This is the first full history of fascism--as a force and as a phenomenon--in Europe and elsewhere between the world wars. This history encompasses all the major fascist movements, as well as other forms of authoritarian nationalism, and provides in-depth analyses of these movements, the interpretative problems they pose, and previous interpretations of them. Historian Payne interprets fascism as a form of revolutionary ultranationalism--a program for national rebirth based on a vitalist philosophy, extreme elitism, mass mobilization, the promotion of violence, and military virtues. He traces this phenomenon through the history of ideas, previous political movements, and the events of World War I. He presents a case for viewing fascism as a phenomenon of its time, but treats significant individual features of fascism as inherent aspects of revolutionary movements and nationalist dictatorships, with every likelihood of reappearing in new and different forms.--From publisher description.