GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE 221

came to power in Italy and erected the Fascist1 form of Govern-
ment which both destroyed democracy in feet and openly
challenged its principles. The very similar "National-Socialism"
of Hitler received great impetus in the slump years of 1930-32,
and obtained power in 1933.

Fascism arises from distress and disappointment. The Italians
found that they had gained little from being on the winning side
in the War; the Germans, that the democratic Republic estab-
lished in 1918 had not succeeded in throwing off the bonds of
the Treaty of Versailles, nor in solving the economic problems of
the slump. When such situations arise, and many sections—
wage-earners, middle-class, ex-soldiers—face unemployment and
poverty, the policy of the Government must be drastic, and show
evidence of a determination to deal rapidly and boldly with the
difficulties. But while all are agreed that policy must be drastic,
there is disagreement about its direction* Some demand a rapid
transition to Socialism, others a reduction of taxes on large
incomes, others the expulsion of Jews, or the exclusion of women"
from every employment outside the home. Everyone has a
grievance which affects him personally, and sees in its removal
the cure for the nation's ills. The conflict of parties becomes
keener, violence is used, and here democracy is put to its test.
The right and duty of a democratic Government to suppress
disorder has been noticed; in times of stress it is justified in
adopting measures, such as the prohibition of provocative
displays of party strength, which in normal times would be
unnecessary. Italy and Germany, in common with many other
countries, had but slight experience of democracy, and the
democratic respect for the lives and opinions of other citizens
had not developed. Germany had adopted a Constitution which
contained two opposing defects: under its usual working the

1 The word Fasdo (group or bundle) was the name used by groups of
Mussolini's followers when he was striving for power. It refers also to
ihe fasces carried by lictors attending on magistrates in Ancient Rome—
bundles of rods encircling an axe. They symbolised Roman unity and
power and served the practical purposes of punishment and execution.