Option 1: Plato, Machiavelli, and Herbert Spencer. Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who believed in a hierarchical society with a ruling elite. Machiavelli is best known for his book "The Prince," which discusses the use of power and manipulation in politics. Herbert Spencer was a 19th-century philosopher who advocated for individualism and survival of the fittest. These thinkers did have some influence on fascism, as they all contributed to ideas such as hierarchy, authoritarianism, and the concept of a strong leader. However, it is important to note that fascism is a complex ideology influenced by a variety of thinkers and movements, and these three thinkers are only a small part of that broader influence. Additionally, other factors such as the political, economic, and social context of the time also played a role in shaping fascism.