Explain and Evaluate the Reasons Why Fascists Reject Both Liberalism and Socialism
Fascism can be characterised as a “radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology” with the belief that “nations, not social classes, are the primary forces in history and politics”. It is neither Liberal nor Socialist, but a balanced medium between capitalism and revolutionary Marxism. With a nationalist perception, Fascists seek to revive their nation to glory through the commitment of individuals to unite in order to produce a national identity where everyone is connected by either ancestry, culture, or blood, and to be led by a totalitarian single-party government that aims to bring the masses together for the benefit of the nation. Although ultimately being Socialism with a Capitalist veneer, Fascism is a reactionary ideology and Fascists reject both liberalism and socialism for a number of key reasons. In the eyes of Fascists the ideal society is not one of liberalism or socialism where society is for the individual but one where individuals are for the society, an extreme take on President John F. Kennedy’s famous quote “ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”.
Liberalism and Socialism are different to Fascism and therefore a fascist could never accept either one. Fascism combines different political beliefs while simultaneously opposing a firm association with any section of the left and right spectrum. This is because Fascists believe that the spectrum is unable to describe their beliefs. “Fascism is the creed of patriotism and revolution”. It is an ideology that remains loyal to king and country, however is also far-reaching and revolutionary regarding changes to government and economics.
The Fascist view on human beings, unlike the view of Liberalists, is one opposed to individualism along with the belief that we as humans are not rational as we tend to feel before we think, “think with our blood”. As stated earlier, Fascist ideals are non-rationalist and are strongly based on such things as
Liberalism and Socialism are different to Fascism and therefore a fascist could never accept either one. Fascism combines different political beliefs while simultaneously opposing a firm association with any section of the left and right spectrum. This is because Fascists believe that the spectrum is unable to describe their beliefs. “Fascism is the creed of patriotism and revolution”. It is an ideology that remains loyal to king and country, however is also far-reaching and revolutionary regarding changes to government and economics.
The Fascist view on human beings, unlike the view of Liberalists, is one opposed to individualism along with the belief that we as humans are not rational as we tend to feel before we think, “think with our blood”. As stated earlier, Fascist ideals are non-rationalist and are strongly based on such things as
Bibliography: 1. Alexander J. De Grand, 1995, Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, Routledge, pp. 47 2 3. Blamires, Cyprian, 2006, World Fascism: a Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1,Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc p.140-141, 670. 4. Blamires, Cyprian, World Fascism: a Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1 (Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 2006) p. 507. 5. Harris Rufus C. , 1935-36, Idealism Emergent in Jurisprudence, Hein, 10 Til. L. Rev. 169 6 7. Henry A. Turner, 1985,"German Big Business and the Rise of Hitler", Oxford University Press, pg 77 8 9. President John F. Kennedy, January 20th 1961, Inaugural Address, Hein 12J. Pub.L.235, 1963 10 11. Thomas G Barnes & Gerald D. Feldman, 1972, Breakdown and Rebirth, 1914 to the Present: A Documentary History of Modern Europe Volume IV, Little Brown and Company. -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. Turner, Henry Ashby, 1975, Reappraisals of Fascism. New Viewpoints, States fascism 's "goals of radical and authoritarian nationalism". p. 162. [ 2 ]. Benito Mussolini, “The Doctrine of Fascism” in Ball and Dagger, 2009 [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. Oswald Mosley, 1936, Ten Points of Fascist Policy, British Union of Fascists, pp3 [ 5 ] [ 6 ]. A quote of Adolf Hitler - Harris Rufus C. , 1935-36, Idealism Emergent in Jurisprudence, Hein, 10 Til. L. Rev. 169 [ 7 ] [ 12 ]. Blamires, Cyprian, 2006, World Fascism: a Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1,Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc p.140. [ 15 ]. Oswald Mosley, 1936, Ten Points of Fascist Policy, British Union of Fascists, pp2-8 [ 16 ] [ 17 ]. Alexander J. De Grand, 1995, Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, Routledge, . pp. 47 [ 18 ] [ 19 ]. Henry A. Turner, 1985,"German Big Business and the Rise of Hitler", Oxford University Press, pg 77