Fascism is a political ideology that was tested in this century in Germany and Italy and that was thoroughly discredited in the eyes of the world by the conclusion of World War II. The form taken by fascism, as well as the impetus for its adoption, differed in Germany and Italy. Italian fascism was shaped by Benito Mussolini and his followers, while fascism in Germany was twisted to serve the needs and social and political beliefs of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party. Attitudes toward other racial groups was one of the key differences, along with the emphasis placed on aspects of economic organization, social classes, and visions of society.
Eugen Weber makes a distinction between fascism, such as was seen in Italy, and National Socialism, the German manifestation. He believes that people tend to confuse the two. Yet, he also finds that there are a number of elements which the two seem to share, and some indeed which they seem to share with Communism, another social and political movement with which they were in competition. Among these elements are the following:
1) maintenance of capitalism (clearly not shared by Communism);
2) intensification of capitalist dictatorship (Communist dictatorship being of a different order);
3) limitation and repression of independent working-class movements and the building up of a system of organized class cooperation;
4) revolt against parliamentary democracy;
5) extending the state monopolist organization of industry and finance;
6) closer concentration of each imperialist bloc into a single economic-political unit; and
7) increasing imperialist antagonisms leading to war.
Hitler's views on fascism and National Socialism are embodied in his work Mein Kampf and begin with an analysis of history. Hitler took his lead from the economic and social conditions he saw around him. After World War I, Germany felt punished by the victors, who placed conditions on Ger...