Caleb S.
asked 05/28/21Fascist Totalitarian regimes always have checks and balances in their governments to help keep power from accumulating into one person or part of government.
3 Answers By Expert Tutors
Stewart K. answered 05/29/21
AP, Research Paper, and Classroom History, Gov, and Geo Tutoring
In principle, the fascist governments of Italy and Germany in the 20th century both had a "leader principle", where the top official was the undisputed leader of the country (that's what führer means in German). Hitler held the two top constitutional offices, President and Chancellor, at the same time, and then had his captive parliament enact a law empowering him to rule by decree. He was the sole lawmaker and chief executive. Mussolini's regime vested power in a Fascist Council. Mussolini was the chairman of the Fascist Council, and all the members were long-time loyalists.
However, in practice, both regimes were fragmented, with many centers of power competing against each other and occasionally offering significant resistance even to the theoretically absolute power of the Leader. This was a feature, not a bug. Hitler wanted to make sure nobody could rise up as a plausible replacement for him. He designed his military to have competing entities - the Luftwaffe and Navy, for example, both had ground troop units, as well as the party militia, the SS, elevated to a full combat role. MIlitary production and economic management were also fragmented to make sure no single manager could claim credit for economic successes. When, as defeat loomed, he put his favorite architect, Speer, in charge of production, he kept the reins tightly in his hand and carved out all sorts of exceptions for SS production, V weapons, and so on. Mussolini's Fascist Council, of course, ended up firing him and locking him up when the Allies invaded the mainland.
So in conclusion, yes, fascist regimes contain checks and balances on the power of the leader.
Paul W. answered 05/29/21
Dedicated to Achieving Student Success in History, Government, Culture
The clue to the answer is in the term 'Totalitarian'. Note that the term contains the word 'Total'. In a Totalitarian state, be it Fascist, Communist, or any other political ideology, the government has - or at least, strives to have - Total control over its citizens. As such, there are indeed "little or no checks to keep power accumulated in one person or part of government."
It would be more accurate to say
Fascist totalitarian regimes have little or no checks and balances to keep power accumulated in one person or part of government.
Today North Korea or mainland China are the prime examples of a totalitarian regime. Kim Jong Un and Xi have little checks or balances.
Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.
Get a free answer to a quick problem.
Most questions answered within 4 hours.
OR
Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.
Matthew D.
Totalitarian and “checks and balances” contradict each other. You either have complete control (Totalitarianism) or you prevent any one person or group from having complete control (Checks and Balances). The answer is no, because totalitarian regimes have to reject and dismantle any form of accountability so they can remain in power.09/10/21