a political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government; -- opposed to democracy and liberalism. [WordNet 1.5]
an authoritarian system of government under absolute control of a single dictator, allowing no political opposition, forcibly suppressing dissent, and rigidly controlling most industrial and economic activities. Such regimes usually try to achieve popularity by a strongly nationalistic appeal, often mixed with racism. [PJC]
Specifically, the Fascist movement led by Benito Mussolini in Italy from 1922 to 1943. [PJC]
broadly, a tendency toward or support of a strongly authoritarian or dictatorial control of government or other organizations; -- often used pejoratively in this sense. [PJC]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

fascism, n.
1 the totalitarian principles and organization of the extreme right-wing nationalist movement in Italy (1922-43).
2 (also fascism) a any similar nationalist and authoritarian movement. b disp. any system of extreme right-wing or authoritarian views.

Derivative

Fascist n. & adj. (also fascist). Fascistic adj. (also fascistic).

Etymology

It. fascismo f. fascio political group f. L fascis bundle: see FASCES

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THESAURUS

fascism

Jim Crow, Jim Crow law, Nazism, anti-Semitism, apartheid, argumentum baculinum, big stick, black power, black supremacy, centralism, chauvinism, class consciousness, class distinction, class hatred, class prejudice, class war, collectivism, color bar, color line, communism, constitutionalism, democratism, despotism, discrimination, domination, domineering, federalism, feudalism, feudality, governmentalism, heavy hand, high hand, imperialism, iron boot, iron hand, iron heel, know-nothingism, male chauvinist, minority prejudice, monarchism, national socialism, neofascism, oppression, parliamentarianism, parliamentarism, pluralism, political principles, race hatred, race prejudice, race snobbery, racial discrimination, racialism, racism, red-baiting, reign of terror, republicanism, royalism, segregation, sex discrimination, sexism, social barrier, social discrimination, socialism, statism, superpatriotism, terrorism, thought control, tyranny, ultranationalism, white power, white supremacy, xenophobia

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