I did not want to hijack the Communist/Theocracy thread, but I did want to try to answer the people who had questions about fascism. I will try and give the best description I can, but direct questions would be better.
Fascism has its origins in the Spartan governmental system, not Mussolini(although of course it got its name from his movement). There are a lot of misconceptions about the ideology because of how it was instituted in the '30s.
These days, fascism is essentially a heavily regulated capitalist meritocracy. The military and the industrial sectors are the most valued components of society, and that is where the leadership is primarily drawn from. The two distinct groups keep each other in check. Instead of the popularity contests voted on by the feeble public of a democracy, or the innumerable problems caused by hereditary power, fascist society is ruled by those that have proven themselves the best among their peers.
Fascism promotes a class system based on merit. Those who prove themselves intelligent, diligent, and committed advance in society, while those who are less than stellar are not burdened with the responsibility of leadership or voting. Why should the opinion of a stupid, lazy man count the same as a smart, hard working one?
A fascist society is based in tradition and promotes nationalism. Unlike communism, fascism embraces cultural tradition and idealizes national heroes and advancements. Conservative in nature, the government promotes education in the sciences, and culturally significant forms of art. (Substantive, not crap)
Most importantly, fascism emphasizes competition. Idyllic fascist society enables the best to rise to the top and lead the others. Unlike communism and republicanism which emphasizes equality among all, fascism promotes the idea that people are inherently unequal, and the best people deserve the best places in society.
A fascist nation is only answerable to itself. It acts in its own best interest first and foremost. Whether this means war or peace, the betterment of the nation and its people come first before all other considerations.
Of course, the fatal flaw with this system that caused such problems in the 20th century was leadership. Mussolini bullied himself in, while Hitler swooned an uneducated public.
Power would be split between a group of the top leaders in the nation and a supreme leader. How this power would be distributed and, more importantly, how the institutions would initially come into being are fundamental issues that make fascism difficult to establish correctly in a nation.
Fascism is not necessarily racism, state sponsored homicide, or warfare.
Now then, feel free to tear it apart. I will be happy to answer any genuine questions, and maybe some insults as well. ~:P
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