Fascism Is Not Coherent and It Is Not Ethically Justifiable, Essay Example

Introduction

The theory of fascism came into existence in the period that was marked with turbulence in political and social history in Italy. A decade-plus some years has passed since the Fascists March in Rome took place. However, the movement of these fascists lacks a clear identity. It is believed that fascism is to a large extent a generation that was being tested under war. Subsequent to the First World War, there have been dramatic changes that made the affected generation refuse to continue with their past way of life. The affected generations were strongly in desire of fascism, including Mussolini. According to Fascists, the movement transformed the parliamentary system from the confused and the complicated authorities that were applied among people. The ideas of ultra-nationalism, social Darwinism, and utopianism significantly affect fascism. As a result, it was easy for a party to come up and maintain support from the rest, so long as the parties offered change in the society. However, there was the need for the fascists to come up with a clear doctrine, especially when the party has the desire to be taken seriously for a longer period. This implies that the idea of fascism is not coherent, and unethically justifiable as it violets democracy.

Fascism id not coherent and not ethically justifiable

According to Heyward (2003, 215); the idea of fascism is believed to have originated from Rome. The word signifies the rod bundles that are fitted with an axe blade, which depicts authority of the magistrates in imperial Rome. The term Fascia became popular in Italy in 1980s where; it was used to refer to a political band or group, which comprised of revolutionary socialists. Later, Mussolini used the term fascism to refer to the paramilitary armed squad that he formed in the period prior and subsequent to World War I. The period marked the start of the meaningfulness of the term fascism. The political terms usually apply the use of the term fascism randomly and without precision. The word is used pejoratively as a term that signifies political abuse. In as much as fascism can be easily equated with dictatorship; it should never be used alternatively with repression. There are specified values and theories that inspire the minds of fascists. This explains the new forms of political rules that developed in the period around the 1920s and the 1930s.

It is critical to note that unlike socialism, liberalism, and conservatism fascism came into existence in the 20^th Century, whereas the latter came into existence in the 19^th Century. Fascism came into existence to revolt against modernity, discourage values and ideas that lead to enlightenment, and exercise spawned political creeds. The Nazis of Germany and Italy are some of the communities, which practiced Fascism. In 1789, the Nazi’s proclaimed its abolishment. In Italy, the fascist slogans, including authority, obey, order, fight, and believe were replaced by justice that was encouraged during French Revolution. According to O’Sullivan of 1983, fascism was more of a political world, which aimed at destroying the political thought principle (Shamy, 2010, 260).

In as much as the idea of fascism came into existence in the nineteenth century, the idea was coined by World War I. This implies that the war and the revolution were the main components of fascism in Germany and Italy.  In Italy, the Fascists party came into existence in 1919. This party came into existence through Benito Mussolini. In 1922, Mussolini became the prime minister. This accelerated the existence of a fascist state party that was fully developed come 1926 (Heywood, 2003, 220).

Similarly, (Shamy, 2010, 263) argues that in Germany, the party of the National Socialist German Workers also referred to the Nazi’s came into existence in 1919, with Hitler as the leader. The party consciously followed into the footsteps followed by the Mussolini’s fascists. In 1933, Hitler became the chancellor of Germany through appointment. A year after the appointment, Germany was ruled under Nazi dictatorship. This period was marked by a collapse of democracy, which was overthrown in various parts of Europe.

Sarwar & Chaudhary (2012, 108) asserts that the origin and meaning of fascism has attracted significant interest among historians. The idea has raised fierce disagreements because there is no single factor that can represent the rise of fascism. Contrarily, fascism is believed to have emerged out of complex and varied range of historical incidents that remained prevalent during the inter-war period. Initially, democratic governments had been established in varied sections of Europe. However, the political values that exercised democracy never replaced the old, autocratic rules and values. Additionally, the democratic governments, which seek to represent the coalition of parties or interests remained unstable and weak, especially when they were attacked by the political and economic issues. The social Darwinism was prevalent in the society as strong leadership gave rise to personal rule, which had a powerful appeal.

Additionally, Shekhovtsov (2009, 431) holds that the society of the European experienced disruption that resulted from industrialization. The process of industrialization weakened the lower middle class population, including craftsmen, small businessmen, shopkeepers, and farmers. These groups were stridden by the rising organized power and the increasing might of big businesses. The lower and middle class members of the society were the great supporters of fascists. Fascism remained hostile to both communism and the capitalists.

Further, Roberts (2011, 239); Russian revolution significantly affect the aftermath of World War I. The class that had property lived in fear of social revolution. They believed that the situation would extend in different parts of Europe. The political and financial interests of the fascist groups originated as interests. This explains why Marxist historians termed fascism as a type of counter-revolution. This was an attempt by the group of bourgeois to stick in power by supporting the fascist dictators.

Additionally, the global economic crisis that took place in 1930s swayed the democracies that were already fragile. The increasing cases of economic failure and unemployment created a thriving environment for the crisis. Most of the pessimists were vulnerable for exploitation by the demagogues, and political extremists (Dale, 2010, 271).

Finally, it is critical to note that there were still unresolved issues that existed internationally after World War I. This gave rise to a bitter inheritance among the nationalists who became frustrated. The situation led to the need for revenge among the bitter parties. The tensions of the nationalists were highly felt among the poor nations, which experienced defeat in the war, as the case with Germany. Similarly, the nations that were not happy with the Versailles peace settlement terms, such as Japan and Italy were also affected with the tension. The experience of the nations in the war also played a critical role in fascism. This is because it generated a specifically militant type of nationalism, which was instilled in the militaristic values (Breschi 2012, 410).

Similarly, Social Darwinism refers to a modern term used to describe different theories in the society. The term originally came from the United States and England in the period around 1870s. Generally, the theory holds that strong people based on the political and social capabilities have the capability of ensuring increased power and wealth. On the other hand, the weak continue to experience a reduction of wealth and power Shamy (2010, 264).

Further, ultra-nationalism is a term used to describe fervent nationalism that shows extremist support for the ideals found in a person’s nation. In an ultra-national situation, the natives aims at reducing or stopping the immigration, and doing away or even oppressing the population of non-natives in a nation and the territories within the nation. Countries or states that practices ultra-nationalism experience conflict, or can even result in a pre-war situation within national politics. Ultranationalists enforce policies in law that discourages international trade. This is usually dome through the use of tariffs. Such countries and states view non-natives as enemies that threaten the survival of the natives. In extreme cases, ultra-nationalism is seen as a strategy that initiates war against a nation’s enemies, genocide, especially in situations comprised of ethnocentrist ultra-nationalism, or even secession (Shamy, 2010, 266).

Further, utopia refers to a society or community that is made up of qualities that are perfect and desirable. The word Utopia was coined by Sir More from Greek. Sir More used the term Utopia in the 1516 book to make a description of the fiction island of the society in Atlantic Ocean. Utopia is used to make a description of intentional societies that aim at coming up with an ideal society. The resulting society is an imagined society that is depicted in fiction. The idea has given rise to other ideas, which are commonly referred to as dystopia.

The considerations that take place in the recent politics in dealing with matters of identity and culture do not capture an emerging trend that prevails in the political practice. This plays a vital role in the philosophical questions for the normative political theory. There are two view points, which can be used to correct identity politics. Firstly, identity politics can be examined between the left and right. Secondly, the distinction that separates the policies that discourse justifies and the normative discourse plays a vital role in identifying the three main accounts of politics that influences the cultural turn, including liberal and conservative nationalism, and the multiculturalism. The newly emergent position of liberalism identity captures the politics of identity. Identity liberalism refers to the perspective that makes use of progressive identity-based normative discourse. This is normally considered a preserve of multicultural left in order to cover for the assimilation of right-wing politics (Tebble, 2006, 472).

Freedom of expression remains a critical area of discourse among writers and artists. The erosion of culture and discrimination exists among citizens of all ages and sexes. The practice has extended to employment law and practices. The practice accelerates the need for justice, equality, identity, and democracy. The issues and images remain familiar. However, their lack of concern on economic distribution marks the issue as an existing political practice Tebble (2006, 465).

According to Tebble (2006, 469); different writers have documented the new social movements, which took place in the period around the 1960s and the 1970s in the form of a political theory.  These movements have been designed to fight for the rights of the groups that experience marginalization in the society. These groups include the ethnic minorities, women, and the gay people. These views on the political rally can be referred to as the emerging cultural politics. These politics remains a common occurrence in the streets of North America, Western Europe, and Australian cities. The right and the left alike have been concerned with identity and culture from the historical times. However, the difference comes in the instance when the right was notably spotted to be involved with these issues from the 1980s.

Further, there have also been arguments that concerned the character and nature of Nazi since the period around 1920. The existence of the Nazi phenomena tends to recast the shape in Europe as striking political movements from 1917 at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. In 1922, there was the emergence of Mussolini’s March on Rome. In 1920, comintern theorists started placing Nazism in the category of fascism made through the crisis of capitalism. Later, bourgeois writers started linking the right and the left as enemies of combined totalitarian democracy (Kershaw, 2000, 25).

The debate on fascism was intensified during the Nazi rule, which took two sides. On one side, the Comintern defining term for fascism was finalized through analyses of fascism using the left-wing theorists. This took place in the west in 1935. On the other hand, the fascism was determined through an increasing readiness of the democracies in the west and the USA. This theory gave two faces to fascism, which were represented in Soviet Communism and Nazism. This view is prevalent in the Nazi Soviet Non Aggression pact that took place in 1939 (Kershaw, 2000, 28).

According to Paxton (2005, 18); the most notable political development of the twentieth century was fascism. However, other urban political revolutions took place between the mid of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century. These were socialism, conservatism and liberalism. They were considered major early nineteenth century political novelties, but fascism came out as the most outstanding one. The image that fascism presents is one that is clear and easy to understand. It entails all acts of dictatorship, where the central government is in control over everything under the sun in a given geographical setting. Also included in the image of fascism is total intolerance to opposition of the government in power. The suppressed are forced to bear with the situation with only the brave enough to stand imprisonment and other punitive actions willing to speak their minds.

A lot of people consider fascism to be an ideology. Fascists, especially the ones holding powerful positions in government claim to be ideological prophets. An example is Mussolini who boasted of the power enjoyed by fascists. A fascist is, therefore, one who champions fascist ideas and ensure that the intended group gets to respond as expected. They use the fascist ideas to shape how the world becomes. Philosophers of the early periods of time played significant roles in the creation of the room that saw the success of fascism. They did this by making the elite’s connection to education less strong. This contributed to massive ignorance hence could not stage revolutions or defiance’s against the government. The early intellects misled the people by alleging that the French revolutions main cause was the inability of the government then to maintain its citizens hence fascism was the best prevention measure against this (Breschi, 2012, 410).

Paxton (2005, 18) asserts that the word fascism requires an urgent recovery from loose use rather than being abandoned. A well-known movement it is, crowned as a nineteenth century political novelty. Liberalism however is worse than fascism hence, might require the change of name. It is important for one to accept that fascism exists hence, a compilation of all the many forms should be made, and all the data entered say, in an encyclopedia. It is now correct to say that fascism came as a result of the successful process of choice, starting from bidding for power, alliances formations and having an extreme number of people.

Conclusion

The nature of Fascism remains non-coherent and difficult to justify ethically because of the varied events that contributed to the rise of fascism. Industrial revolution, social identity, ultranationalism, social Darwinism all played a vital role in development of fascism. Nazism, for example was coined under  unique phenomena in different respects. However, the uniqueness of the fascism can be exceptionally attributed to the leader when viewed from a superficial angle. Despite the protesting nature of humans, fascism remains an unclear phenomenon. This is because the ideology can never be ethically justified.

Bibliography

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