Civics 101: What is "Fascism"?

And where are the most notable examples? A quick lesson and some trivia!

May 01, 2025

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🧠 Civics 101: What Is Fascism?
Welcome to a special issue: Civics 101. Today we’re talking about a word that’s been thrown around a lot recently: fascism.

📚️ 

Civics 101
What Is Fascism?

🏛 Civics 101: What is Fascism?

Definition
Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology marked by dictatorial power, extreme nationalism, suppression of opposition, and strong control over society and the economy — often with militaristic and violent undertones. It’s the opposite of a liberal democracy, which supports individual rights and freedoms. Another key trait of fascism is an obsessive and cult-like admiration of a leader.

A Quick History

  • The term gained popularity in 1920s Italy under Benito Mussolini, who was a member of the Fascist party and whose regime became the blueprint for fascist governments.

  • Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, also exemplified many elements of a fascist government, such as being a hyper-nationalist government and utilizing propaganda. In fact, they took it a step further, fusing it with racial ideology and genocide. Note: whether or not Nazi Germany was technically a Fascist government is debated, but there were indisputable similarities.

  • After WWII, fascism was widely rejected, but fringe movements persisted.

How Fascism Rises
Fascist movements often grow in times of:

  • Economic instability

  • Fear of cultural or demographic change

  • Distrust in democratic institutions

  • Strongman appeals and obsessive admiration of a leader (“only I can fix it” rhetoric)

Why It’s in the News Today

  • Political commentators, historians, and activists increasingly reference fascism when describing attacks on democratic norms, political violence, censorship, or authoritarian tendencies in leaders or movements worldwide.

  • Terms like “fascist” are sometimes overused — but learning the actual characteristics helps us recognize real warning signs from false alarms.

🧠 Trivia Time:

Q: Which two countries are most historically associated with fascist governments in the 20th century?
A: Italy and Germany.

That’s all for now! See you on Monday.

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