fascism

pos>n. 1. a political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government; -- opposed to democracy and liberalism. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. an authoritarian system of government under absolute control of a single dictator, allowing no political opposition, forcibly suppressing dissent, and rigidly controlling most industrial and economic activities. Such regimes usually try to achieve popularity by a strongly nationalistic appeal, often mixed with racism. [ PJC ]

3. Specifically, the Fascist movement led by Benito Mussolini in Italy from 1922 to 1943. [ PJC ]

4. broadly, a tendency toward or support of a strongly authoritarian or dictatorial control of government or other organizations; -- often used pejoratively in this sense. [ PJC ]