Fascist leaders often attempted to legitimize their rule by claiming it represented a form of 'authoritarian democracy' or 'totalitarian democracy.' They argued that the state embodied the true will of the people, thereby bypassing the need for traditional liberal parliamentary mechanisms. This rhetoric was used to justify the centralization of power and the suppression of political opposition under the guise of national unity and collective strength.

Fascists were staunchly anti-communist and viewed Bolshevism as a dangerous, divisive ideology. They often criticized the Marxist focus on class struggle and internationalism, arguing that such dogmas were detrimental to national unity and strength. Fascism positioned itself as a nationalist alternative to the internationalist and materialist framework of Bolshevism, which they believed weakened the state.

Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian ultranationalist political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. It is a quintessential form of totalitarianism, where the state seeks to control every aspect of public and private life, subordinating individual interests to the perceived needs of the nation or race.

In the early stages of their rise to power, Fascist movements often received support from industrial and capitalist elites. These groups viewed Fascism as a necessary bulwark against the rising tide of socialism and communism, which threatened their property and economic interests. By suppressing labor unions and strikes, Fascists provided a stable environment that appealed to the capitalist class.

Fascism emphasizes the primacy of the nation-state above all else. Fascist doctrine asserts that the individual and all social institutions must be subordinated to the interests of the nation. The state is viewed as the embodiment of the nation's spirit and will, making the nation the ultimate object of loyalty and the supreme authority in the Fascist worldview.

Fascist ideology, particularly as articulated by Mussolini, emphasized extreme nationalism and the necessity of territorial expansion. The phrase 'expand or perish' reflects the belief that a nation must constantly grow in power and influence to survive, rejecting pacifism and democratic pluralism in favor of a militarized, totalitarian state.

Benito Mussolini, the founder of Italian Fascism, frequently glorified war as a necessary instrument for national rejuvenation and the assertion of state power. He believed that perpetual struggle and military conflict were essential to forging a strong, disciplined, and 'noble' national character, a core tenet of his fascist ideology.

Fascism is often described as a movement that prioritized action, pragmatism, and mobilization over a coherent, systematic philosophical framework. While it eventually developed ideological tenets, its origins were rooted in immediate political activism and nationalist fervor rather than abstract theory. This perspective emphasizes the 'action-first' nature of early fascist movements in Italy.

Fascism is fundamentally anti-democratic and rejects the principle of majority rule. Instead, it emphasizes the leadership principle, where authority is concentrated in a single dictator or elite group. Fascists prioritize national unity and state power over individual rights or democratic consensus, often viewing parliamentary systems as weak and inefficient. Therefore, the claim that they favored majority rule is historically and ideologically incorrect.

Fascism prioritizes the state over the individual, arguing that true freedom is found only through total identification with the state's goals. Fascist theorists believe that individual interests are subordinate to the collective strength of the nation, and that a strong, centralized state provides the necessary order and unity for the people to thrive.