fascism
UK[ˈfæʃ.ɪ.zəm]US[ˈfæʃ.ɪ.zəm]
n
a political system based on a very powerful leader, state control of social and economic life, and extreme pride in country and race, with no political opposition allowed
n
(often fascism) extremely right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practices
Morpheme Breakdown
fasc
ism
fasc
bundle
ism
doctrine, system
Etymology
the term 'fascism' is derived directly from the italian 'fascismo', which itself comes from 'fascio', meaning 'bundle' or 'group', from the latin 'fascis'. in ancient rome, the 'fasces' was a bundle of rods with an axe, carried by lictors before magistrates, symbolizing collective strength and the state's power to punish. the modern political ideology, originating in early 20th-century italy under mussolini, adopted this potent symbol to represent the binding of individuals into a unified, authoritarian nation-state. thus, the literal concept of 'binding together' evolved into the abstract doctrine of a centralized, autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, suppressing opposition through force and extreme nationalism.
Analysis
Structure: fasc (bundle) + ism (doctrine, system)
fasc originates from the latin 'fascis', meaning 'bundle, pack'. in this context, it refers to the bundled rods and axe carried as a symbol of authority in ancient rome. ism is a suffix of greek origin via latin, used to form nouns denoting a distinctive system, theory, or practice.
Examples
the rise of fascism in europe during the 1930s led to world war ii.
some critics accused the new policies of bordering on fascism.
his writings analyze the economic conditions that can give rise to fascism.