Fas|cism

Fas|cism «FASH ihz uhm», noun.

1. the form of government in Italy from 1922 to 1943, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. It was ruled by a dictator, with strong control of industry and labor by the central government, great restrictions upon the freedom of individuals, and extreme nationalism and militarism. It was opposed to radical socialism and communism.

2. the doctrines, principles, or methods of the Fascists.

╂[< Italian fascismo < fascio bundle (as political emblem) < Latin fascis bundle]

Usage Fascism is capitalized when it refers to the Italian Fascist party and movement, as we capitalize Republican and Democrat in this country. When the word refers to a movement in another country in which the party has a different name, it need not be capitalized but often is. When it refers to the general idea of fascist politics, or to an organized fascist tendency, it is not capitalized.

fas|cism «FASH ihz uhm», noun.

1. any system of government in which property is privately owned, but all industry and labor are regulated by a strong national government, while all opposition is rigorously suppressed: »

A basic idea of fascism was: Everyone shall work, but no one shall work against the state (Emory S. Bogardus).

2. the doctrines, principles, or methods of such a government or of a political party favoring such a government.

3. any movement favoring such a system of government.

4. = Fascism. (Cf. ↑Fascism)

╂[< Fascism]

Usage See Fascism for usage note. (Cf. ↑Fascism)