POS 254 Political Ideologies
Fascism and the Enlightenment

Fascism: An ideology, usually based on virulent nationalism or biological determinism, that advocates the totalitarian control of the state and in which all social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, spiritual and personal activities, attitudes, and values are controlled by the state.

Unified state, atomized individuals

1. One key aspect of fascism is a strong, unified state that is all-powerful.

2. But it also rests on a society of isolated, atomized individuals who lack bonds to other humans. This is a second key aspect.

3. The destruction of all other social bonds, therefore, is a key element of fascism.

Core elements of fascism

1. An ideology that addresses all aspects of life

2. A party that controls the state and is used to mobilize the masses

3. A secret police that is used to terrorize the people

4. A leader who holds absolute power

5. A bureaucracy to efficiently administer state control and terror

6. A system of concentration camps to hold and liquidate enemies and to terrorize the rest of the population

7. A mass movement that supports it

Fascism and Enlightenment ideals