Mussolini defined fascism primarily through the concept of the "Totalitarian" state—a term he adopted and wore as a badge of honor. His definition is best summarized by his most famous maxim:

"Everything within the State, nothing outside the State, nothing against the State."

For Mussolini, the State was not just a mechanism to protect individuals (as in liberal democracy); the State was a spiritual and ethical entity that created the nation. The individual only had value insofar as they served the State.

Key Pillars of Mussolinis Definition

In his writing, Mussolini defined fascism largely by what it was against and how it viewed human nature:

Rejection of Pacifism: Mussolini defined fascism as the opposite of pacifism. He wrote that "War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to meet it." He believed perpetual peace was neither possible nor useful.

Rejection of Marxism/Socialism: He explicitly rejected the concept of "class struggle" (the core of communism). Instead of classes fighting each other, he defined fascism as a system of "class collaboration" where workers and owners united to serve the State.

Rejection of Democracy: He defined fascism as the "purest form of democracy" regarding quality, not quantity. He rejected the idea that the majority should rule just because they are the majority. He believed in inequality, arguing that "The century of democracy is over."

Action over Doctrine: Mussolini often defined fascism as a movement of action rather than complex theory. He famously stated, "Our doctrine is the fact."

The "Spiritual" View: Mussolini opined that fascism was a religious concept. He viewed life as a struggle and duty, requiring sacrifice. He wrote, "Fascism is a religious concept... The fascist man is a man who is the nation and the fatherland."

The Controversy: There is a significant dispute among historians regarding whether Mussolini actually had a consistent definition or if he just made it up as he went along to maintain power.