Benito Mussolini Special Features

The Father of Fascism

Fascism originated from the Latin word fasces, meaning a bundle of sticks with a projecting axe-blade used as a totem of power in ancient Rome.

Mussolini is considered the Father of Fascism. Italy was under great strain after World War-I. The post-war effects had almost destroyed the economic structure. Moreover, the Versailles treaty had caused a growing discontent and disheartening the Italians.

Benito Mussolini All the five governments from 1919 to 1922, had failed to tackle the situation effectively. This is when Mussolini appeared on the political platform with his novel ism – Fascism.

“Fascism is completely opposite of Marxian Socialism, the materialist conception of history of human civilization can be explained simply through the conflict of interests among the various social groups and by the change and development in the means and instruments of production.”

– An excerpt from the definition of Fascism, entered in the Italian Encyclopaedia in 1932, written by Mussolini and Giovanni Gentile, explains this doctrine very well.

According to some critics, Fascism was Mussolini’s one of the greatest achievements, whereas some criticize it as one of his greatest mistakes. Fascism emphasizes the requirement of terror to maintain the discipline on masses. The originator of Fascism, Mussolini himself has remarked, “Peace is absurd; fascism does not believe in it.”

Five Features of Fascism

Fascism has five features – extreme nationalism, totalitarian government, one-party state, economic self-sufficiency and military strength & violence.

The first feature stresses the superiority of one’s own nation to others. Hence one should contribute, by any means, towards the empowerment of an empire or state.
The second feature shows that state is more important than the individual. To promote the greatness of the state, the government should strictly attempt to control and organize as many aspects of citizen’s lives as possible.
The third feature shuns democracy, calling it ‘hostile to communism’. There is no place for another party or theory, but the ‘priests’ of Fascism and its followers are considered the elite of the nation. One who hypnotizes the masses with thrilling speeches and skilful propaganda is considered a ‘hero’.
Autarchy is fourth and a vital feature. To develop the greatness of the state, the nation should be economically stalwart and for that the government must control the entire economic structure of the country. Here, it differs from Marxism, which narrates that the government itself is the owner of factories, properties and land.
Military power and control is last inevitable feature of Fascism; which allows the violent treatment to opponents and critics, pursuing an aggressive foreign policy. Fascism is the doctrine of a different society, where extreme nationalism and welfare of the state get top priority. Fascism is in one sentence; the whole (state) is supreme to its constituent parts (individuals).

Italy under the Fascist Mussolini

In 1920s, Fascism was the only logical alternative for those having anti-Communist sentiments. Many from the Western world also supported Mussolini and Fascism. One of them was the prominent American business tycoon, Nelson Rockefeller, who provided Mussolini’s Fascist Italy with cars, tanks and money.

It is surprising that this doctrine was the brainchild of Mussolini, who was originally a socialist. Actually, Mussolini came to power swiftly with a strong military support that encouraged Fascism. According to Mussolini, ‘Fascism must be the political system of the 20th century’, and so he suppressed all the other isms – socialism, liberalism, individualism and democracy. Under his dictatorship, opponents of his government were either exiled or killed. Giacorno Matteotti and Giovanni Amendola, the eminent Socialist leaders then, were sentenced to death. Only after 1926, when Mussolini felt he had no threat from the hostile, the assassination rate came down. Following the regime of Fascism, Mussolini adopted the title Il Duce and though he did not dissolve the parliament, his fascist Grand Council took all major decisions in Italy. Beneath the mask of fascism lay a dictator, Mussolini.

All fields like politics, press, education, corporate sector and religion were completely under the control of Mussolini. Italy, under fascism, lost more then what it gained.

The corporation system elected town council and mayor’ posts were abolished completely. Fascist authorities, controlled from the capital, Rome, took the charge of all districts.

Fascism exercised a strict press censorship. Harassment, of anti-fascist newspapers and its editors became routine and were replaced by fascist supporters. Similarly radio, films and the theatre were also victimized.