Definition of "fascism" []

• A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism. (noun)
• A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government. (noun)
• Oppressive, dictatorial control. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "As always, I use the term fascism in the proper historical context, rather than the militaristic slur of nazism that it tends to get confused with."
• "Also, the term fascism is derived from the italian fascio, which means bundle - check out the Fascist flag."
• "A little history: Benito Mussolini invented the term fascism in the 1920s and the philosophy it was built on was based in controlling people with fear and repression."