# Definition of "Fascist"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 7, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248 "2005-04-07T17:08:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248/41 "2005-04-11T14:59:26Z")

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> [@silenus](#):
>
> 1. racism and anti-Semetism

I think this criteria is too specific. It can be generalized to something like …

The demonization of specific segments of the population by one or more characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, native language, religion, sexual preference, political views, policy goals, views on government operation and policy, degree of percieved patriotism, aesthetic values, etc., combined with the extolling of other segments of the population based on such characteristics.

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**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248/42 "2005-04-11T15:09:54Z")

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(Singular: criterion; plural: criteria.)

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**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248/43 "2005-04-11T15:12:47Z")

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> [@Good Egg](#):
>
> What would be the opposite of fascism?

Given that both Stalinist Russia and the United States called themselves the enemies of fascism during World War II, it may be hard to pin down.

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248/44 "2005-04-11T16:04:08Z")

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> [@acsenray](#):
>
> I think this criteria is too specific. It can be generalized to something like …  
> (snip)

Well, yeah. But as I previously noted, this is from my class notes for the rise of Fascism in Italy in the 1930s. As such, rascism and anti-Semitism is the characteristic. If we are debating fascism post-WW2, then your definition is more correct. 😃

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-fascist/298248/45 "2005-04-11T16:05:44Z")

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Thanks, Wally. I am usually more careful about that.

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