fas·cism
(făsh′ĭz′əm)
n.
1. often Fascism
a. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
b. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
2. Oppressive, dictatorial control.
[Italian fascismo, from fascio, group, from Late Latin fascium, from Latin fascis, bundle.]
Word History: It is fitting that the name of an authoritarian political movement like Fascism, founded in 1919 by Benito Mussolini, should come from the name of a symbol of authority. The Italian name of the movement, fascismo,is derived from fascio, "bundle, (political) group," but also refers to the movement's emblem, the fasces, a bundle of rods bound around a projecting axe-head that was carried before an ancient Roman magistrate by an attendant as a symbol of authority and power. The name of Mussolini's group of revolutionaries was soon used for similar nationalistic movements in other countries that sought to gain power through violence and ruthlessness, such as National Socialism.
source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Facism
As we celebrate the glorious victory and sacrifice our ancestors made over Fascism, we must ask ourselves: "have we truly defeated Fascism?" Is it still lurking in the outer reaches of world societies and governments, as well as in the inner reaches of our hearts?
The tyranny that defeated the irrevocably more evil tyranny of Hitler and Mussolini was in itself a destructive force in the bloody wave of world history, exemplifying the 20th century movement into modernism. As National Socialism confronted Communism on the eastern front and Liberal Capitalism on the western front, it proved itself to be a weaker and a more immoral force than its foes. However, can we affirm with absolute certainty that the poles which defeated it were themselves free from evil? Did they not, in the wake of their victory, leave the world in a continuous struggle against this very enemy: Fascism? The men and women who laid down their lives, the "immortal regiment" and "the saviors of Europe", themselves internally and externally fighting Fascism, both on the battlefield and within themselves, came home to a regenerated and proudful tyranny - a socio-political despot who bore slightly different ideals, yet slowly drained life out of its native sons and its surrounding neighbors.
That is the "tyranny without". Here is the "tyranny within". Every hero, every spiritual athlete and ascetic knows the risk of victory. The risk of victory is to believe that you are the cause and reason for victory, and that you have earned the right to "rest on your laurels" and receive the world's praise for your good deeds. Conversely, the true ascetics, whose spiritual feat has meaning and bears fruit, never say "my work is done, let me rejoice, for I have done well." They say: "we are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." (Luke 17:10). And those "unworthy servants" are already receiving the fruits of their labors when they believe thus, they are cleansing their hearts of pride - the virulent seed of fascism and evil - and gaining humility. It is only the humble who can achieve a lasting victory over the fascism without and within, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble." (James 4:6).
In conclusion, every victory is the beginning of the true struggle. The struggle against pride, and the struggle to gain humility. Once recognizing that we are essentially nothing without God, one can approach the first step towards salvation and sanctity, towards a true Victory and a lasting Peace: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3).
