IMHO, this description of "fascism" fits what's left of the Republican party to a "T".

[Atticus]

"Fascism is a form of government which is run from the top down by one man or one party that has complete control. Fascists control the population with strict laws and punishments. They control the economy and the media. Fascism uses propaganda to keep people believing what the leaders want. Fascists push nationalism, discourage immigration, dislike foreigners, are racist, and approve of violence if needed. The ideals of Democracy are a stumbling block to the dictator's plans and goals. Fascists despise any form of government not run by a strongman or a small party which restricts freedom and rules with an iron fist."
----from Facty.com

Joe was being kind with that "semi".

[Kaleva]

1. That definition fits all authoritarian forms of government

Kim Jung Un isn't a fascist but the definition fits him to a tee. Putin as well. Saddam would be another example along with Mao.

[Thomas Hurt]

2. Eco and Britt's descriptions are better.

Britt

https://ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html

Eco

https://www.pegc.us/archive/Articles/eco_ur-fascism.pdf

[TheRealNorth]

3. I have regarded the Lawerence Britt version as the best definition...

I will have to look at the other one.

Republican rhetoric has matched Fascist rhetoric for a while. But when you see them pass laws to target specific companies, and dissenters, that is when I think you can say the transformation is complete.

[Thomas Hurt]

4. Eco, grew up in fascist Italy. He has a personal take on it, that Britt doesn't I believe.

[Atticus]

5. I agree both of your cities provide better and more complete information. I had read Eco's essay

some time ago and commend it to anyone who wants to understand how fascism once actually rose and nearly destroyed a nation.

Britt's explanation is perhaps less nuanced, but about as concise and "to the point" as possible when discussing such a multi-faceted topic.

The simply-stated "definition" I quoted in the OP was, hopefully, brief enough to be actually read and simple enough to be understood and provoke discussion.

Thank you for your informative post.