Final answer:
The characteristic not associated with fascism from the options given is 'Public ownership of property' as fascism typically maintains the facade of private ownership while exerting significant state control, unlike communism which features actual public ownership.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fascism is a political ideology that rose to prominence during the interwar years and is characterized by its strong sense of nationalism, disdain for democratic principles, and belief in a hierarchical social structure. The characteristics of fascism include the glorification of the state, rejection of liberal individualism, and the creation of a totalitarian regime led by a dictator who forcibly suppresses opposition. In contrast, features such as state ownership of property are commonly associated with communism and not fascism.
Looking at the options provided in the question, 'Public ownership of property,' which is the hallmark of a communist system, is not characteristic of fascism. Under fascism, despite the appearance of private ownership, the state maintains considerable control over industry and commerce through a form of state corporatism. Thus, the correct answer to the question of what is not a characteristic of fascism is C. Public ownership of property.
Other features commonly associated with fascism include the merging of the dictator's identity with that of the state, an emphasis on an aggressive form of nationalism, and sometimes racism. While both communism and fascism reject parliamentary democracy and focus on creating a transcendent political order, they diverge significantly in their views on property ownership and the role of the state in the economy.