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Which core features distinguish fascism from other authoritarian ideologies such as conservatism, communism, and authoritarian populism?
Executive summary
Fascism is a distinct form of authoritarian politics that combines militant ultranationalism, mass mobilization, and a revolutionary aim to remake society — not merely conserve it — often fused with militarism, anti‑liberalism and anti‑communism [1] [2]. Scholars emphasize features that set fascism apart from conservatism, communist authoritarianism, and contemporary authoritarian populism: a cult of the nation and leader, a drive for total social commitment and violence as political method, and a self‑conscious revolutionary style [1] [3] [4].
1. Revolutionary zeal vs. conservative preservation
Historians like Ian Kershaw argue the clearest contrast is intent: many right‑wing authoritarian movements aim to conserve existing social orders, while fascism seeks revolutionary transformation and “total commitment” from society to remake national life [1]. Britannica’s survey of fascist movements underscores that fascism contains aspirations for cultural “regeneration” and the creation of a new social order — ambitions that go beyond traditional conservative defense of institutions [3].
2. Ultranationalism and the primacy of the nation
Fascism places the nation above the individual and treats the populace as instruments of a national destiny; encyclopedic definitions describe it as an ultranationalist political philosophy that subordinates personal rights to state aims [1]. That nationalism is ideological and often mythic — invoking a purified past and cultural revival — and differs from the more institution‑oriented or tradition‑based rhetoric of mainstream conservatism [1] [3].
3. Mass mobilization, cult of leadership, and totalizing style
Fascist movements seek mass mobilization — rallies, party organizations, and propaganda that cultivate a leader cult and total social commitment — which contrasts with many authoritarian regimes that prioritize elite control and limited political pluralism without sustained mythic mass integration [1] [5]. Britannica and Fiveable note fascism’s emphasis on symbolic spectacle, militarism, and the exultation of certain social groups as part of its style [3] [5].
4. Violence, militarism, and expansionism as tools and goals
Multiple sources identify violence and the readiness for war as distinguishing features: fascism glorifies aggression, sees conflict as regenerative, and often pursues expansionist goals — traits not intrinsic to all authoritarianisms or to conservatism [2] [5]. ThoughtCo and Fiveable put particular stress on militarism and a state permanently prepared for conflict as part of fascist doctrine [2] [5].
5. Anti‑liberal, anti‑communist program but distinct from communist authoritarianism
Fascism combines a militant rejection of liberal democracy and socialism/communism — its “fascist negations” include anti‑communism and anti‑liberalism — yet it is not simply the mirror of communist authoritarianism because fascism’s organizing principle is ultranationalist regeneration rather than class revolution led by the proletariat [1]. Britannica outlines debates about whether fascism is a radical movement akin to Jacobinism or an extreme conservative backlash; both perspectives appear in the scholarship [3].
6. Thin‑centered populism vs. a thick ideological program
Contemporary analysts caution that populism is a “thin” ideology that can attach to many “thick” doctrines; authoritarian populism shares features (anti‑elite rhetoric, majoritarianism) with fascism but lacks the full fascist package of revolutionary nationalism, mass militarized mobilization, and systematic glorification of violence unless combined with a broader fascist ideology [6] [4]. Fair Observer and the Definitions of Fascism entry stress that the modern boundary between authoritarian populism and fascism can blur, but important qualitative differences remain [4] [1].
7. Scholarly disagreement and limits of definitions
Scholars disagree on which features are essential: Stanley G. Payne offers multi‑part lists (negations/goals/style), while others emphasize social or psychological origins; even Ian Kershaw warned that “defining fascism is like trying to nail jelly to the wall” [1]. Britannica highlights long debates over whether fascism is best seen as radical, conservative, or anxious reaction — a reminder that classification depends on which historical examples and traits a scholar privileges [3].
8. Practical takeaway for distinguishing ideologies today
Use a checklist approach: does the movement combine ultranationalist rhetoric, a leader cult and mass mobilization, a revolutionary remaking of society, systematic glorification of violence/militarism, and explicit anti‑liberal/anti‑communist negations? If most elements appear together, scholars are likelier to label it fascist; if power is centralized but lacks the ideological mass‑mobilizing project or militarist expansionism, “authoritarian” or “authoritarian populist” may be more apt [1] [4].
Limitations: current sources summarize academic debates and historical characteristics but do not provide a single, uncontested checklist; definitions remain contested in the literature [1] [3].