On defining the ‘Fascist Minimum

The centrality of ideology

Bibliographic Data

ID6293263
AuthorsRoger Eatwell (University of Bath, corresponding author)
Year1996
Volume1
Issue3
Pages303-319
Publication date1996-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Political Ideologies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1356-9317 • E-ISSN: 1469-9613
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13569319608420743
OpenAlexW2081348789
LanguageEN
Citations received41
References cited55

Much of the vast literature on fascism adopts a socio‐economic approach to the problem of definition. Developing from a review of the recent works on three major commentators who have adopted a more political approach to the problem of definition (Zeev Sternhell, Stanley Payne and Roger Griffin), this article argues that fascism was a genuine ideology and that it is best defined in these terms. Generic fascism, transcending place and time, is identified as 'an ideology that strives to forge social rebirth based on a holistic‐national radical Third Way, though in practice fascism has tended to stress style, especially action and the charismatic leader, more than detailed programme, and to engage in a Manichaean demonisation of its enemies.' Adopting this definition helps give important insights into why successful fascist movements attracted a remarkably diverse social support, and to central aspects of fascist regimes' policies

Centrality · Epistemology · Ideology · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Statistics · Communism, Protests, Social Movements · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · Italian Fascism and Post-war Society · Law · Mathematics · Philosophy