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Fascism: One Hundred Questions Asked And Answered
After World War Two, ‘fascist’ became the F word of political debate to be applied liberally against anyone who left-wing polemicists disliked. But what did it really mean and what did its British supporters really stand for?In this pre-War book written in convenient Question and Answer form by Oswald Mosley, the Leader of the British Union of Fascists challenges the simplistic nature of the stereotypical image.It acknowledges that if he had been elected to power political party warfare would have been brought to an end. Instead of voting for different party labels General Elections would be based on an occupational franchise.Under this system everybody would vote according to their miners voting for a choice of mining candidates; farm workers for agricultural candidates; health workers for doctors and nurses; and textile workers for textile worker candidates. There would even have been occupational candidates for housewives and pensioners.In this way, Mosley believed that a government of experts elected by experts would be a body far better equipped to provide good government than one based on a multi-party geographical franchise.Other questions and answers covered by Mosley in equal depth include freedom of speech; reform of the banking system; and the roles of trade unions in the modern workplace.Fascism may have lost the war of semantics but its true nature deserves closer scrutiny.
56 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
18 people are currently reading
796 people want to read
About the author
Oswald Mosley
69 books152 followersBritish politician and world war one veteran who founded the British Union of Fascists and the Union Movement.
Mosley seated in the British parlement first for the Conservative Party and later for the Labour Party. Dissapointed in both parties he founded the New Party which later became the BUF.
Mosley was jailed during the second world war. After the war he started propagating an united Europe.
Oswald Mosley is the father of Max Mosley the head of the FIA.
Mosley seated in the British parlement first for the Conservative Party and later for the Labour Party. Dissapointed in both parties he founded the New Party which later became the BUF.
Mosley was jailed during the second world war. After the war he started propagating an united Europe.
Oswald Mosley is the father of Max Mosley the head of the FIA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 20, 2020
If you want to understand British fascism, this is the book for you.
January 19, 2022
Truly a gamer move.
June 6, 2017
I consider this book a Fascist equivalent to "The Communist Manifesto", never really going in depth, but serving as a broad insight into the fascist movement (specifically British fascism) and its ambitions.
It's a quick read and if you have an interest in political ideologies, it's an interesting place to start if you want to enquire into the wave of popular movements labelled as Fascist, that swept Europe in the 20s and 30s.
It's a quick read and if you have an interest in political ideologies, it's an interesting place to start if you want to enquire into the wave of popular movements labelled as Fascist, that swept Europe in the 20s and 30s.
February 6, 2018
The General Topic
One of the interesting parts of reading about politics is seeing how ideas mutate and adapt as individuals attempt to put them into practice. Fascism, as it lacks a central founder (no Karl Fasci) and places emphasis on culture (which by its very nature is dynamic and non standard) is particularly erratic. For instance the role of organised religion played a central role in the fascists movements of Spain and Romania whilst facing ambivalence and even hostility in the movements in Italy and Germany. Hence its why fascism is surprisingly hard to classify despite its simplicity.
The book itself
This book is a very specific period piece and why I did not give it a 3 star rating. About 30%+ of the questions are contextual to the UK of 1930s hence causing it to be a work more of historical worth (showing what questions the British Union of Fascists considered important) than political. As for the rest, it gives a very basic substance to their vision and goals whilst also not directly showing their reasoning regarding their views on society and humanity.
This British iteration of Fascism professes loyalty to the crown and seeks through parliamentary means to vest the government with the power to effectively carry out it programs. These programs broadly speaking are aimed at reigning in the excesses of capitalism and turning them towards nationalistic ends and autarky. To do this instead of flat out nationalisation he proposes the creation of a second party a "corporation" (not really defined but something vaguely akin to a broader kind of union that isn't limited to mere industrial concerns) which would have an equal say to business owners - the idea being that this semi democratisation of the workplace will give the kind of benefits of socialism whilst rewarding private enterprise.
Something fun and explanatory
To highlight the amorphous nature of fascism here are some quotes.
Mosley the Marxist
Q. How are you going to break down the barriers of class ?
A.By establishment of the principle of no reward without service, and the consequent elimination
of the parasite who creates the barrier of social class. Functional differences will exist according
to difference of function, but differences of social classes will be eliminated. They arise from
the fact that in present society the few can live in idleness as a master class upon the production of
the many.
Mosley the Monarchist
Q.What is the attitude of the B.U.F. towards the Crown
A. Absolute loyalty to the Crown. We shall in every way maintain its dignity
Mosley the Ancap
Q.How do you know the Dominions (commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada) will accept your policy ?
A.For the simple reason that it will pay them, and it is the policy for which they have always asked.They will not refuse a larger and better market in Britain, or the bargains they have always desired on account of some political theory.
Mosley the populist (both left and right)
Newspapers are not made any longer by news or journalism. They are made by sheer weight of
money expressed in free gift schemes, etc. They serve not the interests of the many but the
vested interests of the few. In that service they will stoop to any lie or any debauch of the public
mind.
Mosley the social democrat
private enterprise may serve but not exploit.
For all, full mental and physical development must be available until real maturity enables them to enter industry without handicap. Sweated child labour replacing adult labour is one of the disgraces of the present civilisation.
One of the interesting parts of reading about politics is seeing how ideas mutate and adapt as individuals attempt to put them into practice. Fascism, as it lacks a central founder (no Karl Fasci) and places emphasis on culture (which by its very nature is dynamic and non standard) is particularly erratic. For instance the role of organised religion played a central role in the fascists movements of Spain and Romania whilst facing ambivalence and even hostility in the movements in Italy and Germany. Hence its why fascism is surprisingly hard to classify despite its simplicity.
The book itself
This book is a very specific period piece and why I did not give it a 3 star rating. About 30%+ of the questions are contextual to the UK of 1930s hence causing it to be a work more of historical worth (showing what questions the British Union of Fascists considered important) than political. As for the rest, it gives a very basic substance to their vision and goals whilst also not directly showing their reasoning regarding their views on society and humanity.
This British iteration of Fascism professes loyalty to the crown and seeks through parliamentary means to vest the government with the power to effectively carry out it programs. These programs broadly speaking are aimed at reigning in the excesses of capitalism and turning them towards nationalistic ends and autarky. To do this instead of flat out nationalisation he proposes the creation of a second party a "corporation" (not really defined but something vaguely akin to a broader kind of union that isn't limited to mere industrial concerns) which would have an equal say to business owners - the idea being that this semi democratisation of the workplace will give the kind of benefits of socialism whilst rewarding private enterprise.
Something fun and explanatory
To highlight the amorphous nature of fascism here are some quotes.
Mosley the Marxist
Q. How are you going to break down the barriers of class ?
A.By establishment of the principle of no reward without service, and the consequent elimination
of the parasite who creates the barrier of social class. Functional differences will exist according
to difference of function, but differences of social classes will be eliminated. They arise from
the fact that in present society the few can live in idleness as a master class upon the production of
the many.
Mosley the Monarchist
Q.What is the attitude of the B.U.F. towards the Crown
A. Absolute loyalty to the Crown. We shall in every way maintain its dignity
Mosley the Ancap
Q.How do you know the Dominions (commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada) will accept your policy ?
A.For the simple reason that it will pay them, and it is the policy for which they have always asked.They will not refuse a larger and better market in Britain, or the bargains they have always desired on account of some political theory.
Mosley the populist (both left and right)
Newspapers are not made any longer by news or journalism. They are made by sheer weight of
money expressed in free gift schemes, etc. They serve not the interests of the many but the
vested interests of the few. In that service they will stoop to any lie or any debauch of the public
mind.
Mosley the social democrat
private enterprise may serve but not exploit.
For all, full mental and physical development must be available until real maturity enables them to enter industry without handicap. Sweated child labour replacing adult labour is one of the disgraces of the present civilisation.
Read
August 6, 2022You get the odd impression while reading this that if someone had, by the grace of God, handed Mosley a delicately put together sandwich containing a generous portion of thinly sliced pepper-encrusted pastrami with a couple of little playfully sharp pickles on top he might have mellowed out a bit — maybe we should lay the fault at Woody Allen’s feet for not having been born sooner, he’s already got enough on his plate so why not pile up some more? Cheers Woody, you’re responsible for British Fascism, I hope you’re bloody proud of yourself. Alright that’s enough Jewish stereotypes, I’m worried this shitty little manifesto is gonna rub off on me - ‘I am become Fascist, destroyer of chain stores’ (but seriously why the vitriolic hate for franchises? grow tf up Oswald).
January 16, 2022
An absolutely vital read for understanding the British Fascist Movement, as well as Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists. Surprisingly - initially, many of Mosley's arguments are justified by valid evidence and points... but then he descends to an uncivilised, anti-Semitic state and proceeds to scapegoat the Jews for the problems the UK faces, not to mention his heavy reliance on, and glorification of leaders like Hitler and Mussolini - which is partially why his movement gradually ceased to exist after the falls of both leaders.
However, Mosley does provide a major contrast between the policies of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy - he does not oppose concepts like birth control (as opposed to traditional family values), gender equality (ibid.), the continuation of independent trade unions (as opposed to a British Work Front, like the German DAF), and most importantly - does not desire to be a warmonger. This could, however, be argued as a similarity to Hitler's Nazism, as the NSDAP did partially coin the name of such an ideology to appeal to both the left and right, and these progressive policies of Mosley's could be an attempt to appeal to the left, as well as voting women.
Yet he frequently contradicts with himself. He criticises the Western nations, particularly the ones which were members of the League of Nations, as 'undemocratic' - but then proceeds to advocate for autarchy. Same with worker's rights... he advocates for further power to the corporations, which whilst it was not a problem in his day, has become a problem now - modern corporations today have become infamous for lacking respect for workers rights (like with the zero-hour contracts). Such regular contradictions and errors, as well as the contradictions we've regularly seen with other notable advocates of fascism and its variations (like Goebbels) effectively proves that a purely fascist state is an inefficient one that cannot last without damaging the lives of the very peoples these proponents swear to protect - their own population.
10/10. I may be on the other side of the compass, but there's no denying that this is an incredibly vital book to understanding the development and variations of fascism, and one cannot call themselves an expert on fascism, or very well-read on the ideology, if they have not read books like this one.
However, Mosley does provide a major contrast between the policies of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy - he does not oppose concepts like birth control (as opposed to traditional family values), gender equality (ibid.), the continuation of independent trade unions (as opposed to a British Work Front, like the German DAF), and most importantly - does not desire to be a warmonger. This could, however, be argued as a similarity to Hitler's Nazism, as the NSDAP did partially coin the name of such an ideology to appeal to both the left and right, and these progressive policies of Mosley's could be an attempt to appeal to the left, as well as voting women.
Yet he frequently contradicts with himself. He criticises the Western nations, particularly the ones which were members of the League of Nations, as 'undemocratic' - but then proceeds to advocate for autarchy. Same with worker's rights... he advocates for further power to the corporations, which whilst it was not a problem in his day, has become a problem now - modern corporations today have become infamous for lacking respect for workers rights (like with the zero-hour contracts). Such regular contradictions and errors, as well as the contradictions we've regularly seen with other notable advocates of fascism and its variations (like Goebbels) effectively proves that a purely fascist state is an inefficient one that cannot last without damaging the lives of the very peoples these proponents swear to protect - their own population.
10/10. I may be on the other side of the compass, but there's no denying that this is an incredibly vital book to understanding the development and variations of fascism, and one cannot call themselves an expert on fascism, or very well-read on the ideology, if they have not read books like this one.
September 4, 2022
Fascism: 100 Questions by Oswald Mosley
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Mosley's British Union of Fascists ("BUF") always seemed like a moronic idea, hard to take seriously, lampooned by Evelyn Waugh as the Blackshorts. The lampooning has stuck. Mosley seems now to be more a clown than a threat.
The reality, though, is that Mosley was an intelligent man and Fascism was a viable option in the 1930s. It was certainly as viable as Communism, albeit both were clown ideologies based on pseudo-scientific messianic lies.
This book is interesting because it presents the BUF side of the issue. We are trained to hate everything that is labeled "fascist" in an unthinking, reactive way, but Mosley's presentation is not cartoonish hysterical ranting. His writing is educated and classy. It is hard to imagine many American Democrats disagreeing with Mosley's ideas stated in this paragraph:
:35. What is the difference between Fascism and Capitalism, since both admit the system of private enterprise ? In brief definition, Capitalism is the system by which capital uses the Nation for its own purposes. Fascism is the system by which the Nation uses capital for its own purposes. Private enterprise is permitted and encouraged so long as it coincides with the national interests. Private enterprise is not permitted when it conflicts with national interests. Under Fascism private enterprise may serve but not exploit. This is secured by the Corporative System, which lays down the limits within which industry may operate, and those limits are the welfare of the Nation.
Mosley, Oswald . Fascism: 100 Questions Asked and Answered (p. 30). Kindle Edition.
There is no question that Mosley's philosophy was antisemitic. Mosley makes no bones that in his view, Jews were not Britons, that the businesses they owned were foreign capital, and that Jews in Britain had the position of resident alien.
Mosley was a Socialist before establishing his fascist movement. Mosley's example is part of the proof that fascism was a socialist phenomenon, albeit one built on nation rather than class. Mosley explains:
"For seven years in the Labour Party before founding Fascism in Britain, I fought for a National Socialist Policy in contradistinction to the International Socialism of that Party.
Mosley, Oswald . Fascism: 100 Questions Asked and Answered (p. 13). Kindle Edition.
Another difference is Mosley's embrace of the leadership principle.
"We believe everywhere in the Leadership principle and the functional differentiation which allocates definite responsibility to the individual. This principle rests on an obvious fact of human nature which Socialism ignores. Men and women are born with varying gifts and capacities.
Mosley, Oswald . Fascism: 100 Questions Asked and Answered (p. 16). Kindle Edition.
Mosley's plan involved breaking society into various corporations, each of which would be represented in Parliament. The fascist government would be given power to make such laws as they thought good, but Parliament could dissolve the government. There seems to have been quite a bit of modeling on the German constitution of the period.
I gave this review a four as a historical document. I am opposed to Statism and antisemitism in any form or any era.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Mosley's British Union of Fascists ("BUF") always seemed like a moronic idea, hard to take seriously, lampooned by Evelyn Waugh as the Blackshorts. The lampooning has stuck. Mosley seems now to be more a clown than a threat.
The reality, though, is that Mosley was an intelligent man and Fascism was a viable option in the 1930s. It was certainly as viable as Communism, albeit both were clown ideologies based on pseudo-scientific messianic lies.
This book is interesting because it presents the BUF side of the issue. We are trained to hate everything that is labeled "fascist" in an unthinking, reactive way, but Mosley's presentation is not cartoonish hysterical ranting. His writing is educated and classy. It is hard to imagine many American Democrats disagreeing with Mosley's ideas stated in this paragraph:
:35. What is the difference between Fascism and Capitalism, since both admit the system of private enterprise ? In brief definition, Capitalism is the system by which capital uses the Nation for its own purposes. Fascism is the system by which the Nation uses capital for its own purposes. Private enterprise is permitted and encouraged so long as it coincides with the national interests. Private enterprise is not permitted when it conflicts with national interests. Under Fascism private enterprise may serve but not exploit. This is secured by the Corporative System, which lays down the limits within which industry may operate, and those limits are the welfare of the Nation.
Mosley, Oswald . Fascism: 100 Questions Asked and Answered (p. 30). Kindle Edition.
There is no question that Mosley's philosophy was antisemitic. Mosley makes no bones that in his view, Jews were not Britons, that the businesses they owned were foreign capital, and that Jews in Britain had the position of resident alien.
Mosley was a Socialist before establishing his fascist movement. Mosley's example is part of the proof that fascism was a socialist phenomenon, albeit one built on nation rather than class. Mosley explains:
"For seven years in the Labour Party before founding Fascism in Britain, I fought for a National Socialist Policy in contradistinction to the International Socialism of that Party.
Mosley, Oswald . Fascism: 100 Questions Asked and Answered (p. 13). Kindle Edition.
Another difference is Mosley's embrace of the leadership principle.
"We believe everywhere in the Leadership principle and the functional differentiation which allocates definite responsibility to the individual. This principle rests on an obvious fact of human nature which Socialism ignores. Men and women are born with varying gifts and capacities.
Mosley, Oswald . Fascism: 100 Questions Asked and Answered (p. 16). Kindle Edition.
Mosley's plan involved breaking society into various corporations, each of which would be represented in Parliament. The fascist government would be given power to make such laws as they thought good, but Parliament could dissolve the government. There seems to have been quite a bit of modeling on the German constitution of the period.
I gave this review a four as a historical document. I am opposed to Statism and antisemitism in any form or any era.
December 27, 2018
It is what the title says it is -- very informative!
Written by Sir Oswald Mosley, the founder of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s.
As another reviewer commented many of the questions are relevant to Britain at that time only and will not be interpreted easily by the modern reader.
Written by Sir Oswald Mosley, the founder of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s.
As another reviewer commented many of the questions are relevant to Britain at that time only and will not be interpreted easily by the modern reader.
July 14, 2021
Good book for a beginner, it shows many of the ways that a Fascist state would actually manifest itself in practice.
Read
June 13, 2023I won't give a star rating. I didn't read this to endorse or detract from the contents.
An interesting read from a controversial figure in Brtiain's past and gives an insight into the mindset of some of the public of 1930s Britain.
An interesting read from a controversial figure in Brtiain's past and gives an insight into the mindset of some of the public of 1930s Britain.
February 14, 2023
Oswald Mosley is based. The book is nicely presented with Mosley answering 100 questions the British people have about fascism. After reading this book, British Fascism seems to be the best form of Fascism out there. The book is well-written and the answers are nice and concise. Definitely recommend reading it if you are interested in Fascism.
Read
March 15, 2021This is a good and short read that gives a good and concise summary of the fascist ideology that is easy to understand. If anyone wants a good introduction to this ideology or to have an opinion on this ideology, I highly recommend this.
November 5, 2021
Interesting little book filled with a lot of common sense. Didn't agree with everything, but the disagreements we're few and far between. Mosley was sharp. I can see why they demonize him. His ideas are a threat to the status quo.
January 4, 2022
A simple book which outlines the ideas of British Fascism in the 1930s and the ideology of Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists. A great starting point for anyone trying to understand Fascism.
May 20, 2023
Quick dive into phenoma of corporativist country and outlook on brownshirt ideology of British Fascists. Although anti-semitic, jingoist and populist, the book has its appeal as an important historical document.
February 2, 2021
(8/10)
Good.
Good.
October 7, 2020
Oswald's criticism of the undemocratic nature of the parliamentary system is convincing. Though his ideas for autarky and what id call democratic authoritarianism is much less so.
To me this pamphlet stands as an record of those who sort a new path. The criticisms he raises about the vested interests and international finance remain valid. Though i don't feel that we have much to learn from the rest of his ideas.
Corporatism is a seductive idea which on the surface offers rule by experts with participation of everyone else. Though in practice it has been seen to amplify the rule by the elites and special interests. Oswalds short work here offers the reader a clearer picture of what a corporatist system would look like in practice than Mussolini's or Hitlers works do.
To me this pamphlet stands as an record of those who sort a new path. The criticisms he raises about the vested interests and international finance remain valid. Though i don't feel that we have much to learn from the rest of his ideas.
Corporatism is a seductive idea which on the surface offers rule by experts with participation of everyone else. Though in practice it has been seen to amplify the rule by the elites and special interests. Oswalds short work here offers the reader a clearer picture of what a corporatist system would look like in practice than Mussolini's or Hitlers works do.
May 20, 2020
Mainly concerns itself with what a fascist government and economy would look like, whilst also leaving plenty of room for the virulent anti-semitism at the heart of Mosley's philosophy, as well as plans for the enforced repatriation of not just Jews (to where is never explained) but anyone deemed 'insufficiently British'. But if you need a swift introduction to the basics of Mosleyism and how he was able to build the support movement the British Union of Fascists did in the 1930s, this does the job.
May 24, 2021
Such a contrast to the propaganda people are fed about this man. Capitalism and liberal democracy was in a serious crisis and this book seems to be honest (but ultimately VERY WRONG) ATTEMPTS BY A simple guy to diagnose and solve his country's problems.
Insightful points about the sham that is Parliamentary democracy and 'freedom of the press' which he shows out to be a pantomine by the oligarchs.
Insightful points about the sham that is Parliamentary democracy and 'freedom of the press' which he shows out to be a pantomine by the oligarchs.
February 8, 2023
The character Oswald Mosley appears in Peaky Blinders Netflix Series. His interview is
a portal to what fascists thought and their ideas for the nation. Surprised by some!
The interview is boring after a point because it's related policies related to Britain and not every non-Britain can associate him/her.
a portal to what fascists thought and their ideas for the nation. Surprised by some!
The interview is boring after a point because it's related policies related to Britain and not every non-Britain can associate him/her.
December 15, 2025
Sehr empfehlenswert wenn man sich über die Ansichten des britischen Faschismus beziehungsweise des „mosleyism” informieren möchte.
Das Format ist klasse, und anfangs ist das ganze auch recht gut geschrieben. Zum Ende hin jedoch wird es immer schlechter, und Mosley wiederholt die selben Anschauungen dutzendfach.
Das Format ist klasse, und anfangs ist das ganze auch recht gut geschrieben. Zum Ende hin jedoch wird es immer schlechter, und Mosley wiederholt die selben Anschauungen dutzendfach.
September 19, 2021
A great book to read if you want to understand British Fascism but in my opinion this is pretty irrelevant to modern day society and politics but reading this book can give you a small insight to the economic and social situation of Europe after the first World War.
April 21, 2025
Ele mente muito nesse livro, ele é quase que por completo um aglomerado de mentiras e meias verdades sem base filosófica que almejam implantar uma ditadura autoritária disfarçada de democracia “real”, fora isso, o livro é bem escrito, didático e muito intuitivo e direto ao ponto.
May 19, 2022
Racist social democracy.
October 29, 2024
Good explanation
December 9, 2024
Hypocrisy, delusion, hatred and a whole lot of waffling.
July 12, 2022
Fascism would be pretty cool if they didn't have to ruin it with the anti semitism.
April 24, 2024
My first book I ever read on fascism, and a perfect one to start with. Everything is so simply laid out in a question and answer style of writing. It gives great information and outlines the complex political ideologies of fascism.
The vocabulary is easy to understand and is not overwhelming for a new reader. When reading I felt as if Mr. Mosley wrote in in such a way that it was accessible even to the working class.
The vocabulary is easy to understand and is not overwhelming for a new reader. When reading I felt as if Mr. Mosley wrote in in such a way that it was accessible even to the working class.
August 9, 2024
Helped me understand the Fascist movement in Britain
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews