Final answer:
Fascism is an ideology where the leader has total power and suppresses opposition, with economy, military, and culture under state control, as exemplified by Mussolini in Italy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fascism is a political ideology that promotes the total control of the country by the ruling leader or party. In a fascist system, the leader has all of the power, exerting full control over the economy, military, society, and culture. Such leaders are not merely figureheads; they actively suppress opposition and criticism, regulate industry and commerce, and emphasize aggressive nationalism. For Mussolini, the concept of fascism was "All within the state, none outside the state, none against the state." This ideology, characterized by strict hierarchy and authority, became prevalent during the interwar years, with Mussolini consolidating power in Italy following World War I and others like Hitler and Franco following suit in Germany and Spain, respectively.