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Fascism

Definition

Fascism is a form of far-right authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, as well as strong regimentation of society and economy which came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe.

Analogy

Imagine if your school was run like a strict military camp where one person makes all decisions without any input from students or teachers. There's no room for disagreement or individuality - everyone must follow orders without question. That's similar to how fascism operates in politics.

Related terms

Totalitarianism: A political concept where the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible.

Nazism: The political principles associated with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany between 1933–1945; it includes elements of fascism, along with racism and expansionism.

Dictatorship: A form of government where a single person (the dictator) possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.