What is fascism?

The classic definition of the word "fascist" - the definition Mussolini had in mind when he claimed to have invented the word: (It was actually Italian philosopher Giovanni Gentile who wrote the entry in the Encyclopedia Italiana) "Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power."

Mussolini, however, affixed his name to the entry, and claimed credit for it.