Modern political thought has given a considerable amount of attention to the conception of the individual's function in modern society. In this paper, I will discuss the fascist philosophy on individualism. Using the Italian philosopher Alfredo Rocco's arguments on this topic, I will consider how Liberalism, Democracy and Socialism are closely related, while Fascism can be seen as the true antithesis to Liberalism. In this process I will review Fascism and its principles. I will also elaborate upon the similarity of Ernst Huber's personal liberty and Karl Marx's ideas of personal property and the need to eliminate these freedoms for the benefit of the State. Alfredo Rocco, in his Political Doctrine of Fascism, discusses the common basis of all political doctrines of his time in Europe. He illustrates the similarities of individual's roles in Liberalism, Democracy and Socialism by stating that Liberalism, Democracy and Socialism "consider the welfare and happiness of individuals to be the goal of society" (280). In Rocco's opinion, these political theories use the society as a means to protect the individual's liberties. He declares that these social theories hold this end, but differ only in their methods for attaining this end (i.e. individual liberty). In Rocco's explanation of the Liberal theory, he explains that Liberal societies contend that the manner to secure the welfare of its citizens is to interfere as little as possible in the affairs of its citizens. He further defines this theory by stating that Liberalism sets up boundaries for its government in order that it does not sacrifice the freedom of its individuals. By a system of limitations, Liberalism disallows the State from becoming too powerful and capable of overstepping its role of ensuring personal liberty for its citizens. Rocco then shows how these Liberal ideals are "illogical and in contradiction with the very principles from which it proceeded" (281). ...
