The essence of fascist ideology. What is fascism? Ideology of fascism, definition

FASCISM (Italian fascismo from fas-cio - bundle, bundle, association)

ideology, political movement and social practice that are characterized by the following signs and features: justification on racial grounds for the superiority and exclusivity of one nation, which is therefore proclaimed dominant: intolerance and discrimination towards other “alien”, “hostile” nations and national minorities;

denial of democracy and human rights;

imposition of a regime based on the principles of totalitarian-corporate statehood, one-party system and leaderism: the establishment of violence and terror in order to suppress the political enemy and any forms of dissent;

militarization of society, the creation of paramilitary forces and the justification of war as a means of solving interstate problems. As can be seen from the list given in the definition, it covers and takes into account many signs and character traits, from the totality of which the most common and adequate formula F is composed. Such a wide range of features is explained by the fact. that F. is a complex, multidimensional social phenomenon, marked in different countries by features and differences in origins, prerequisites, and forms of manifestation. socio-economic conditions and national-political traditions contributing to its origin and formation. F. in its own, narrow sense is usually associated with its Italian model, which is etymologically and historically quite justified.

The first fascist organizations appeared in the spring of 1919. the prime minister of the fascists (Duce) B. Mussolini. Over the next 4 years, political freedoms were gradually eliminated, the 4: fascist party elite was established. In the 30s, the creation of a corporate state was completed. political system constituted the only legal fascist party. Parliament was replaced by a special body, which included representatives of various professional groups and social strata (“corporations.” Hence the name “corporate state”). Independent trade unions were replaced by completely nationalized “vertical” fascist trade unions. Mussolini's government developed and adopted a "series of codes (criminal, criminal procedural, civil, etc.), a number of which are still in effect today with modifications. The fascist government adopted the criminal law doctrine" social protection", waged a decisive fight against the mafia, as a result of which for the first time in Italian history managed to put an end to organized crime.

In a broad sense, the concept of F. is extended to National Socialism and other authoritarian-corporate, military regimes (Salazar in Portugal (1926-1974) and Franco in Spain (1939-1975).

In relation to Hitler's Germany (1933-1945), as a rule, the term “national socialism” (“Nazism”) is used, the use of which is also typical for the post-war legislation of these countries banning National Socialism. Nazi organizations and their activities, as well as propaganda of the ideas of National Socialism. And although many political scientists rightly point out the vagueness of the concept of f., it seems legitimate to talk about f. in a broad sense, i.e. including National Socialism, Italian, Portuguese and its other varieties. It should also be taken into account that General Assembly The UN, in many of its resolutions on the threat of the revival of F. and the need to combat it, uses this concept in a broad sense.

In its most concentrated form. although in their most extreme manifestations, the generic signs and characteristic features of F. were embodied in Nazi Germany, where racism, mass terror and aggression were justified in ideology, legalized in legislation and implemented in the criminal policy and practice of the state.

On October 1, 1946, the first international trial in the history of mankind of the main war criminals of Nazi Germany ended in Nuremberg. The International Military Tribunal (IMT), on behalf of the peoples of the world, condemned the leaders and ideologists. military leaders fascist Germany for crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The IMT recognized the NSDAP as criminal organizations. Gestapo. SS and SD. The Tribunal recognized and condemned the ideology of Nazism and the regime based on it as criminal.

Behind the main Nuremberg trials The IMT was followed by 12 trials conducted by American Military Tribunals (AMT) in Nuremberg. In Trial No. 3 of the AVT, a case was considered on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Nazi judges. The Court's judgment clearly defined the role of judges and high-ranking officials justice in the commission of these crimes: “The main element of the accusation is that the laws, Hitler’s decrees and the draconian, corrupt and corrupt National Socialist legal system as such collectively represent war crime and a crime against humanity. Participation in the publication and application of such laws meant criminal complicity." The Tribunal described Nazi legislation itself as a far-reaching degradation of the entire legal system.

After the Second World War, the question of creating legal barriers to the revival of France became acute. Analysis of legislation Western countries(Germany. Austria. Italy. Portugal, etc.), in which F. in different periods was in power or existed as a political and state reality, shows that the suppression of f. is carried out mainly through the prohibition of the formation and activities of associations and parties of a fascist, Nazi or neo-Nazi persuasion or other national varieties of f., known in these countries from their own experience . So. the Portuguese Constitution of 1976 explicitly uses the term "F." In paragraph 4 of Art. 46 of the Constitution on the right of citizens to associate, “armed associations, associations of a militaristic or paramilitarist nature, as well as organizations that adhere to the ideology of fascism” are recognized as unacceptable.

Violation of the ban and the continuation of the activities of banned parties and associations of pro-Nazi or pro-fascist orientation are subject to criminal punishment in these countries, while the concept or definition of f. as a legal category. used in a criminal law or administrative law context. usually absent. The exception is Portugal. In the law banning F. of 1978, the lack of a legal definition of F. is compensated by a detailed definition of fascist organizations: “...organizations that are considered fascist are those that, in their charters, manifestos, messages and statements of leading and responsible figures, as well as in their activities, openly

adhere to, defend, strive to disseminate and actually disseminate the principles, teachings, attitudes and methods inherent in historically known fascist regimes, namely: they promote war, violence as a form of political struggle, colonialism, racism, corporatism and extol prominent fascist figures."

In Austria, liberated from Hitler's occupation, the provisional coalition government adopted on May 8, 1945 constitutional law about the ban on the NSDAP, which is still in effect today. In 1992, it was amended to tighten criminal liability for any attempts to recreate or support the activities of banned Nazi organizations. At the same time, the upper limits of the punishment in the form of life imprisonment were retained and the lower limits were omitted. The law increased penalties for promoting National Socialism by distributing publications or works of art, and also introduced a new crime providing for criminal liability for denial of Nazi genocide and crimes against humanity or for apology for National Socialism.

In Germany, a different mechanism is provided for the possible suppression of pro-Nazi activities. In 1952, the Federal Constitutional Court declared the Socialist Imperial Party unconstitutional and banned it as the successor to the NSDAP; the ban also applies to the creation of organizations replacing it. The Criminal Code of the Federal Republic of Germany, which came into force on January 1, 1975, contains a number of articles establishing criminal liability for the continuation of the activities of a prohibited organization, an attempt to recreate it or create a replacement organization, for the dissemination of propaganda materials of such an organization. as well as for the use of its symbols. These articles should apply to parties and associations of Nazi and neo-Nazi orientation.

In Italy, the condemnation of F. and its ban are recorded in the transitional and final regulations of the 1947 Constitution: “The restoration in any form of the dissolved fascist party is prohibited.” Article 13 of the Constitution prohibits the creation of secret societies and associations that, at least indirectly, pursue political goals through organizations of a military nature. In November 1947, the Constituent Assembly of Italy passed a law banning fascist activities, which also provides for imprisonment for F propaganda. In 1952, a law was passed banning neo-fascist activities and organizations such as the Italian Social Movement party. It was first used in 1973 in the case of 40 members of the neo-fascist organization New Order. 30 of whom were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. In 1974, more than 100 criminal cases were brought against members of the neo-fascist organization National Vanguard. The fight against F. in Italy is based both on the legislation applied by the courts and on the people’s active rejection of any manifestations and performances of neo-fascist forces.

The Criminal Code contains a number of articles establishing criminal liability for actions characteristic of F. and allowing effective fight with the most dangerous criminal acts of a pro-fascist nature, especially such as: organizing mass riots accompanied by violence, pogroms, arson, destruction of property (Article 212); incitement to national, racial or religious hatred (Article 282); public calls for the outbreak of a war of aggression (Article 354); genocide (Article 357). Along with this, it is necessary to pass a law prohibiting the propaganda of F., including his justification.

Ledyakh I.A.

Encyclopedia of Lawyer. 2005 .

Synonyms:

See what "FASCISM" is in other dictionaries:

- (Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, bundle, association), political. a movement that arose during the period of the general crisis of capitalism and expresses the interests of the most reactionary and aggressive forces of imperialism. bourgeoisie. F. is in power terrorist... ... Philosophical Encyclopedia

- (fascism) Far-right nationalist ideology and movement with a totalitarian and hierarchical structure, diametrically opposed to democracy and liberalism. The term originates in Ancient Rome, in which the power of the state ... ... Political science. Dictionary.

Modern encyclopedia

- (Italian fascismo from fascio bundle, bundle, association), socio-political movements, ideologies and state regimes of a totalitarian type. In the narrow sense, fascism is a phenomenon political life Italy and Germany 20-40s. 20th century In any of your... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Social and political movements, ideologies and state regimes of a totalitarian type. In the narrow sense, fascism is a phenomenon of political life in Italy and Germany in the 20s and 40s. 20th century In all its varieties, fascism opposes institutions and... Historical Dictionary

Fascism- (Italian fascismo bundle, bundle, association), socio-political movements, ideologies and state regimes of a totalitarian type. In all its varieties, fascism opposes the institutions and values ​​of democracy to the so-called... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Dictatorship; brown plague, plague of the twentieth century, Nazism Dictionary of Russian synonyms. fascism noun, number of synonyms: 5 globofascism (1) ... Synonym dictionary

- (Italian facio - association) - an open terrorist dictatorship of the most reactionary, chauvinistic elements. The fascist system was first established in Italy (1922), then in Germany (1933) and a number of other countries. The ideology of fascism is based on... Encyclopedia of Cultural Studies

- (Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, bundle, association) socio-political movements, ideologies and state regimes of the right-wing totalitarian type. In the exact sense, F. is a phenomenon of political life in Italy in the 20s and 40s. XX century Since the 30s the concept of F. has become... ... Legal dictionary

FASCISM, national socialism (Latin fasio; Italian fascismo, fascio bundle, bundle, association) (1) a type of social and governmental structure opposite to constitutionally pluralistic democracy. In Europe 20th century. This is Portugal under the regime... ... The latest philosophical dictionary

FASCISM, fascism, many. no, husband (Italian fascismo from Latin fascis a bunch of twigs, which in ancient Rome served as a symbol of power) (neol. political). One of the forms of open bourgeois dictatorship in some capitalist countries, which arose in Italy after... ... Dictionary Ushakova

The reasons for the emergence of the ideology of fascism

The emergence of fascist ideology in Italy and Germany in the first half of the twentieth century. has a number of common grounds that determined the formation of totalitarian regimes in these countries on the basis of the fascist doctrine developed by their ideologists. During this period, prerequisites arose that contributed to the emergence and strengthening of fascism. First of all, such a prerequisite was the national crisis caused by the post-war devastation, affecting all social strata and groups and exacerbating social, including interethnic, contradictions. This is compounded by the weakening of the real power of the liberal democratic state and its inability to propose and implement effective measures to bring society out of the crisis. The situation was aggravated by the use of harsh measures by the government, which positions itself as democratic. “The slowness of liberal policies caused growing discontent. Added to this was justified indignation at those who, hiding behind liberal phrases, defended antisocial privileges.” Citizens began to distrust political institutions. At the level of mass psychology, a feeling of loss of social security arose, often developing into aggression towards the state as a whole.

Not the least role was played by the weakening of the country’s international positions, as in the case of Italy, which lost its former role in political processes Europe, and in the case of Germany, which was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which traumatized the national consciousness of the Germans. The activities of the left parties (communist, social democratic) frightened not only big capital, but also the middle strata of society with their revolutionary prospects.

At the head of the fascist movement were skillful demagogue leaders who skillfully played on social contradictions, manipulated the masses, and promised to lead the country out of the crisis through quick and decisive action. The charismatic abilities of such leaders often solved many questions, which he could answer clearly and unambiguously: “The more complex a civilization becomes, the more individual freedom is limited.” It is impossible to overestimate the fact that the material support of the big bourgeoisie eliminated many of the difficulties that stood in the way of the fascist party on the path to power.

The crisis of public consciousness, the disappointment of the masses in liberal and democratic values ​​forced people to turn not to a rational solution to the problem within the framework of liberal democracy, but to appeal to emotions, feelings and the search for an irrational way out of a catastrophic situation.

In relation to Germany, it is possible to clearly identify the fundamental reasons that led to the establishment of fascism:

The monopoly bourgeoisie found in fascism the desired way out of the acute political situation created by the economic crisis;

The petty bourgeoisie and a certain part of the peasantry saw in the demagogic promises of the Hitler party the fulfillment of hopes for mitigating economic difficulties caused by the growth of monopolies and aggravated by the crisis;

The German working class found itself split into two workers' parties, each of which was not strong enough to stop fascism.

For both Germany and Italy, general instability played a significant role, feeding nationalist, militaristic and revanchist sentiments. You should also pay attention to the complexity of the international situation during this period. It was characterized by underestimation of the fascist threat by the leading powers of the world, connivance with the aggressor, and contradictions in the international arena. France was interested in preserving the Versailles system and sought to create a bloc of European states for this purpose. England and the United States were inclined to restore the German military-economic potential, hoping to prevent French hegemony on the continent and, most importantly, to direct the aggressive aspirations of German fascism to the east with the prospect of war between Germany and the USSR.

Don't underestimate and psychological underlying fascist ideology. Perhaps it was she who played a significant role in strengthening the spirit of “righteousness” of fascism among poorly educated people and marginalized people. “In addition to the problem of the economic and social conditions that contributed to the emergence of fascism, there is also the problem of man as such, which also needs to be understood.” The essence of this prerequisite for the emergence of fascist ideology is that a person, being in an unstable but relatively free state, is ready to sacrifice this very freedom in order to receive a guarantee of “tomorrow.” In times of crisis, people are ready to buy order and stability for free will and conscience.

The simultaneous presence of all these factors and their interweaving allowed fascist ideology to acquire wide scope in Europe in the 1920-30s. The results of the partial implementation of the doctrine of fascism are terrifying - suppression of the individual, total state control, war, repression, concentration camps and millions of human victims.

The concept of fascism and its basic ideological principles

Fascism (from the Italian fascio - bundle, bundle, association) is a right-wing radical political movement and ideological movement that denies both liberal and socialist values. It is one of the main types of totalitarianism, but is quite tolerant of private property. It is characterized by chauvinist nationalism, anti-Semitism, racism and aggressiveness in foreign policy.

“Classical” examples of fascism are Italian fascism and German Nazism. The main distinguishing quality of fascism is militant anti-communism, as well as social and nationalist demagoguery. For all the complexity of the class composition of the fascist movement, its anti-proletarian character is decisive. Fascism is a direct reaction of the entire anti-proletarian front to a possible socialist revolution in conditions of the collapse or crisis of the bourgeois state, a split in the ruling class, and social hysteria in all layers of society. The establishment of fascism represents a radical revolution leading to the complete and final destruction of bourgeois democracy by the bourgeoisie itself, since social base her dictatorship collapsed.

With the establishment of fascism, there is no change in the class essence of state power, and the nature of the socio-economic system does not change. The most reactionary part of the bourgeoisie comes to power, which establishes a regime of arbitrariness and lawlessness. Being a product of the era of the general crisis of capitalism, fascism is an openly terrorist dictatorship of the most reactionary and chauvinistic elements financial capital. What distinguishes fascism from other totalitarian regimes is, first of all, the preaching of “national socialism,” which also eliminates bourgeois democracy, but this is done without “theoretical justification” and not under “socialist” slogans. This is due to the fact that the fascists’ understanding of socialism was very specific. Mussolini saw it as a great act of destruction, and Hitler saw it as a complete commitment to the ideas of the nation. The fascists emphasized what was popular in the 1920s and 30s. the ideas of socialism are mainly based mainly on demagogic considerations.

The basic principles of fascist ideology include the following fundamental provisions:

· Conservative revolution, the essence of which is the elimination of the liberal order, which led the country to a state of economic crisis and a proletarian-revolutionary situation. The Conservative Revolution is the path along which the country will return to its former historical greatness. Fascist revolutionaryism, special, based on the need for “order, discipline, obedience to the moral commandments of the Fatherland.”

· Totalitarian state. Mussolini said that a party that rules in a totalitarian manner is “a new fact in history”; analogies and comparisons are inappropriate here. The state subjugates society, destroys its civil foundations, subjecting all aspects of its life to the state, including private (even intimate) relationships.

· The idea of ​​a nation. National revival is possible only within the framework of a totalitarian state in which national interests are decisive. The nation is “absolute”, a single whole. “The state educates citizens in civic virtues, it gives them a consciousness of its mission and encourages them to unity, harmonizes interests according to the principle of justice; ensures the continuity of the achievements of thought in the fields of knowledge, art, law, and solidarity; lifts people from elementary, primitive life to the heights of human power, that is, to an empire; preserves for future centuries the names of those who died for its inviolability and in the name of obedience to its laws; sets an example and exalts for future generations the leaders who increased his territory; geniuses who glorified him."

· The idea of ​​a “new order”. The establishment of an order of national prosperity and social justice requires the formation of a “new” person, devoted “with all his heart” to the state and nation.

· Denial of class antagonism. The fascists argued that this idea of ​​struggle and class rivalry was nothing more than an invention of liberals, “inflated” by Marxists. The idea of ​​classism in its essence contradicts the idea of ​​the unity of the German nation.

· Anti-parliamentarism and anti-multi-partyism. From the point of view of fascist ideology, parliamentarism leads to negative consequences for society, because separation state power between groups of “rogues” who are trying to realize their private interests, causing political instability. At the same time, the real interests of the nation are being grossly neglected. “There is not a single principle as deceitful as parliamentarism,” Hitler wrote. There can only be one party that merges with the nation into a single movement and monopolizes power, the rest must be banned and destroyed.

· Ban on trade unions. Trade unions express the interests exclusively of the working class, but workers are, first and foremost, citizens of their country. They are obliged to cooperate with fellow citizens who are not workers, and cannot allow speeches against their own compatriots.

· Anti-communism. The fight against communists took place both directly on the territory of fascist states (where communist parties destroyed and prohibited), and had an international focus, primarily on the “homeland of communism” in the USSR. The Nazis partially defined their intentions and goals for this country in a political, ideological and strategic document - "Drag Nach Osten". A. Hitler expressed his attitude and view of the communists as follows: “They literally trampled everything into the mud... The nation, since it was considered a product of the capitalist classes; The Fatherland, because it was considered a tool of the bourgeoisie to exploit the working class; the rule of law - because for them it was a means of keeping the proletariat in line; religion, which was considered a means of stupefying the people for subsequent enslavement; morality - as a symbol of stupid and slavish obedience.”

· Non-recognition of the Versailles system. According to the Versailles Peace Treaty, a ban on having an army, obligations to pay reparations, and the introduction of a demilitarized zone were introduced. The Nazis first neglected these requirements and then violated them. France and England allowed Germany to behave this way and did not resist, hoping to direct the growing aggression towards the USSR.

· Nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism. The fascists developed a radical degree of nationalism, the essence of which is that a nation “strong in spirit and will” is obliged to subjugate other nations and increase its own living space. Such concepts as “purity of blood”, “superior race” were introduced, on the basis of which plans were made for world domination and the transformation of some races into slaves: “these peoples have one and only justification for their existence - to be useful to us economically”, the rest were subject to extermination. Ideological anti-Semitism was expressed in practice by the mass genocide of Jews - the Holocaust, because Jews were recognized as “the source of capitalism, Marxism” and accused of all their negative manifestations (unemployment, inflation, revolution): “If the Jews, with the help of their Marxist faith, conquer the peoples of the world, their crown will be a funeral wreath for humanity,” Hitler believed, and also pointed out the desire of the Jews to “denationalize, due to the degeneration” of representatives of the “superior race”. Thus, it is obvious that the principles of nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism have inseparably grown together and reincarnated into a completely new and ultra-radical concept.

· Expansionism. From the first days of power, the fascists and Nazis began to prepare for a “great war”, which was supposed to provide the German and Italian nations with dominance over the entire world. Building up military power happened at a tremendous pace. Militarization filled all spheres of life. The idea of ​​war as a manifestation of the strength of a nation and its purpose is absolutely clearly visible in the speeches of both Hitler and Mussolini. “War is a sign of the vitality of a nation, the meaning of history,” the Duce proclaimed in his “Doctrine of Fascism.” And the Fuhrer wrote in Mein Kampf: “Whoever wants to live must fight; “Whoever does not want to fight in this world, where eternal struggle is the law of life, has no right to exist.”

· Communitarianism. The meaning of this idea is that the individual and society are completely inseparable, and the state is society; accordingly, there are no rights and interests of the individual outside the state. An individual can and should realize all interests only through communitarian, common things. To implement this approach, it is necessary to begin to educate a “new person” whose interests will coincide with the interests of the nation and state. First of all, communitarianism addresses the economic sphere, where national goals in the economy must be shared by each individual, guided and subordinated to the leader of the party.

· Leaderism. Fascism is built on a charismatic principle - on leaderism. The supremacy of the Fuhrer, the Duce, is “the embodiment of the racial national and popular spirit.” The leader has unlimited power. He is a symbol of the greatness and unity of the nation. They rally around the leader social groups, thanks to which he skillfully manipulates and leads them to mobilize the nation and solve pressing problems.

To summarize this chapter, it should be noted that fascist ideology has a number of specific features, which together make it possible to define it as follows: firstly, there is a clear distinction between the ideology of the ruling elite and the masses. The elitism of the top was justified, among other things, by biological arguments. Secondly, fascism is characterized by militant irrationalism and an extreme simplification of slogans and ideological clichés. Thirdly, it was built on a charismatic principle - on leadership. The Supreme Leader (Duce in Italy, Fuhrer in Germany), possessing unlimited power, is the embodiment of the racial, national and popular spirit. The fourth characteristic of this ideology is the cult of force, the absolutization of the force factor in history, the denial of humanism. Combined with racism, the cult of violence became one of the reasons for the outbreak of the bloodiest war in human history.



“Fascism is an ideological and political movement that arose in 1919 in Italy and Germany and expressed the interests of the most reactionary and aggressive layers of both the large and middle and petty bourgeoisie. The ideology of fascism includes the ideas of racial inequality and the superiority of one race over another, “class harmony" (the theories of "people's community" and "corporatism"), leaderism ("Führerism"), the omnipotence of geopolitics (the struggle for living space). Fascism is characterized by an autocratic political regime, the use of extreme forms and means of suppressing democratic rights and freedoms, the widespread use state-monopoly methods of regulating the economy, comprehensive control over public and personal life, reliance on nationalist ideas and social-demagogic attitudes. Foreign policy fascism - the policy of imperialist conquests"3.

When on March 23, 1919, several dozen people of a wide variety of people gathered in one of the premises of the Association of Traders and Shopkeepers of Milan political views and orientations - republicans, socialists, anarchists, unclassifiable rebels and former soldiers, led by the recent soldier and aspiring journalist Benito Mussolini - and called themselves fascists (from the Italian fascio - bundle, association; "fascia" of lictors - a symbol of power in the Ancient Rome), no one could imagine that this meeting marked the beginning of an ideological and political movement, and then a political regime, which became a black sign of the 20th century.

Fascism was not the evil intent of individuals or masses of people, although individuals stood at the head of it, and the masses supported them. Fascism arose, in the words of the French political scientist Chantal Millon-Delsole, from that vast nebula that formed after the First World War, like a plume of dust, in all countries of Europe without exception and even beyond its borders. Fascist ideology was a unique reaction to the comprehensive crisis of society: the economic and social crisis due to the dehumanization of labor and the mass relocation of people from villages to cities; political crisis as a result of the inadequacy of new democratic regimes, as well as abuses and corruption in democratic states; intellectual and spiritual crisis generated by modern radicalism and the erosion of religious and moral values4. However, he did not find favor everywhere. The response to the challenge of the times in the United States, for example, was President Roosevelt’s “New Deal.”

In the countries that were defeated in the First World War, and especially in Germany, there were additional reasons for the emergence of fascism. One of them was the feeling of humiliation that the nation experienced in connection with the reparations paid to the victorious countries for the damage caused to them, which in official propaganda and at the everyday level in those years was regarded as nothing less than the “greatest shame” of the German nation, which can only be washed away by a new blood. Ideas, slogans, teachings were heard that Germany was “above all” and “above all.” Fascist leaders successfully used this moment and deliberately fueled revanchist sentiments.

Based on research in electoral sociology, American scientist S.M. Lipset created a robot portrait of a voter who supported the Nazis in Germany in 1932; a self-employed member of the middle classes, living on a farm or in a small settlement, a Protestant who has previously voted for some centrist or regionalist party, and is hostile to big industry. A little time will pass, and not only the thousands of ordinary people described by Lipset, but also many thousands of other representatives of the German people will turn into a mass responsive to fascist propaganda.

Fascism as an ideology is an extremely eclectic system of views. Moreover, if there is common features he has many faces, carries some national characteristics. Stories of the 20th century different fascisms are known: Italian fascism, German National Socialism, Portuguese fascism of dictator Salazar (until 1974), Spanish fascism of General Franco (until 1975), etc. Each of the national variants is distinguished by a noticeable originality in ideology.

Thus, National Socialism is characterized by idealization biological laws and an attempt to transfer to society the right of the strong, which reigns in nature. Fascism admires the law of nature according to which the power of the strong over the weak can be justified. The value here is the elitist-hierarchical principle, according to which some are born to command, and others to obey. This ideology strongly praises war, which leads to the unity of the nation, justifies territorial claims to other nations, and encourages imperialism as the conquest of “living space” for the resettled country. German National Socialism rejected the process of modernization and dreamed of an “agrarian country of Germany.” Leaderism (the principle of the Fuhrer) meant the unity of the state, embodied in the leader. The principle of the omnipotence of the state machine and the corporate state was extolled in every possible way. The main difference between National Socialism in the family of fascist ideologies was the presence in it of a conspiracy theory of Western plutocracies and Bolshevism as weapons of world Jewry against Germany. And also the theory about the insurmountability of the inequality of races and nations and the world domination of the Aryan race, identified with the German nation.

Thus, Hitler’s book “My Struggle” is heavily involved in nationalism and racism. Hitler spoke of the Germans as the supreme, chosen nation. Only the German by nature is a true man, the most typical representative of humanity; only the German people managed to preserve their pristine purity of language and blood. Back in the 12th century. In Germany, a theory arose that Adam and Eve spoke German. The language of the Germans appeared before the tongue other peoples, it is pure, while other languages ​​are a mixture of heterogeneous elements.

“The implementation of racist concepts in a racist state,” Hitler wrote, “will allow us to enter a period of prosperity: instead of improving the breed of dogs, horses or cats, people will improve their own breed; in this era of human history, some, having learned the truth, will silently commit an act of self-denial, others will gladly offer themselves as a gift to the nation. The German people have no other future than world domination.”5 True attitude to the German people he expressed in January 1942 after the defeat near Moscow: “If the German people are not ready to fight for their survival, well, then they must disappear”6.

Unlike German National Socialism, which sought to create a “thousand-year Reich,” Italian fascism speculated on the idea of ​​​​recreating the Great Roman Empire. In 1936, Mussolini announced to all Italians a great historical event- the conquest of the African country of Abyssinia by Italian troops. "Italy has an empire!" - he announced. Mussolini's regime, remembering pre-Christian Rome, imitated the regime of the Caesars and the times of paganism.

One of the main ideas of Italo-fascism is the idea of ​​a corporate state. “Our state is neither absolute, nor even less absolutist, detached from people and armed only with immutable laws, as laws should be. Our state is an organic, human state, most closely connected with real life,” Mussolini wrote in book "The Corporate State"7. In a corporate system, the economy is organized into state-controlled associations of labor and capital, all working "in harmony" through a one-party dictatorship. The corporate system assumes that a person can only express himself as a citizen by being a member of a group. Mussolini introduced political language the concept of totalitarianism, when he said that the fascist state is totalitarian, i.e. does not allow any association or values ​​other than itself.

In the family of fascist ideologies, the ideology associated with the name of Antonio Salazar, the Portuguese dictator who ruled the country from 1932 until the end of the 60s, stands somewhat apart. To imagine the situation in the country before Salazar, it is enough to say that from the moment of the proclamation of the republic in 1910 until the military revolt of 1926, i.e. In 16 years, there have been 16 coups in Portugal.

Salazar was a professor at the University of Corimba. In view of the plight of the country, he was offered emergency powers. Using them, he managed to gradually improve the economy. “One of my principles, which I always follow,” he noted, “is this: no one can challenge the rightness of the head of state, which means that in the settlement of political problems there is only one supreme arbiter, whose enlightened decision is binding on all.” .

Fascism is a complex phenomenon caused by many factors. But in a certain sense, we can say that fascism comes and goes not only due to the presence or absence of these factors, but also along with the personality of that political leader, which becomes its symbolic expression.

• 1. What are the basic principles of “classical” liberalism?
• 2. How does neoliberalism differ from “classical” liberalism?
• 3. What are the distinguishing features of conservatism and neoconservatism?
• 4. Describe the essence of social democratic concepts. What is the concept of "democratic socialism"?
• 5. What is the role of political ideologies in society and politics?

Fascism(Italian fascismo, fascio - bundle, bundle, association) - a political and ideological movement that arose in Western Europe during the crisis of capitalist (industrial) society in the 30s. XX century and expressing the interests of the most reactionary and aggressive forces. It denies both liberal democratic and egalitarian socialist values ​​and is one of the varieties of totalitarianism. The political aspects of the ideology of fascism are contained in the works of famous functionaries of Italian and German fascism A. Rocco And A. Rosenberg, as well as leaders of the fascist movement A. Hitler(“meine kampf” – “My struggle”) in Germany and B. Mussolini in Italy.

Basic ideas of fascism:

– the need to use extreme forms of violence to suppress dissent and opposition;

– anti-communism;

– chauvinism, racism – theory of racial inequality and superiority of the corresponding race, anti-Semitism;

– nationalist geopolitical concepts;

– widespread use of state-monopoly methods of regulating the economy;

– the omnipotence of the state machine, the state apparatus (“the theory of the total state”);

– maximum control over all manifestations of people’s public and personal lives; the ability to politically activate the population through nationalist and social demagoguery;

- leaderism - the principle of the Fuhrer of the National Socialist organization;

– aggressive and aggressive foreign policy.

Fascism is based on mass totalitarian political party(coming to power, it becomes a state-monopoly organization) and the unquestioned authority of the “leader”, “Fuhrer”. The Fuhrer is both the exponent and personification of the racial, national and popular spirit. The strength of the state comes from him, he gives certain powers to lower leaders.

Ideology of fascism identifies society with the nation, and the nation with the state. The interests of the state are immeasurably higher than the interests of individuals, groups and organizations. The power of the fascist state depends on the spiritual unity of the masses, which must be protected by any means. Apart from the fascist party - the only bearer of power and the fate of the state, no other parties with their inter-party struggle have the right to exist. Any democratic movements and organizations, as well as manifestations of free thought, were strictly prohibited under fascism. To fight dissent, fascist states used developed police forces, special paramilitary organizations, a total system of surveillance and control, concentration camps in which many tens of thousands of democrats, cultural figures and opponents of fascism, millions of Jews, Slavs and simply representatives of the “non-Aryan” were exterminated. » population.

The Second World War, unleashed by fascist states - Germany, Italy and others, brought the greatest disasters to the peoples of the world. More than 50 million people died in its course. The defeat of fascist Germany and its allies in 1945 by the forces of the anti-Hitler and anti-fascist coalition dealt a decisive blow to fascism and contributed to the revival of democratic states.

We strongly associate the word fascism with Hitler's Germany. However, the head of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler, did not profess fascism, but National Socialism. While many provisions coincide, there are significant differences and even contradictions between the two ideologies.

A fine line

Today, any movement that is extremely radical in nature, declaring nationalist slogans, is usually called a manifestation of fascism. The word fascist, in fact, has turned into a cliche, having lost its original meaning. This is not surprising, since the two most dangerous totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century - fascism and national socialism - were in close contact for a long time, exerting a noticeable influence on each other.

Indeed, they have a lot in common - chauvinism, totalitarianism, leaderism, lack of democracy and pluralism of opinions, reliance on a one-party system and punitive authorities. National Socialism is often called one of the forms of manifestation of fascism. The German Nazis willingly adapted some elements of fascism on their soil, in particular, the Nazi salute is a copy of the so-called Roman salute.

With the widespread confusion of concepts and principles that guided Nazism and fascism, it is not so easy to identify differences between them. But before doing this, we need to look at the origins of the two ideologies.

Fascism

The word fascism has Italian roots: “fascio” in Russian sounds like “union”.
This word, for example, was in the title political party Benito Mussolini – Fascio di combattimento (Union of Struggle). "Fascio" in turn goes back to the Latin word "fascis", which translates as "bundle" or "bundle".

Fascias are bundles of elm or birch twigs tied with a red cord or tied with belts– were a kind of attribute of power of the ancient Roman kings or masters in the era of the Republic. Initially, they symbolized the right of the authorities to achieve their decisions by using force. According to some versions, the fasces were indeed an instrument of corporal punishment, and together with the ax - the death penalty.

The ideological roots of fascism originate in the 1880s in the phenomenon of Fin de siècle (from French - “end of the century”), characterized by oscillations between euphoria in anticipation of change and eschatological fear of the future. The intellectual basis of fascism was largely prepared by the works of Charles Darwin (biology), Richard Wagner (aesthetics), Arthur de Gobineau (sociology), Gustave Le Bon (psychology) and Friedrich Nietzsche (philosophy).

At the turn of the century, a number of works appeared that professed the doctrine of the superiority of an organized minority over a disorganized majority, the legitimacy of political violence, and the concepts of nationalism and patriotism were radicalized. This leads to the emergence of political regimes seeking to strengthen the regulatory role of the state, violent methods of suppressing dissent, and rejection of the principles of economic and political liberalism.

In many countries, such as Italy, France, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, Japan, Argentina, fascist movements are loudly making themselves known. They profess similar principles: authoritarianism, social Darwinism, elitism, while simultaneously defending anti-socialist and anti-capitalist positions.

In the most pure form the doctrine of fascism as the power of a corporate state was expressed by the Italian leader Benito Mussolini, who by this word understood not only the system government controlled, but also ideology. In 1924, the National Fascist Party of Italy (Partito Nazionale Fascista) received a parliamentary majority, and since 1928 it became the only legal party in the country.

National Socialism

This movement, known under the term "Nazism", became official political ideology in the Third Reich. It is often seen as a type of fascism with elements of pseudoscientific racism and anti-Semitism, which is expressed in the concept " German fascism", by analogy with Italian or Japanese fascism.

German political scientist Manuel Sarkisyants writes that Nazism is not a German invention. The philosophy of Nazism and the theory of dictatorship were formulated in the mid-19th century by the Scottish historian and publicist Thomas Carlyle. “Like Hitler, Carlyle never betrayed his hatred, his contempt for the parliamentary system,” notes Sarkisyants. “Like Hitler, Carlyle always believed in the saving virtue of dictatorship.”

The main goal for German National Socialism was to build and establish a “pure state” over the widest possible geographical area, in which the main role would be allocated to representatives of the Aryan race, who have everything necessary for a prosperous existence.

The National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) was in power in Germany from 1933 to 1945. Hitler often emphasized the importance of Italian fascism, which influenced the formation of Nazi ideology. He gave a special place to the March on Rome (the march of Italian fascists in 1922, which contributed to the rise of Mussolini), which became an inspiring example for German radicals.

The ideology of German Nazism was based on the principle of uniting the doctrines of Italian fascism around National Socialist ideas, where Mussolini’s absolute state would be transformed into a society with a eugenic doctrine of race.

So close, but different

According to Mussolini, the main provisions of the fascist doctrine are the doctrine of the state, its essence, tasks and goals. For the ideology of fascism, the state is an absolute - an unquestioned authority and the highest authority. All individuals or social groups are inconceivable without the state.

This idea is expressed more clearly in the slogan that Mussolini proclaimed in his speech in the Chamber of Deputies on May 26, 1927: “Everything is in the state, nothing is against the state and nothing is outside the state.”

The attitude of the National Socialists towards the state was fundamentally different. For the ideologists of the Third Reich, the state is “only a means to preserve the people.” In the long term, National Socialism did not aim to maintain the structure of the state, but sought to reorganize it into public institutions.

The state in National Socialism was seen as an intermediate stage in building an ideal, racially pure society. Here one can see some analogy with the ideas of Marx and Lenin, who considered the state a transitional form on the path to building a classless society.

The second stumbling block between the two systems is the national and racial question. For the fascists, a corporate approach to solving national problems was extremely important in this regard. Mussolini stated that “race is a feeling, not a reality; 95% feeling." Moreover, Mussolini tried to avoid this word whenever possible, replacing it with the concept of nation. It was the Italian nation that was a source of pride for the Duce and an incentive for its further exaltation.

Hitler called the concept of "nation" "obsolete and empty", despite the presence of this word in the name of his party. German leaders solved the national question through a racial approach, literally by mechanically purifying the race and maintaining racial purity through weeding out foreign elements. The racial question is the cornerstone of Nazism.

Racism and anti-Semitism were alien to fascist ideology in its original sense. Although Mussolini admitted that he became a racist back in 1921, he emphasized that there was no imitation of German racism here. “It is necessary that Italians respect their race,” Mussolini declared his “racist” position.

Moreover, Mussolini more than once condemned the eugenic teachings of National Socialism about the purity of the race. In March 1932, in a conversation with the German writer Emil Ludwig, he noted that “to date there are no completely pure races left in the world. Even the Jews did not escape confusion.”

“Anti-Semitism does not exist in Italy,” declared the Duce. And these were not just words. While anti-Semitic campaigns in Italy were gaining momentum in Germany, many important positions in universities, banks or the army continued to be held by Jews. It was only in the mid-1930s that Mussolini declared white supremacy in Italy's African colonies and adopted anti-Semitic rhetoric for the sake of an alliance with Germany.

It is important to note that Nazism is not a necessary component of fascism. Thus, the fascist regimes of Salazar in Portugal, Franco in Spain or Pinochet in Chile were deprived of the theory of racial superiority fundamental to Nazism.