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Fascism And Anti Rationalism

Decent Essays

Fascism has an anti-character it is defined by what it opposes. Discuss.
Fascism as an ideology is opposed to much of what many perceive as belonging in a modern society such as its anti -Semitic, anti-race and anti- rationalist beliefs. In contrast, fascism is also accustomed to having many beliefs that it is positive towards such as Ultranationalism, Expansionism and Corporatism. Therefore, Fascism does have an anti-character as it is defined by what it opposes.
Fascism is anti- rationalist and counter-enlightenment which was a very late nineteenth century policy. The enlightenment was based on the ideas of universal reason, natural goodness and progress. It was committed to liberating humans from the darkness of irrationalism and superstition. Friedrich Nietzsche proposed that humans are motivated by powerful emotions rather than their rational mind which he called ‘will to power’. Many Fascists instead believe in vitalism where organisms gain characterises from instinct rather than reason. Anti-rationalism has influenced fascism in many ways. Firstly, it gave fascism anti- intellectualism reflected in its tendency to go straight into action. For example, Mussolini’s favourite slogans included ‘action not talk’ and ‘inactivity is death’. Secondly, by abandoning the standard of universal reason fascism placed its faith in history alone. For example, Mussolini promised to take Italy back to the time of the Roman Empire. While Hitler created a ‘Third Reich’ to follow

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