So what is fascism?
This is more of a PSA. People are throwing the word around a lot these days. So let's try to sort it out. Every fascist government is a little different, but here are the commonalities.
The fundamental belief that total war is not just possible, but inevitable, and that every aspect of the nation-state should exist to serve the nation-state in such a war. This is the root of pretty much every facet of a fascist state. Strict, one-party, authoritarian rule, rejection of modern notions of liberal rights (such as freedom of speech, religion, etc), Marxism, conservatism, and anarchism. The state protectionism and intervention in industry. The fierce emphasis of national identity by co-opting art, religion, and media to build a cohesive national identity in service to the state. The oppression of individuals who dissent, and extreme state intervention into the lives of citizens. Embracing violence, not just domestically, but imperially as means of protecting the state.
You might be noticing how important the state is in a fascist regime. Pretty much all aspects of society are used to strengthen and protect it. Liberalism is rejected for granting too many rights to individuals. Traditional conservatism is rejected for trying to preserve non-useful aspect of the culture and political paradigms of the nation. It's not an exaggeration to say that the fascist state, is one that craves war (though doesn't necessarily start one if the regime doesn't believe it can win) as a means of domination and sees every citizen as a tool of war, be they a soldier, factory worker, artist, clergy, anything.
The fundamental belief that total war is not just possible, but inevitable, and that every aspect of the nation-state should exist to serve the nation-state in such a war. This is the root of pretty much every facet of a fascist state. Strict, one-party, authoritarian rule, rejection of modern notions of liberal rights (such as freedom of speech, religion, etc), Marxism, conservatism, and anarchism. The state protectionism and intervention in industry. The fierce emphasis of national identity by co-opting art, religion, and media to build a cohesive national identity in service to the state. The oppression of individuals who dissent, and extreme state intervention into the lives of citizens. Embracing violence, not just domestically, but imperially as means of protecting the state.
You might be noticing how important the state is in a fascist regime. Pretty much all aspects of society are used to strengthen and protect it. Liberalism is rejected for granting too many rights to individuals. Traditional conservatism is rejected for trying to preserve non-useful aspect of the culture and political paradigms of the nation. It's not an exaggeration to say that the fascist state, is one that craves war (though doesn't necessarily start one if the regime doesn't believe it can win) as a means of domination and sees every citizen as a tool of war, be they a soldier, factory worker, artist, clergy, anything.
