Book Review: Fascism: Comparing and Definition by Stanley G. Payne

 Book Format:

Author: Stanley G. Payne

Book Title: "Fascism: Comparing and Definition"

Publisher: The University of Wisconsin Press

Published: 1980

Chapter: Nine (9)

Pages: 234

Meaning of Fascism:

The word fascism stems from the Italian word fascio, which means bundle to represent bundles of people. The notion of fascism can be traced to the Ancient Rome era when the fasces was a bundle of wood with an axe head carried by leaders.

Political Spectrum:

The political system is divided into two distinct campaigns—the right side of the political spectrum and the left side—the right side advocates for a free market or liberalism—the left side advocates for social programs. Applying a political system to a precise point of the political spectrum is difficult because political ideologies are broad and could stretch on the political spectrum. Therefore, it creates many political terminologies of ism. 

Location of Fascism on the Political Spectrum:

Author Stanley G. Payne mentions in his book that the mean intention of the political actors is to control the national economy. The political actors also provide a space for entrepreneurs to participate in their country's economic growth.

Author Thomas J. Dilorenzo in his book "The Problem with Socialism," asserts that communism is a form of fascism because the means of production are controlled by the state actors and provide a small margin of entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, any form of state with 99% of the national economy is a form of fascism. 

Emerging of Fascism:

In 1918, World War I ended (1914 to 1918), and the European countries' institutions crumbled under four years of ruthless wars. There was an urgency to rebuild the countries within the peace framework, as some liberal thinkers established the League of Nations. However, some actors and individuals felt ashamed. They were humiliated for losing the war like Hitler and wanted to regain the glory of Germany by injecting the Social Darwinism theory into their institutions. 

The Social Darwin theory developed the notion of "survival of the fittest"—that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better than others due to their genetic composition. Social Darwinism became a capstone to justify eugenics, racism, imperialism and social inequality.

Weakness of Fascism:

Benito Mussolini (July 29, 1883, April 28, 1945) became the head of state of Italy. He implemented the notion of totalitarianism in a positive light for fascism because the state had 99% of control of the economy.

The characteristics of fascism cultivate an atmosphere of hate among members of the communities because it relies on the following political behaviour:

1. "A violent, dictatorial agent of bourgeois capitalism.
2. A twentieth-century form of "Bonapartism"
3. The expression of a unique radicalism of the middle classes
4. The consequences of a unique national histories
5. The product of a cultural or moral breakdown
6. A unique metapolitical phenomenon
7. The result of extreme neurotic or pathological psycho-social impulses
8. The product of the rise of amorphous masses
9. A typical manifestation of twentieth-century totalitarianism
10. A revolt against modernization
11. The consequences of a certain stage of socioeconomic growth or a phase in the development sequence
12. The denial that such general phenomenon as generic fascism can be defined." Page 178

The fascist system has the absence of an electoral system. In a democratic system, the political system reflects the will and the people's consent. The political parties seek public attention to act in the best interest of their constituencies to garner votes during election time, and one party that receives the most votes from the voters forms a government because it has the consent and the will of the people to legislate laws. However, a fascist system has one visionary leader who believes in what is suitable for everyone and ignores the complexity of social, economic and political issues.

In conclusion, a fascist system is a death trap for a visionary leader who "feels father knows best," like Hitler and Mussolini met their destiny due to their political system.

Spreading Around the Globe:

The author mentions the ideology of fascism does not reside in the European continent. It spread in Latin America and Japan.

Prospect of Fascism:

The prospect of fascism flourishing one more time in western countries is less likely due to the strong presence of liberalism.

Outcome:

As a novice Political Science student striving to learn the ideology of fascism to avoid fascism, I acquired a significant amount of knowledge by reading the book. I recommend it to others to read it to improve themselves and become better people.