• After WWI, Europe saw a rise in dictatorial regimes. Fascist-style movements popped up everywhere.
• The term "fasci" (meaning "group") first described Sicilian rebels in the 1890s.
• Mussolini connected "fascism" to the Roman symbol of authority (rods wrapped around an axe) to connect with the Roman legacy.

• No solid founding doctrine; varies globally.
• Key Features
  • Ultranationalism: Intense love for one's nation.
  • One-party state: Only one political party in control.
  • Strong leader or dictator.
  • Emphasis on imperialism and war.
  • Aims for a nation's rebirth and a new modern culture.
• Fascism opposes liberal societies' individual rights and logic, emphasizing emotion, instinct, and the nation's importance.

Real-world Example: Herbert Spence took Darwin's evolution theories and placed them in society. Think of it like this: when you play a competitive video game, only the strongest players or teams win. Spence saw society and conflict in this same light — a continuous battle where only the strongest survive.

• "For the Fascist, everything is in the State." This means Fascism is all-encompassing and totalitarian.
• Fascism's stance
  • Strongly against communism.
  • Against multi-party democracy.
  • Against "internationalism" or global cooperation.
  • Opposes pacifism.
• Mussolini's view: Fascism was the complete opposite of socialism and democratic ideologies.

• Everything exists within the state.
• Anti-communist.
• Against liberal democracy.
• Opposed to internationalism and pacifism.

Real-world Example: Think of a school group project where one student wants to dictate all the terms and doesn't allow for other ideas. This student's approach can be compared to how fascists view governance.