REJECTION OF PACIFISM
First of all, as regards the future development of mankind, and quite apart from all present
political considerations. Fascism does not, generally speaking, believe in the possibility or utility
of perpetual peace. It therefore discards pacifism as a cloak for cowardly supine renunciation in
contradistinction to self-sacrifice. War alone keys up all human energies to their maximum
tension and sets the seal of nobility on those peoples who have the courage to face it. All other
tests are substitutes which never place a man face to face with himself before the alternative of
life or death. Therefore all doctrines which postulate peace at all costs are incompatible with
Fascism.
Equally foreign to the spirit of Fascism, even if accepted as useful in meeting special political
situations — are all internationalist or League superstructures which, as history shows, crumble to
the ground whenever the heart of nations is deeply stirred by sentimental, idealistic or practical
considerations. Fascism carries this anti-pacifistic attitude into the life of the individual. “I don’t
give a damn” – the proud motto of the fighting squads scrawled by a wounded man on his
bandages, is not only an act of philosophic stoicism, it sums up a doctrine which is not merely
political: it is evidence of a fighting spirit which accepts all risks. It signifies new style of Italian
life. The Fascist accepts and loves life; he rejects and despises suicide as cowardly. Life as he
understands it means duty, elevation, conquest; life must be lofty and full, it must be lived for
oneself but above all for others, both near bye and far off, present and future.
The population policy of the regime is the consequence of these premises. The Fascist loves his
neighbor, but the word neighbor does not stand for some vague and muddled conception. Love
of one’s neighbor does not exclude necessary educational severity; still less does it exclude
differentiation and rank. Fascism will have nothing to do with universal embraces; as a member
of the community of nations it looks other people straight in the eyes; it is vigilant and on its
guard; it follows others in all their manifestations and notes any changes in their interests; and it
does not allow itself to be deceived by mutable and fallacious appearances.REJECTION OF PACIFISM