A fascist state is usually a one-party state, where a single party dominates the political system and suppresses opposition. Fascist regimes, such as Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, maintained strict control through authoritarian leadership, propaganda and political repression.

Adolf Hitler led the National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly known as the Nazi Party, in Germany. Benito Mussolini, on the other hand, was the leader of the National Fascist Party in Italy. Both parties were central to the establishment of their respective fascist regimes

However, some sources argue that a fascist state can also be considered a zero-party system, meaning that political parties are either nonexistent or completely controlled by the ruling authority. In such cases, the government operates without formal political competition, and all political power is centralised under a dictator or ruling elite.