A far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, extreme nationalism, and forcible suppression of opposition. A system of government marked by centralized autocracy and severe economic and social regimentation.
From Italian fascismo, derived from fascio (bundle), referring to the fasces - a bundle of rods with an axe that symbolized authority in ancient Rome. Mussolini adopted this symbol to represent the strength that comes from unity under authoritarian rule.
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