Core concepts, axioms and driving ideas in Classical Fascism (1919-1945).

Authors

  • JOAN ANTÓN MELLÓN

Keywords:

fascism, palingenesic ultra-nationalism, political violence.

Abstract

This article presents and explores the axioms and driving ideas behind Fascist ideologies in the first third of the twentieth century. The aim is to identify the features that define the term “Classical Fascism” as a conceptual category in the study of politics and to uncover the core ideas of its political theory. I start by proposing a generic model of Classical Fascism, based on a comparison of three frequently cited definitions by R. O Paxton, R. Griffin and N. Bobbio. I test this model through an appraisal of texts written by J. A. Primo de Rivera, B. Mussolini and C. Codreanu. Classical Fascism is characterized by an anti-democratic palingenesic ultra-nationalism underpinned by a sacralized ideology; the quest for a united, indissoluble society as a political system; and third, violence as a political vehicle, exercised amorally and a-legally against internal and external enemies with the final aim of exalting the imperial fatherland.

Published

2009-11-18