This book presents new perspectives on the most controversial political concept in modern history. After discussing the lack of an agreed definition for "fascism," Richard Thurlow traces the origins of fascism and then provides an analysis of the fascist regimes that took power in Italy and Germany in the interwar years. Fascism in other countries is detailed and an account is also given of antifascism and the manifestation of fascism in different forms since the end of the Second World War in 1945. The book contains a selection of documents.