What is FASCISM?

SOURCES:
The Anatomy of Fascism, by Robert O. Paxton
Fascism, by Stanley G. Payne
Fascism, by Roger Griffin
A History of Fascism, 1914–1945, by Stanley G. Payne
The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind, by Gustave Le Bon

Music:
Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen - Before Daybreak
Magnus Ludvigsson - Valse Triste Niçoise
Gavin Luke - Late Night Sketches
Gavin Luke - Chance Encounter
Magnus Ludvigsson - Circus Leaving Town
Franz Gordon - Theme for Autumn
Franz Gordon - Raincoat Waltz
Rikard From - Hidden Beneath

[HorsesOnYT]

ADDENDUM:
Fascism is a controversial topic. What I hope to have presented here is, however, a nonpartisan description of generic fascism based on authoritative academic sources and the general consensus among these sources. These sources are listed in the video’s description.

This video exists to provide a framework for understanding and identifying fascist movements (and the situations in which they thrive). It is not a narrative history of fascist philosophy. It is not a critique on any current political movements.

There is a correction I'd like to make for this video: At 3:14, this video shows the Spanish Primo de Rivera in front of a Mexican flag. This was, of course, a mistake. I don't feel this fundamentally changes the message of the video in any way, but I am sorry for the error.

Economics of Fascism
There is some disagreement amongst scholars on whether fascism has a recognizable economic system. The sources used in making this video unanimously agree that fascism has no such system, and that various fascist leaders did not work towards a common economic goal. Some scholars, additionally, argue that fascism is characterized by an lack of economic goals entirely. I have listed sources on screen during this video to substantiate certain economic descriptions, because this topic specifically is liable to some disagreement.

Totalitarianism as the Goal of Fascism
Fascism’s unifying aim is not a totalitarian system. No fascist regime has ever put forth a cohesive, complex enough plan to enact complete totalitarianism. Even Nazi germany is not widely recognized as totalitarian by political historians.

Nazis as fascists

As always, thank you for watching. I love you all <3

-Michael

[ssnaut]

Mom sending me to bed by 8 pm was fascism

[austin]

“Fascism can’t be defined in a single sentence”
Reddit in shambles

[sirfafa]

There is a mistake in minute 3:15 you said "Mexican fascism" but the person on the right is José Antonio Primo de Rivera. He was a spanish fascism representant that founded La falange española, not mexican. Good video btw

[matthewjones]

Fascism is when people disagree with me

[AndurCarr]

It should probably be mentioned that 'fasces' has more cultural significance to Italians than merely a bundle of sticks. It was a tool for the 'lictors' (enforcers) of ancient Roman authority figures to administer corporal punishment at will. It is a symbol not only of unity, but of strength, power, and the regimentation of society.

[MissVanHelsing]

I've gone on lots of internet searches and down many rabit holes trying to get a grip on Fascism, and it's not simple. This video is great.

[KomodoVistas]

Nobody seems to pick up on how fascism was a reactionary movement for its time. Liberalism got blamed for WWI and the new-kid-on-the-block Communism was looking scary. People were trying to run away from those two ideologies and fascism offered something different; a "Third Way" it often advertised. I think you hit that fascism was tailored for that time period, and name calling people that today is mostly fruitless.

The book series Dune did a great job at displaying what a fascist regime looks like, creating the rise of a messianic figure who intentionally/unintentionally creates a system which combines religion, mysticism, and law that sweeps through their sci-if universe
Lot of themes talked about in this video essay are reflected in the books, from cult of personality to exploring the effect it has on people swept up in the awe of what’s happening to their government, and worth a read if you want to experience an interesting take, not to mention a cool sci-fi world

[Durgenheim]

Fascism is fascinating to me because it is founded on conflict while having the paradoxical goal or guarantee of a future fascist utopia - which in reality never comes to pass precisely because of the reliance on perpetual conflict.

[ToniPambianco-]

I'm italian and here in Italy we talk a lot about Fascism expecially in school because it's a thing that has touched us in the past and it's unequivocally part of our country's history. I'm really happy to see a content on youtube that's about this theme, well written edited and with a lot of cool informations. Keep it up man

[drluquitas]

What a magnificent production. You are so delicate, dedicated and subtle with the concepts, that anyone who doesn't see the logical and rational middle ground might be almost not willing to see it. I congratulate you once again on your work. Education has such an important role to play in helping us build a better world, but education without criteria is meaningless, and I think you play precisely that: to nurture judgement, tolerance, understanding, and a broader vision of the human being and society. The last minutes are delicious, I had to stop the video and ask myself: am I missing something around me, am I really aware of what could be happening? It was phenomenal, thank you so much!

[juanpahuerta]

Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera was not Mexican. He was Spanish

[ursulageorgeson]

Your narration is just the right side of monotone as to be calm, clear but not dull. Your content lives up to your thumbnails. Engaging and not patronising, free from gimmicks.

Nice work.x

[victorious-dlhk]

A couple of weeks ago you instantly became my favorite video essayist. Keep ‘em coming

[My-name-is-user-txowssb]

Судя по комментариям видео более чем смотрибельно и я его посмотрю, а пока не начал напишу моё определение фашизма, я разобью его на основные части:
—Интегральный национализм(этнический или гражданский)
—Солидаризм(примерение социальных класов, идей, групп)
—Консолидация общества
—Культивированный милитаризм
—Национализация крупной промышленности при этом содействуя крупным предпринемателям и корпоративная экономика
—Идея о возрождении нации, ну или о перестройки мира...

Это я опредилил как базовые основы фашизма и мне кажется что я прав

Редактировано: я посмотрел, ты потрясающий ! Больше спасибо за видео, это и вправду было очень познавательно и смотреть было очень интересно !

[nerdy]

This video is so underrated I learned a lot from this video this feels more than a youtube video this feels like it comes out of a book

[personacoded]

the uniformity in the quality, and the clear, uncompromised artistic vision in each of his videos make them more than worth the watch. in 25 minutes, this single video has given me more information on the topic of fascism than the majority of my classes have prior. fantastic work on these.

[selectionn]

fascism is when people I dont like do the thing I dont like

[susansaoirse]

Well damn the algorithm. I recently searched for videos on this exactly and didn't find quite what I was looking for. Then I happened on you because of videos on completely different topics, and there this was the whole time. Anyway, thank you for it. Just the explainer I was looking for.