Fascism emerges whenever democratic leader fails to deliver what people under rule expect — D.H.Gutte
The ultimate goal of Fascist regime is to compel people to think about only nation. In short, its growth, strength, and pride is everything for everyone, and they should ready to sacrifice for nation.
We are aware of that horrific phase of history when such extreme tendencies bought the whole world on the verge of danger. Even today, understanding fascist ideology is essential as it is showing its symptoms once again.
Understanding difference between Fascism and Neofascism
In the process of understanding difference between fascism and neofascism, I’m going to differentiate each term with great clarity.
Salient features of Fascist ideology
Fascism is a right wing political ideology or belief. Its primary goal is to control power in the authoritarian style. And, it forces people to accept the supremacy of nation and its pride on the mercy of individual rights.
1.Nationalism or nationalistic agenda
Nationalism is a core of fascism or fascist regime. Individual is a only means to uphold the pride of nation. Simply, individual is subordinated to the pride and glory of nation. This is the destiny of people who live or experienced the horror earlier.
2.Demonization of weaker under fascist regime
Racial, ethnic, or minority scapegoating is an important ingredient to ensure the flavour of nationalism to last longer. For example, In Germany, Jews were demonised as an anti national.
Specifically, they finds two types of scapegoats: inside and outside of the nation to infuse the sense of fear to mobilize people as band or coherent group.
Under Trump rule, same tactics were employed targetting minority, as well as immigrants of poor nations.
In India, right wing political parties openly targeted minorities inside and neighbouring countries outside to infuse the sense of fear.
3.Misinformation propaganda by fascist
It is like murdering the original truth. They target personalities, history and events. People under fascist regime frequently has been bombarded with half truths or misinformation to convince people in favour them.
Fascist regimes try out this tactic to woo voters and people. Simply, it is an attempt to convince people that they are the only well wishers of their nation and they should have right to rule to uphold the pride and glory of nation.
4.Demogogic approach by fascist
Really, not possible to attract people by reason but emotion. Emotional appeals and hate speeches have great role for fascist to mobilize people and stay in power.
Social media platforms, gathering, conferences, are organised to channelize the appeals and threats.
Simplifying difference between Fascism and neofascism
In the first half of the twentieth century, our world saw one of the worst phase of fascist movements and oppressive dictatorships predominantly in the Europe in particular and in certain pockets of other parts including Japan. Understanding the repercussions of fascism and neofascism, we need to do our best to keep ourselves and democratic regimes safe.
After devastating wars which manifested the fragility of human being, great leaders realised the threat of fascist movements and either dismantled or banned officially. But, today, the offshoots of fascism and neofascism are raising ugly heads in the different parts of the world forcing us to beware about possible danger.
Fascism is a political belief or ideology aims to take control of power to establish authoritarian regime with the help of armed forces, nationalist agenda, demogogic approach to mobilize people, and violence.
Between 1919 to 1945 or till the end of second World War, fascism or fascist movements and regimes were predominant in the various parts of Europe including Italy, Germany, and eastern Europe.
Moreover, its noticeable presence were found in other parts like South Africa, Japan, Latin American countries etc.
But, with the end of second World War, the movement were almost disappeared or became dormant in traces.
Understanding Neofascism– meaning and example
Neofascism is a right wing belief or movement that resurrected after second World War in the same pockets in lesser degree and following.
Unlike old fascism, neofascist have slightly different ideas like opposition to liberal individualism, Marxism or left wing ideologies, racist scapegoating, and anti-immigration movements in Europe and America.
Anti-immigration movements in Europe, America and other regions against Asian, African and Mexican immigrants were the best example of neofascist movements.
If we compare fascist with neofascist, later didn’t interest in military conquest nor in autocratic regime, but they wanted to implement agenda by the means of democratic ways.
The national front in france and The liberal democratic party in Russia are the examples of Neofascism.
Major characteristics of Fascist regime
Benito Mussolini was the first fascist leader of Italy who began the fascist movements. And, Japanese prime minister Hideki Tojo was the last who ordered to attack Pearl Harbour of US.
Totalitarian or authoritarian regime
Usually, all the fascist regimes across the world in the first half of the twentieth century were autocratic and totalitarian in nature. Absolute concentration of power and no value for personal rights.
Militaristic nationalism and cultural chauvinism
In line with imperialism, emphasis were given to capture more states or “Living space”. Hence, the armed forces were centre of such regimes with intense armed race.
Further, cultural and national chauvinism regarding specific culture were also a major feature of fascism. In other words, government is committed to protect culture of majority opposing plurality.
Supremacy of nation
Obviously, national pride and glory was above the rights of individuals and it is the binding duty of citizens to uphold national supremacy at all costs. Simply, everything is justified on the name of national interests. Oppressive means and violence were chosen as the means to control opponents.
Apart from these, control of financial resources or means of production, rule by political elites,and demogogic approach to mobilize people and provoke them were also identified as major characteristics.
These were the major characteristics of fascist movements or regimes we saw and read about in the first half of the twentieth century.
Current state of fascism and neofascism
Recently, I have read about the Forza Nuova, neofascist party in Italy, which was in news regarding violent protests against the introduction of mandatory health passes for workers.
Italy’s upper house Senate asked government to dissolve this right wing party responsible for anti-immigration protests — (Reuters)
Concern of Timothy Synder
“We are rapidly ripening for fascism. This American writer (Timothy Synder — Book On Tyranny) leaves us with no illusions about ourselves.” — Svetlann Alexievich, winner of the noble prize in literature.
On tyranny (Twenty lessons from twentieth century) Book authored by Timothy Synder. He is American author and well known about the views on fascist movements and regimes in Europe.
His recent views in his book “on tyranny” are an eye opener regarding the rising tentacles of Fascist tendencies and stressed on the strengthening democracies.
Donald Trump and Neo fascism
There were many examples we can highlight in the tenure of Donald Trump that are signalling the resurgence of buried ghost “Fascism”.
Anti-immigration movements, fencing border, Post Truth, America first policy, racist scapegoating are enough to prove what is going to happen in the world’s powerful nation.
Down the line, coup in Myanmar, anarchy in Belarus, incidents of Ukraine, Italy, and different parts of the world, the elements of Neofascism have been mushrooming slowly but steadily.
Last thought on difference between Fascism and Neofascism,
Like ours fore-fathers, we need to protect the most benevolent regime of democracy and it’s principles from being threatened by these authoritarian tendencies.
Basically, by the means of Dhgutte knowledge base in general and fascist and Neofascist ideology in particular, my attempt is to make you aware about the true nature of fascism and fascist regimes.
Here, we should not forget the step taken to ban Fascism officially from where it was once emerged.
Solved Questions on the difference between fascism and Neofascism
Here are some useful examples of Solved questions on the topic of fascism and Neofascism.
Q. 1. What is the basic difference between fascism and Neofascism?
Ans Fascism is a right wing political ideology or belief. Its primary goal is to control power in the authoritarian style. And, it forces people to accept the supremacy of nation and its pride on the mercy of individual rights.
Unlike old fascism, neofascist have slightly different ideas like opposition to liberal individualism, Marxism or left wing ideologies, racist scapegoating, and anti-immigration movements in Europe and America.
Anti-immigration movements in Europe, America and other regions against Asian, African and Mexican immigrants were the best example of neofascist movements.
Classification of Political ideologies