Mussolini Doctrine of Fascism - Analysis | Milestone Documents - Milestone Documents

Benito Mussolini: “The Doctrine of Fascism”

( 1932 ) Commentary by Robert N. Stacy, M.A.
  • “Fascism sees in the world not only those superficial, material aspects in which man appears as an individual, standing by himself, self-centered, subject to natural law that instinctively urges him toward a life of selfish momentary pleasure. It sees not only the individual but also the nation and the country—individuals and generations bound together by a moral law.” - Paragraph 2
  • “Anti-individualistic, the Fascist conception of life stresses the importance of the state and accepts the individual only insofar as his interests coincide with those of the state, which stands for the conscience and the universal will of man as a historic entity.” - Paragraph 8
  • “Fascism, in short, is not only a law-giver and a founder of institutions but an educator and a promoter of spiritual life. It aims at refashioning not only the forms of life but also their content—man, his character, and his faith. To achieve this propose, it enforces discipline and uses authority, entering into the soul and ruling with undisputed sway.” - Paragraph 15
  • “Democratic regimes may be described as those under which the people are, from time to time, deluded into the belief that they exercise sovereignty, while all the time real sovereignty resides in and is exercised by other and sometimes irresponsible and secret forces. Democracy is a kingless regime infested by many kings who are sometimes more exclusive, tyrannical, and destructive than one king, even if he be a tyrant.” - Paragraph 28
  • “The keystone of the Fascist doctrine is its conception of the state, of its essence, its functions, and its aims. For Fascism the state is absolute; individuals and groups are relative. Individuals and groups are admissible insofar as they come within the state.” - Paragraph 37
  • “The Fascist state organizes the nation, but it leaves the individual adequate elbow room. It has curtailed useless or harmful liberties while preserving those which are essential. In such matters the individual cannot be the judge, but the state only.” - Paragraph 41
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Benito Mussolini (Library of Congress)

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