1. Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal
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Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal
Chapter 7
Fascism
The sleep of reason brings forth monsters.
Francisco Goya
©2011 Pearson Longman

2. Introduction Fascism is a reactionary ideology:
Took shape after WWI as a reaction to liberalism and socialism
Fascists rejected the faith in reason that formed the foundation of both liberalism and socialism
Reject liberal focus on the individual and socialist focus on classes
Fascists favor a powerful nation that absorbs individuals into an all-embracing whole
The nation is to be led by a single party and a strong leader
Fascists differ from extreme conservatives because they favor rapid dramatic changes for society

3. The Counter Enlightenment
Nationalism – the belief that people fall into distinct groups or nations
Each nation forms the natural foundation for the nation state
The nation-state is a separate political unit meant to unite and express the interests of a single unified nation
Elitism – societies have always been run by elites even when they profess their faith in democracy and equality
Irrationalism – people’s actions are motivated mostly by emotions and desires rather than reason
Mussolini and Hitler used slogans, military parades, and myths to unite the masses under the mighty elite

4. Mussolini and Italian Fascism
Mussolini relied upon the sentiment of nationality to increase the power of the Fascist Party
Once in power, he outlawed all parties except the fascist party, seized control of the media, and stifled free speech
Mussolini wanted to make Italy into a great power through military strength and national unity

5. Fascism in Theory and Practice
Fascists reject individualism and believe that individuals should dedicate their lives to the nation-state
Individual life only has meaning if it is realized through the nation as a whole
Individual freedom is an obstacle to the freedom of the nation
The nation must be united to attain power and glory
Mussolini encouraged industrial production through his policy of corporativism:
Property remained in private hands even when put to public use

6. The Fascist View of Freedom
Obstacle:
individualism, independent groups, class divisions
Agent:
nation-state
Goal:
power and glory of the state
The Fascist View of Freedom

7. Hitler and Nazism
Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party, was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933
He quickly consolidated power into a dictatorship and moved to create a “Thousand Year Reich”
To achieve the Thousand Year Reich Hitler sought two things:
Provide Germany with Lebensraum – living space
Eliminate enemies standing in the way of the Reich: Jews, communists, etc.

8. Theoretical Origins of Nazism
Nazism = fascism + racism
Nazis believe that racial differences are a fundamental fact of life
Hitler was not an original thinker; he borrowed his racial theories from earlier thinkers
Joseph Arthur de Gobineau:
races are not created equal
mixing of races causes decline of great empires
Ludwig Woltmann:
cultural achievements of Western Europe are a result of the superiority of the Germanic or Aryan race
Malthus’s Law shows that a racial war will be fought over scarce resources
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

9. Malthus’s law predicts that resources will become increasingly scarce as population increases

10. Nazism in Theory and Practice
Nazis rejected the universalist view of human nature
Aryan race is the source of European civilization
Destiny of Germans, as the purest remnant of the Aryan race, was to dominate or exterminate lesser races
Nazis also reject individual freedom and pursue the freedom of the Aryan race
“Inferior” races present humanist ideas that soften and divide the nation or Volk
In order to create a strong, united, and racially pure community, Nazi’s resorted to censorship and book burning

11. The Nazi View of Freedom
Obstacle:
“inferior” races, humanitarian ideas, class divisions
Agent:
Aryan race
Goal:
racial supremacy; “1000 Year Reich”
The Nazi View of Freedom
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

12. The Legacies of Fascism
During the 20th century, fascist parties ruled temporarily in Spain, South Africa, and Argentina
Neofascist parties have won parliamentary seats in many European countries
Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nation, and other neo-Nazi groups in the US argue that the government has been taken over by Jews
The Turner Diaries – work of fiction that denounces constitutional democracy and advocates rule by a racially pure elite

13. Fascism as an Ideology Explanation: Evaluation: Orientation: Program:
Poor social conditions are caused by traitors who conspire to weaken the nation in order to serve their personal interests
Evaluation:
Fascist consider it most desirable when the nation or Volk is united and free of divisions
Orientation:
The individual has no significance outside of the nation or Volk that gives life purpose
Program:
Obey leaders and do what is necessary to bring glory to one’s people

14. Conclusion: Fascism and Democracy
Fascism is a totalitarian ideology:
Totalitarianism is the attempt to control society completely in social, economic, and cultural matters
Mussolini and Italian Fascists coined the term “totalitarian” to describe the complete control over society that they advocated
Fascists express open contempt for democracy:
Democracy leads to division and weakness that threaten the unity of the nation
Masses should obey the leader in pursuit of national glory rather than focus on individual rights or equality

15. Readings: Part VII: Fascism
Joseph-Arthur de Gobineau—Civilization and Race
Benito Mussolini—The Doctrine of Fascism
Alfredo Rocco—The Political Theory of Fascism
Adolf Hitler—Nation and Race
Andrew Macdonald [William L. Pierce] — The Turner Diaries