“The keystone of the Fascist doctrine is its conception of the State, of its essence, its functions, and its aims. For Fascism the State is absolute, individuals and groups relative.”
- July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945
- Italian
- Politician, Journalist, Dictator, Prime Minister of Italy, Founder of Fascism
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Quote
“The keystone of the Fascist doctrine is its conception of the State, of its essence, its functions, and its aims. For Fascism the State is absolute, individuals and groups relative.”
Explanation
This quote lays bare the central tenet of fascist ideology: the primacy of the State over all else. By declaring the State “absolute,” Mussolini emphasizes that all individuals, families, classes, and institutions derive their meaning and legitimacy only in relation to the State. This worldview directly opposes liberalism, which places the individual as the bearer of rights and freedoms. In fascism, the State is not a servant of the people—it is a transcendent, organizing force that defines truth, morality, and purpose.
The historical background of this doctrine reflects Mussolini’s efforts to consolidate totalitarian control in Italy during the 1920s and 1930s. By subjugating civil society to state authority, Mussolini dismantled political parties, independent unions, and the free press. Fascism sought to create a unified national identity through indoctrination, censorship, and mass mobilization, all orchestrated under a single-party regime. This view of the State as an all-encompassing entity enabled suppression of dissent, justified violence, and erased individual autonomy in favor of collective obedience.
In modern terms, this quote is a clear warning about the dangers of statism and authoritarianism. When the State is held to be “absolute,” human rights, diversity, and personal freedom become negotiable or expendable. This perspective can be seen today in regimes that demand conformity and loyalty above all, where the government defines morality and suppresses opposition. Understanding this foundational fascist idea helps us recognize the vital importance of checks on state power and the protection of individual dignity in any free society.
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