Many people grow up hearing distorted or incomplete descriptions of fascism, often associating it solely with antisemitism or bigotry without understanding its broader political and economic foundations. Fascism, at its core, is a political philosophy that exalts the nation and race above the individual, governed by a dictatorial leader who controls the state tightly. One of the less discussed but crucial aspects is autarky—the policy of economic self-sufficiency, which was central in fascist Italy and Spain. This economic isolationism seeks to reduce dependence on global markets, aiming for a country to produce everything it needs internally. Fascist regimes also enforced severe social regimentation and repression, demonizing groups they labeled as enemies, including Jews, homosexuals, transgender people, and other minorities, often under fabricated claims that these groups weakened or threatened the nation’s strength. These social policies weren't random acts of hatred but strategic attempts to unify the population against perceived internal enemies and maintain strict control. What’s alarming is that many education systems have failed to teach these nuanced details, possibly to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths about how fascist strategies can manifest in modern governance. Understanding fascism’s economic and social strategies, such as autarky and scapegoating, helps us recognize signs in contemporary politics and societies. By studying fascism beyond surface stereotypes, individuals become better equipped to critically analyze governmental actions, media narratives, and political rhetoric. This knowledge empowers citizens to question policies that may threaten democratic values and individual freedoms under the guise of nationalism or populism. Learning history’s full context is essential to preventing the repetition of past authoritarian mistakes.