Fascism and communism: sister ideologies

[TaftFan]

Great video from Dan Hannan.

[Henry Rogue]

I've always thought so. On a linear scale, I view both to be on the same side, rather than opposites.

[Ronin Truth]

I've always thought so. On a linear scale, I view both to be on the same side, rather than opposites.

You're only supposed to be using the full range socialist linear political spectrum scale provided by the cultural Marxists.

No other one actually exists, and/or is recognized.

[V for Voluntary]

"Socialism and Fascism

In my recent article on Tony Kushner, I suggested that his socialist views were somehow akin to fascism. Predictably enough, the knee-jerk reaction to this statement was the reassertion of an old historical fallacy: the notion that socialism and fascism are somehow opposed to each other, that they have been historical rivals, that there is nothing but difference between the two -- and that I must have been ignorant of this historical fact. I did not, however, make this comparison glibly. Taken in full historical context, with full consideration of philosophic principle, socialism and fascism are essentially the same."

http://www2.lawrence.edu/sorg/OBJECTIVISM/SOCFASC.HTML

[ThePaleoLibertarian]

I wouldn't call them sister ideologies; fascism is more the bastard spawn of Marxism.

[r3volution 3.0]

Both require the absolute subordination of the individual to the state, which manifests itself in state ownership of all property (de jure in communism, de facto in fascism), and (in order to enforce the above) totalitarian control over people's personal lives (which includes elimination or state-control of all the organizations which traditionally intermediate between state and individual: i.e. family, church, etc). The only ideological difference is that a communist state justifies its actions in the name of a class (and identifies a class enemy), while a fascist state justifies its actions in the name of an ethnicity (and identifies an ethnic enemy). The propaganda of the first has an egalitarian flavor, while that of a latter has a nationalistic flavor. The substance of the two dishes is identical.

HIstorically, communism arose first, and then fascism emerged from it later - as a variation in response to unique historical circumstances.

Basically, when socialists come to power in a revanchist state (Germany and Italy post-1919) you get fascism.

N.B. As the USSR matured, it become more nationalistic. Apparently nationalism proved a sounder basis for propaganda than egalitarianism. Likewise with communist China and North Korea. So, even this distinction (in flavor of propaganda) is questionable.

[CarPi]

Nice overview of the differences of the two governments. However, in practice, Communism is almost always a better choice than Fascism.

[Carlybee]

Why can't they be brothers? Just sayin...

[r3volution 3.0]

Nice overview of the differences of the two governments. However, in practice, Communism is almost always a better choice than Fascism.

[William R]

bump

[Henry Rogue]

Nice overview of the differences of the two governments. However, in practice, Communism is almost always a better choice than Fascism.

Stalin killed more people than Hitler did and that's not counting combatants. Of course Stalin was in power longer too, so maybe a better comparison would be to take each of their most extreme killing years.
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthr...overnment-quot

[heavenlyboy34]

Mises' "Socialism" is a better explanation.

[heavenlyboy34]

Hanan's point about iconography is a bit weak, as similar iconography has been and is used in the US and throughout the West.

[Ronin Truth]

By their body counts ye shall know them.

[ThePaleoLibertarian]

Nice overview of the differences of the two governments. However, in practice, Communism is almost always a better choice than Fascism.

One could argue that Nazism is specifically worse than communism, but every classically fascist society has been better than the USSR, the DPRK, Maoist China and all the rest.