freedom but order and security and elect someone who can provide this)

4:

Sen Argues that people prefer an authoritarian govt that provides access to basic necessities of life more than a democratic govt that fails to reduce poverty.

• Features of fascism:

1. Anti rationalism- suggets to abandon reason and motivates people on the basis of emotions. It facilitated indiscriminate use of myths as mass propaganda .
2. Totalitarianism- totalitarian organisation of government and society by a single party dictatorship. Fascist state can make any demand, give any order, and require absolute and all encompassing individuals obligations without any opposition
3. No rights or liberties. Complete censorship. People should sacrifice themselves at the altar of state. 
4. State ruled by small section of elites called junta.
5. Economic system- Fascism comes to rescue of capitalism. Believes in protectionism and not in international trade
6. Anti- democracy: Mussolini said democracy is a luxury of rich nations and called parliament a talking shop.
7. Elitism- radically rejects equality and is deeply elitist and patriarchal . 
8. Militarism: regimented society based on hierarchy and command chain
9. Ultranationalism and imperialsim:NAtions are not equal. Nations are natural rivals in struggle for dominance.
10. Expansionist foreign policy due to racial superirority( believe in geopolitics). Say state is a living organism and needs to expand else it will decay.
11. Believe in autarky : self sufficiency , hence minimum economic interdependence
12. Nothing above the state, nothing against the state or outside state- Mussolini.

• Criticism:

1. 
   Arendt and Popper consider it as variety of totalitarianism. As per them, it represents the end of class politics and rise of mass politics.
2. For gandhi, fascism is a manifestation of machiavellianism. Gandhi found no difference b/w fascism and british imperialsim. Acc to him, once means are compromised to achieve ends, the civilisaiton leads towards satanic tendencies.
3. 
   Laski- considers fascism as crisis of capitalism. considers it as counter revolution. It was by elite classes against masses. It was the last desperate attempt to protect from socialist revolution.

• Contemporary- It is said that fascists were defeated in war and not rejected by people and since 9/11,2008, it is considered that there is growth of rightist and neofascist and crisis of liberal project.

• Conclusion :
• 

G H Sabine- Fascism lacks the consistence to be called a school of thought. It is more of a hodge podge of ideologies to meet exigencies of time.