communism vs fascism essay

Communism vs. Fascism

While communism is a system based around a theory of economic equality and advocates for a classless society, fascism is a nationalistic, top-down system with rigid class roles that is ruled by an all-powerful dictator. Both communism and fascism originated in Europe and gained popularity in the early to mid 20th century.

Comparison chart

What are communism and fascism.

As a socioeconomic system, communism considers all property to be communal — that is, owned by the community or by the state. This system also stresses the importance of a "classless" society, where there are no differences between the wealthy and the working classes, between men and women, or between races. While Marxist communism is the most common form of communism, there is also non-Marxist communism .

As is evident by multiple definitions of fascism , there is considerable variations in what social scientists call fascism . Nevertheless we will attempt to describe what it generally means. Fascism is also a political and economic system, but its focus is on the nation state, as ruled by a dictator, and on rigid social structure. Under fascism, hyper-masculinity , youth, and even violence and militarism are held in high regard. Any "outside" idea that conflicts with the nation state is undesirable; as such, fascism often shuns conservatism, liberalism , democracy, and communism, alike, and is also generally hostile toward equality for women and different races and people.

Communist Philosophy

Communism can be traced back to Thomas More , a prominent English Catholic who wrote about a society based around common ownership of property in Utopia in 1516. The origin of communism is most commonly associated with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their 1848 book The Communist Manifesto . Marx was a critic of the Industrial Revolution and felt working classes were taken advantage of under capitalism.

In the book, Marx and Engels propose a communist system, wherein property is communally owned by an atheistic , classless society, thus eliminating differences between workers ( proletariat ) and wealthy elites ( bourgeosie ). They argue that achieving this state would eliminate nearly all societal problems caused by inequity and exploitation and place mankind on a higher level of progress. However, Marx and Engels never describe how such a society can be created, leaving essentially a blank slate for others to fill in.

From 1917 to 1924, Vladimir Lenin led the Communist Party in Russia, establishing the structure and direction the ideology would take. His vision of a global communist state was little more than an extension of Marx's "worker's revolution." To that end, Lenin sought to influence communism and its development throughout Europe. However, internal party struggles for power led to the dismissal or exile of key leaders, such as Leon Trotsky , and left Russia's communist regime at the mercy of opportunism upon Lenin's death. Into that vacuum stepped Joseph Stalin , who eschewed theoretical matters in favor of solidifying power.

The development of communism around the world was influenced after the 1930s by economic issues, especially in post-colonial territories, such as parts of Africa and Asia, and in politically unstable regions in Central and South America. Although Russia tried to take a leadership role through economic and military influence, as did China in Asia, the lack of true economic success has thus far limited the gains made by communism.

Fascist Philosophy

Fascism is based around the glory of the nation state. Its origins can be traced to the nationalism movements of the late 19th century. Two Frenchmen, Charles Maurras and Georges Sorel , wrote about integral nationalism and radical syndicalist action as ways to create a more organic and prosperous society. These writings influenced Italian Enrico Corradini , who postulated a rationalist-syndicalist movement, led by aristocracy and anti-democratic forces. Combined with futurism , an early 20th century doctrine of forcing change (even resorting to violence), the seeds of fascism took root in Italy at the beginning of World War I . However, fascism formed in different ways in each country, succeeding (Italy, Germany, Spain, briefly in Portugal) or failing (France) in its own way.

Despite the different development processes, fascist regimes do share several characteristics in common, including extreme militaristic nationalism, opposition to parliamentary democracy , conservative economic policy that favors the wealthy, contempt for political and cultural liberalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy and the rule of elites, and the desire to create a Volksgemeinschaft (German for “people’s community”), in which individual interests are subordinated to the good of the nation. Two other characteristics emerged in practice: the binding of corporate interests to "the national will" and outright control of media leading to widespread propaganda.

This video seeks to explain the main differences between fascism and communism.

Social Structure and Class Hierarchies

Communists inspired by The Communist Manifesto believe class hierarchies must be abolished by the state seizing control of private property and industry, thereby abolishing the capitalist class. Likewise, they are often against other social constructs, such as rigid gender roles .

Contrary to communism 's goal of a classless society, fascism upholds a strict class structure, ensuring that every member of society has a specific, unchangeable role. Often in fascist societies women are restricted to the home and child-rearing, and a certain racial or ethnic group is considered superior, with national and ethnic unity encouraged at the expense of individuality and diversity. For example, Hitler's fascist regime glorified the Aryan race and called for the extermination of Jews, Gypsies, and Poles during World War II . Moreover, other groups with actual or perceived differences, including homosexuals, the disabled, and communists, were targeted during the Holocaust.

Political System

Both fascism and communism are against the democratic process but with some differences. Fascism looks down upon parliamentary democracy. Fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini participated in electoral politics before coming to power. But after seizing power, fascist leaders tended to abolish political parties, oppose universal suffrage and became dictators and Rulersrulers for life.

In communist countries, democracy might be the path to power (a communist majority is elected), but single-party rule is the prevailing tendency. Although elections may continue to be held, a country's Communist Party is often the only body eligible to place candidates on the ballot. Leadership in the party is usually based on seniority rather than merit. A central ruling committee within the party governs debate (allowing or disallowing it) and essentially establishes the "line" the party follows. Although communism preaches inclusion, the tendency is toward elitism and concentration of power within the party leadership alone. [1]

Economic System

Communism is based on the equal distribution of wealth. The tenet of Marxian communism was "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Everyone in society receives an equal share of the benefits derived from labor, e.g., food and money. In order to ensure that everyone receives an equal amount, all means of production are controlled by the state.

Fascism allows for private enterprise, but its economic system is focused entirely on strengthening and glorifying the state. Both Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany aimed for self-sufficiency, so that each country could survive entirely without trade with other nations. See fascist corporatism .

Individual Rights

In both communism and fascism, individual choice or preference matter less than society as a whole. In communism, religion and private property are both abolished, the government controls all labor and wealth, and individual choices such as one's job or education tend to be dictated by the government. While private property is permitted in fascism, most other choices are also controlled to increase the strength of the state.

History of Fascism and Communism in Practice

The first real-world example of Marxist Communism was in Russia in 1917, when the Bolshevik Party seized control in the October Revolution . Russian leaders of the time, such as Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, were seen as examples worthy of emulation in other countries, spearheading the growth of communist parties throughout Europe. In reaction to what was seen as a growing communist menace, fascism appeared in Italy and Germany.

Modern Fascism originated in Italy in the 1920s, when Benito Mussolini gained control and coined the term “fascism” to describe his form of government. The focus was on nationalism rather than inclusion in a "global communist state" that many feared would create puppets of Russia's communist party. To keep workers from seizing control of their workplaces, corporations and key economic engines were taken over by the government (nationalized), uniting business and government into monopolies . Fascism then spread throughout Europe, including to Germany beginning in 1933 with the Nazis, and Portugal in 1934.

Communism spread throughout Europe and Asia, establishing a constant presence in the political debates of leading countries such as England, France, and the U.S. In China, the rise of the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, was the result of a civil war. The "fall of China" to communism caused major concern in Europe and the U.S., one that was placed on hold with the outbreak of World War II.

After the war, the Soviet Union was formed, forcibly adding several countries to its communist coalition. China became active in its Asian sphere of influence, backing North Korea against U.S.-supported South Korea in the Korean War, eventually helping its ally to remain a communist nation. Vietnam was also a test case in a war that had the U.S. playing the role of "defender of democracy" against the specter of a communist-based " domino theory ." The U.S. lost this war, and neighboring countries, Laos and Cambodia, established communist governments.

Communism also found footholds in South America, Central America, and Africa. However, many of these regimes were toppled by subsequent coups or undermined by U.S. influence. One exception is Cuba, where its government was overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces in 1959 and declared allegiance to the Soviet Union; it has since remained a communist nation.

Fascism was defeated in World War II, but Spain, under Francisco Franco , continued a fascist regime until the 1970s. Other fascist regimes emerged in South America and Africa, but failed to remain in power for long.

The spread of communism, though extensive, was probably less successful than it could have been due to the lack of collaboration between the Soviet Union and China, each espousing a different "true communist" philosophy. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 and the economic depression of China that lasted over 50 years, added to the failure of other communist governments, led to a large-scale abandonment of communism as a political theory.

Modern Examples

As of 2015, China, Cuba, and North Korea are the most prominent of about a dozen communist countries (out of over 210 in the world). However, China has adopted basic capitalist practices to develop the world's fastest-growing and largest economy, Cuba has agreed to normalize relations with the U.S. (including economic development), and the "theocratic communism" of North Korea, where the Kim family is seen as god-like, may end as discussions for reunification with South Korea are in the works.

No countries are currently operate under a fascist philosophy, but neo-fascists (or neo-Nazis ) exist in many countries, including the U.S.

Popular Communists and Fascists

Noted supporters of communism in the U.S include singers Woody Guthrie , Pete Seeger , and Paul Robeson ; activists Angela Davis and Bill Ayers ; and noted spies Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs . Many people openly supported communism in the 1920s and 1930s. But the 1950s saw the rise of Senator Joe McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) , which launched hundreds of "investigations" in search of communist sympathizers. Although belief in communism is not a crime under U.S. law, and these activities ultimately found very little evidence of a communist conspiracy, a substantial number of people suffered irreparable harm to their reputations, such as those on the Hollywood blacklist .

Some famous Americans and companies were involved with the fascist regimes of Europe, particularly Nazi Germany, although most later withdrew their open support. Among the best known were aviator Charles Lindbergh , newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst , industrialist Henry Ford , and Joseph Kennedy (father of John F. and Ted Kennedy), .

Communism and Fascism in Capitalistic Systems

Many people consider capitalism , communism, and fascism to be entirely separate systems, but there are shared elements. In capitalist systems, the presence of "public domain" works, to be shared by all, follows a communist principle, as does a system of public education. Employee-owned companies follow a communist model in giving workers the same rights and privileges as owners.

Lobbying is a fascist trait in capitalist systems, especially the U.S., for it allows, and even encourages, business wealth to influence legislation. This allows corporations to cement alliances with government power and supersede citizen's rights. An extension of this principle is seen in the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court , which grants "free speech" rights to corporations.

• Fascism - Encyclopædia Britannica
• Communism - Encyclopædia Britannica
• Fascism - Wikipedia
• Definitions of fascism - Wikipedia
• Communism - Wikipedia
• How Communism Works - HowStuffWorks
• How Fascism Works - HowStuffWorks
• Communism Definition - Dictionary.com
• Fascism Definition - Dictionary.com

Related Comparisons

Share this comparison via:

If you read this far, you should follow us:

"Communism vs Fascism." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 6 Jun 2024. < >

Comments: Communism vs Fascism

Anonymous comments (4).

May 29, 2014, 4:04pm nice article — 141.✗.✗.30

August 28, 2013, 1:13pm Great description of the two social movements. I'm not sure where claims of bias towards the description of communism in this article are rooted ( I've read several books on the subject and this description seems right on the money ). Perhaps this is just bias towards the movement itself ..... — 99.✗.✗.154

May 1, 2013, 6:39pm Like this chart is the definition of a good chart. — 69.✗.✗.86

March 23, 2014, 2:28am North Korea is not a communist nation. It is a facist dictatorship in which a single person has absolute authority. As your chart correctly states, there has never been a communist nation. Communist movements are quickly hijacked by opportunistic dictators. — 76.✗.✗.223

• Communism vs Socialism
• Capitalism vs Socialism
• Conservative vs Liberal
• Democracy vs Republic
• Left Wing vs Right Wing
• Communism vs Democracy
• Commonwealth vs State
• Confederation vs Federation

Edit or create new comparisons in your area of expertise.

Stay connected

© All rights reserved.

Communism and Fascism are Different fact

Fascism Vs. Communism: The Difference Between Communism and Fascism

Both Communism and Fascism can be similar in practice in their authoritative forms, but the two are very different ideologically.

An Introduction to the Difference Between Communism, Fascism, and the Other Forms of Socialism

Communism and Fascism are both conformist and collectivist ideologies that generally reject liberalism, democracy, capitalism, and all other forms of government aside from their own.

One could argue each ideology stems from socialism and are “evolutions of socialism.” Although our modern understanding of socialism can make this concept confusing, it is none-the-less arguably historically accurate given the origins of both ideologies (where each grew partly at least out of existing socialist movements).

Despite the similarities between Communism and Fascism (and all the confusion that arises from them both having a history of acting militant and authoritarian in practice after raising up “ strong men ” to power), they are none-the-less very different in terms of their stances on a number of issues, including “ left-right ” social issues specifically. Consider:

• Communism is a socially left-wing  “egalitarian” evolution of socialism focused on class equality, a planned economy, the elimination of bourgeois property, and inclusive social equality in general . In other words, on-paper, Communism is “left-wing socialism” focused on social equality. On-paper they are globalists and internationalists who call for a workers’ revolution to overthrow an oppressive class of capitalists that arose during industrialization. They reject the idea of classes and nations generally, aiming for a classless global society where all are equal. The general problem with this is that the extreme central planning and the focus on equality tends to lend itself to a despotic military state devoid of liberty (where all are equally under the rule of a despot and their government/military). One who wants to understand Communism in theory should read Marx and Engels’  Manifesto of the Communist Party  (or see our page on Marx’s class theory ). One who wants to understand it in practice should study the history of figures like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Chavez, and Castro.
• Fascism is a socially right-wing “hierarchical” evolution of socialism focused on exclusive social hierarchy and nationalism, which may or may not implement a socialist economy . In other words, on-paper, Fascism can be thought of as “right-wing socialism” focused on social hierarchy and nationalism. On-paper they are anti-globalists and nationalists who call for a totalitarian hierarchical state based on factors like merit, nationality, and race. For the core group that is left, on-paper, a type of socialism is typically promised (where socialism is promised to all with Communism, socialism tends to be promised to the in-group with Fascism). Unlike Communism, Fascism seeks to destroy its enemy (Communism, on-paper, wants its enemy to assimilate). The general problem with this is that the forced hierarchy tends to lend itself toward a despotic military state devoid of liberty, and the aggressive exclusiveness tends to lead to fascists making more enemies than friends. One who wants to understand Fascism in theory should read Mussolini’s  Doctrine of Fascism  (or see our page on Hitler, Mussolini, and fascism ). One who wants to understand it in practice should study the history of figures like Mussolini and Hitler and groups like the KKK.

TIP : Both Communism and Fascism can technically be democratic or not. In WW2 they both started out democratic, and then became “not.” Likewise, both can be authoritative or not, in WW2 they started out as revolutionary and then became authoritative once they got in power. Just like there are many forms of socialism or liberalism, there are also many forms of Communism and Fascism in practice. So keep all of that in mind. These ideologies had very nasty results historically, but try not to form a bias that has you painting these ideologies with a broad brush. To know why we don’t Communism and Fascism, we must understand them for what they are.

TIP : In the modern west, the average citizen is a type of liberal who rejects kings and embraces the liberal state (from a center-right or center left vantage point). Thus, most westerners are not “exactly the same” as Communists or Fascists. With that said, In terms of modern movements, Communism is closer to left-wing populism and social liberalism , and Fascism is closer to right-wing populism and social conservatism . That isn’t a judgement call, that is a comparison of planks. Certainly, the issue is clouded when both factions dress in black and trade blows, but 1. a look at Charlottesville 2017 shows that we can still tell the left from the right, and 2. one could argue that in those cases both the populist left and right are actually being “Anarchists” (consider, Antifa is more an Anarchist group than a Communist group; although one can also be an Anarcho-communist)… Anarchism is yet another extreme and related reaction to liberalism, but let’s not get bogged down with it here… as anarchy too has a left and right-wing.

The Main Similarities Between Communism and Fascism

Both Communism and Fascism are collectivist and conformist, as noted above, both also generally reject liberalism ,  individualism ,  democracy , capitalism , and republicanism  (specifically rejecting the political, social, and economic inequalities of the liberal state born in the era of industrialization ). Consequently, both can require a high level of centralized state control.

That state control of both has historically led to despotism and tyranny in practice, which makes the two appear even more similar than they actually are, but here one must realize that socialism comes in many forms  (just consider the many socialist parties of the Weimar Republic ), and not all those forms have the same effect (for example, social democracy  is pretty far from a Stalinism  in terms of its stance on authority and liberty, both in on-paper ideology and effect). [1]

In truth, it is important to note that even the most statist forms of Communism and Fascism only “lend themselves to despotism”, they aren’t “ necessarily despotic” on paper (well by many measures at least). Furthermore, even when they are despotic in practice, they both tend to be despotic in different ways (they both tend to “purge”, but who they “purge”, how, and why differs by ideology).

TIP : Consider, many who died under Communism died from war and starvation. Communists tend to take workers off the farms and put them in the factory or battlefield, and thus they tend to experience food shortages and cause mass famine. Yes, they also purge, even committing genocide like the fascists, but one should consider that starvation is a major theme of both Stalin’s Russia and Mao’s China. Critics of Communism like to leave that detail out when they tell you about the countless people who died “because Communism” (a number they sometimes add all general WWII deaths too for impact), but that is where many of the deaths actually come from. See  Mass killings under Communist regimes . If I told you that people treat Fascism and Communism unfairly due to bias, it wouldn’t even begin to clue you in to the story. This doesn’t mean they are “good” ideologies, but one should note that reality and propaganda aren’t the same thing today, nor have they ever been in any nation.

TIP : Both Communism and Fascism can be said to be  types of timocracies classically speaking . Both are reminiscent of the timocracy of Sparta (a military state, with a planned economy, focused on specific “ virtues of state “, mixed with aspects of collectivist equality for the in-group).

The Main Difference Between Communism and Fascism

With those similarities in mind,  the main difference between Communism and Fascism is:

Communism is an inclusive socially left-wing ideology focused on a planned economy, classlessness, and global social equality , and Fascism is an exclusive right-wing ideology focused on nationalism, social hierarchy, and the state as a civil religion . [2] [3]

With that said, there is a world of difference between the different types of Communism and Fascism.

On-paper Marxism (a mostly non-authoritative philosophy), Leninism (a radical Bolshevik evolution of Marxism), Stalinism (a Despotic form of post-Leninism and an example of Nationalist Communism), and Maoism (a unique, Nationalist, Chinese take on Marxism and Stalinism) are all very different, and  Luegerism  (a Christian Socialist Anti-Semitic right-wing socialism), Mussolini’s National Fascism (a more republican form fascism that wasn’t as xenophobic), and Hitler’s National Socialism (pure xenophobic tyranny, despite its understandable rejecting of the inequality in the liberal state in the Weimar Republic ) were all very different as well.

Again, extreme authoritarianism always looks rather despotic, and often produces similar effects, but that only speaks to the “liberty vs. authority” left-right paradigm, not the social issue paradigm of “social equality vs. social hierarchy” (the main way in which Communism and Fascism differ).

One way to look at a general left-right political spectrum. In this model the left and right intersect at two points (the top and bottom). Here the vertical denotes authority vs. liberty (where liberty is left) and the horizontal denotes “social equality and cooperation vs. social hierarchy and competition” (where social equality and cooperation is left). The left-wing tends to favor equality and liberty, and the right-wing authority, hierarchy, tradition, and order in general terms. However, real-life ideologies are complex and “mixed”, thus left-right politics should be discussed not only in absolute terms, but in comparative terms issue by issue (accounting for real governing vs. rhetoric) . Here we can see visually how Fascism and Communism are different in terms of social factors related to social equality. We can’t say it all here, the logic behind our theory is explained on our page on the left-right spectrum .

The Main Problems With Communism and Fascism

The main problem with these ideologies isn’t their virtues, such as equality or nationalism (as those are virtues even in a Republican democracy).

The main problem is the aggressive, collectivist, and totalitarian nature each lends itself too, because [to paraphrase Mussolini] “if liberalism spells individualism and liberty, fascism and communism spell collectivism and central planning”… and that creates a world of problems (especially when fascism’s exclusive ideology translates to “purging” a race or communism’s inclusive ideology starts excluding everyone who won’t conform).

Below we explore more differences and similarities between Communism, Fascism, and Socialism in various forms to show the general difference between Communism and Fascism.

NUANCES : Credit where credit is due, socialism comes in many forms and some of those forms don’t call for the level of central planning that communism does, and some actually seek simply to create a more socially equal liberal state through democratic means. Meanwhile, some forms of fascism also seek to exist within the liberal state (although quasi-fascist groups like “ Right-wing Populists ” and “ the KKK ” tend to want to “ deconstruct the liberal state from within “… which is a little different from say “ social democracy .”)

WW2 : Not only do both forms generally reject the western values of our modern western democratic and liberal republics, but both forms generally reject each other’s “solution” to global inequality. This is true to the extent that they are willing to fight over it, as one might remember from history where the Allies (which contained the Communists like Russia) and the Axis (which contained the fascists) were the main factions of WW2.

Ways in Which Fascism and Communism are Different

With the introduction covered, below we will look at different aspects of Communism and Fascism in general and in their different iterations.

Two Different Evolutions of Socialism that Generally Reject the Liberal Democratic State

Fascism and Communism are both an evolution of socialism, and a rejection of liberalism  and democracy.

Both see the world through an empirical lens (generally rejecting religion alongside democracy, liberalism, and capitalism; but with fascism being more nihilistic in general, but both generally being somewhat non-religious in Jacobin fashion).

However, as noted above, Communism is socially left-wing, inclusive, egalitarian, and focused on class equality and a planned economy, and Fascism is socially right-wing, exclusive, nationalist, and focused on the state as a Civil Religion (offering a right-wing evolution of socialism to its  in-group only, and in Hitler’s cases, “purging” others by violent means).

Both Communism and Fascism are conformist, anti-individualist, and  collectivist ideologies.

Both Communism and Fascism call for some degree of authoritarianism (especially Fascism which demands it on-paper as a virtue of their Civil Religion; although I admit, not every form of fascism requires it).

Both reject other forms of socialism despite themselves evolving from it, both reject liberalism and democracy despite evolving from them.

Both are populist , both want revolutionary action and dominance in the state, both reject economic liberalism and capitalism (they reject liberalism in the political and economic sphere), both are  anti-bourgeoisie  and anti-elite, and both have become despotic in practice.

Despite their shared roots, their similarities in theory, and their similar despotic and militaristic WWII forms, their left-right ideological differences, their differences of class and economy, and their differences of how inclusive they are make them two very different “ civil religions “.

FACT : In Plato’s  Republic , he describes a timocracy as a militaristic state (using  Sparta  as an example). In-practice many Communist and Fascist states end up being “tyrannical”, but speaking in classical terms, both the historic Communist and Fascist states have what we can call “timocratic” features. Communism also notably shares a “love of equality” with Democracy, while both ideologies reject the pure liberty Democracy offers. Both Communism and Fascism can be said to be rejecting the inequality that arose from the Western Republics which used a mix of Democracy, Oligarchy, and Monarchy / Aristocracy to create their “classically liberal” Republics.

Understanding the Differences Between Communism and Fascism in Historical Terms

Communism and Fascism both have features we can trace to much older governments (for example,  Sparta ). With that in mind, their modern forms both arise as a response to social, political, economic inequality  in the modern liberal West, starting in the mid 1800’s with Marx (whose socialist ideology eventually becomes the basis of Communism).

Fascism comes after WWI, evolving from Mussolini’s rejection of liberalism and socialism (while retaining a few liberal and socialist planks, as we can see evidenced well in Hitler’s party name: “the National Socialist German Workers’ Party”).

Although Fascism and Communism share similar socialist roots and some similar features, their response to social, political, economic inequality in the liberal democratic capitalist state couldn’t have been more different.

To express the differences between Communism and Fascism again in more detail:

Communism is a socially left-wing ideology that denotes social equality, a planned economy, and the elimination of the class system in order to create a more equal global society (a globe without states or classes). It can become authoritative in its means of achieving a revolution and planning the state, but its underlying qualities are focused on social equality, as can be confirmed by  Manifesto of the Communist Party . Anyone can choose to become a Communist if they submit to the ideology.

Fascism denotes intense authoritarian “totalitarian” nationalism, is often militaristic, and can be seen as an evolution of socialism (often offering aspects of socialism to its in-group). It is meant to be authoritative and expansive, it is a purposely aggressive civil religion. It is an ideology of “action and thought”. Although it is not specifically prejudice on paper in Mussolini’s writings, it was in Hitler’s writings, and history shows that Fascism’s focus on Nativism, Nationalism, Authority, Aggression, Progressive Militarism, and Totalitarianism is primed to lead xenophobic policies like those of NAZIs in practice. As can be confirmed by  Mussolini’s  Doctrine of Fascism . One must be part of a Fascist’s in-group to join a fascist movement, Fascism is exclusive in any form, but it is especially exclusive in forms like Hitler’s National Socialism (which had racial requirements).

BOTTOMLINE : Both Fascism and Communism can be seen as  left-right populist   anti-bourgeoisie proletariat  movements, each with its own unique solution for battling inequality, and each with its own sticking points on-paper and in-action. Fascism does this by being exclusive to a smaller group (offering aspects of socialism to its in-group, but generally mainly offering nationalism and state-based authority), and Communism does this by being inclusive to a larger national, and sometimes even international, group (offering social equality and a planned economy for all). With that said, despite their positive on-paper qualities, both have a tendency to become despotic in-practice (as we saw in practice with the WWII Communist and Fascist governments), and it is in this despotic form that the two begin to seem less-and-less different (as despotism generally will always look like despotism no matter what it calls itself). Despite any similarities, these two distinct evolutions of socialism have historically considered themselves fully at odds with each other and attracted two very different types of followers.

Considering the Different Types of Fascists, Communists, and Socialists

As one may have gleaned from the above, there is actually a good deal of difference between different types of fascists, communists, and socialists in general.

For example, Mussolini’s fascist doctrine doesn’t mention anything about race, but a main plank of Hitler’s fascism (which was inspired by Mussolini) was based on anti-semitism. Likewise, although Hitler was in the Nationalist wing of his NAZI party, after he took over the party they still retained some socialist aspects in-practice well into WWII (unlike Mussolini’s fascists).

Consider, the KKK in America is a liberal, and in some cases democratic and capitalist, group that is “nationalist” in its own unique way. Despite all this, the KKK can still be considered fascist due to sharing key planks with the fascist doctrine.

The KKK’s brand of fascism is different than Mussolini or the National Socialists, but despite the differences all these groups are fascist in terms of their stance on their in-group, “others”, conformity, and “nationalism”.

Meanwhile we can point to different communist groups who use varying degrees of authority from true Marxists, to Leninists, to Maoists, to Stalinists. Here we can note their commonalities of a planned state and conformity despite the militaristic, authoritarian, and even nationalist position of extreme figures like Stalin.

All the aforementioned ideologies are generally opposed to liberalism, classism, the establishment, socialism, and capitalism, but as we have already illustrated, that is not always the case.

TIP : Confusingly some Fascist and Communist ideologies can share more in common with each other than they do with other Communist or Fascist factions. For example Hitler and Stalin both favored about the same degree of Planned economy, and Mussolini and modern Communist China both ended up relying on capitalism and classism.

NOTES : Are you seeing a pattern? If not I’ll spell it out, it is that the statist nature of fascism and communism both lend themselves to rule by militaristic authoritarianism in-practice . Fascism sets out to be this way, but Communism lends itself to despotism and tyranny in practice with its acceptance of a planned economy. Few are going to “enjoy” reading Marx or Mussolini, but if we don’t understand how these ideologies started philosophically and where they ended up in-action, and if we don’t understand their relation to the wants of the left and right , then we risk not learning important lessons from history (and thus risk “being doomed to repeat them”).

More Differences Between Communism and Fascism

Above we covered some basic differences between the two ideologies which we saw in their extreme forms in WWII, below we’ll cover some more details.

• Both Fascism and Communism can be described as socialist, in that they want a state-based social system and economy (aka protection for their in-group) . With that said, one should consider: both ideologies generally rejected most forms of socialism, in practice all systems tend to be “mixed”, in-practice”socialism” tends to be code for authoritarian state-based control, and fascism specifically doesn’t tend to be fully socialist in practice.
• One should not confuse communism with socialism or think that just because an ideology is not socialist it can’t be fascist . Fascism’s rejection of individualism and focus on national identity and the state are more its doctrine than its socialist roots.
• Consider, most militaries are socialist, because it makes little to no sense to have soldiers pay for their own guns, training, healthcare, etc (although it is not unheard of). Despots typically run their country like a military, regardless of what they call their ideology on paper. This is one reason both ideologies get confused, despotism and tyranny always looks like despotism and tyranny in extremes.
• Both Fascism and Communism generally arise in a democratic liberal capitalist environment and seek to push back against these things. So neither is generally liberal, democratic, or capitalist (once they get in power; like Hitler they may “arise” in this democratic environment, but they arise to change it ). One can argue that Lenin arose in a rather authoritative state, but like with any generalization we make, there are nuances (so lets not get bogged down with those details yet).
• Both these ideologies can be authoritative or not , their authoritative forms are far more similar and offensive (speaking from the position of a democrat, liberal, or republican) than their non-authoritative forms. It would be hard to follow Mussolini’s doctrine without being authoritarian, but as noted above, but technically one could be a non-authoritarian fascist.   NOTE : Whenever an ideology is authoritarian, we can generally say it is “ to the political right ” of a liberty-minded ideology in terms of authority vs. liberty.
• Both types also generally tend to be populist , arising from a peoples’ movement .
• Communism (being partly a statement on economy) and Fascism (being partly a statement on Nationalism) aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive . They are almost always at odds in-action do to their left-right differences. However,  Sparta is historic proof that a state can have both fascist and communist elements (notably without becoming fully tyrannical communist or fascist).
• Technically speaking,  both Communism and Fascism can be right-wing (when authoritarian) or left-wing (when not) in terms of authority or even in terms of social policy for the in-group (even when when one is always left-wing in terms of in-group and the other right-wing).
• Both ideologies can be fascist in terms of sameness and conformity (and at a Stalinist extreme, even in terms of nationalism) . Communism wants conformity to classless equality, Fascism wants conformity to the structure that best suites the needs of the state.

Here we can note: It makes sense as to why people confuse these ideologies in general when they become militaristically aggressive nationalistic and authoritative.

Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, and Mao are great examples of figures taking anything defensible about either ideology and casting it aside to become essentially the same thing: despotic, tyrannical, militaristic, and authoritarian statists.

With that said, below we seek to understand not only tyrants, but the ideologies which bred them. We know Sparta worked alright even if it was no Athens , so why did all the WWII extreme ideologies go to heck in their attempts to reject liberalism? A simple answer is “ extremes are corrupting “, but perhaps there is more to it than that.

TIP : As you can see in the left-right chart below, despite left-wing and right-wing qualities of an ideology, when they become militaristic, despotic, statist, and authoritarian they look very similar. Everyone on the left is “more like a Communist” and everyone on the right is “more like a Fascist”, but when it comes to the extreme versions, Fascism and Communism are more like each other than anything else (minus the in-group / out-group on-paper difference). They are like each other because they are both “Tyrannical” and “Statist”.

Understanding Communism and Fascism By Looking at their WWII Forms

Above we discussed the WWII ideologies in general, below we look at their WWII forms specifically.

The simplest way to understand the WWII versions of Socialism, Communism, and Fascism is to look at NAZI Germany in the 20’s and early 30’s . This is because almost all parties were either socialist, nationalist, or communist (thus it shows clearly that these forms are not “the same”; but rather “opposed” to each other).

In the Weimar Republic the left consisted of the Communists (KPD) and the Social Democrats (SPD). The Center consisted of the Democratic party (DDP), the Catholic Center Party (Z) and the People’s Party (DVP). The right consisted of the German Nationalist Party (DNVP) and the National Socialist Party (NSDAP-Nazi). [4]

The most important of the radical anti-Republican parties were the communists on the left and the National Socialists (Nazis) on the right.

These two extreme forms of socialism disagreed violently, and looking at what they didn’t agree on is this the clearest way to understand that they are very different.

The difference revolves around the argument over what extreme socialism should look like, should it be inclusive and global (Communism) or exclusive and nationalist (Fascism).

The divide is between  left-wing and right-wing versions of extreme quasi-socialism, not between other political ideologies (like liberalism and its left and right wings).

In these comparative terms, Fascism is the extreme right-wing and Communism is the extreme left-wing, because even though they are both authoritative, one favors a bigger group (which is “more left”).

During WWII, Mussolini , an ex-Socialist fascist , and Hitler , a Nationalist in the Nationalist wing of his party , were fascists in practice… but, so are some American groups like the Know-Nothings , KKK , and even the ex-Democratic and later Republican Senator Joe McCarthy  and his House un-American Crusade against Communism (who ironically headed a committee to prevent Fascism and Communism in America). [5] [6] [7]

Meanwhile  Lenin and Stalin were Communists… but so were some early Unions, aspects of  FDR ‘s New Deal, and some policies like war-time taxation  like the Revenue Act of 1935 . [8] [9] [10]

As one can note above, socialist communism and fascism aren’t inherently left or right, militant, authoritarian, or aggressive in every setting, but they are in their extreme forms and are absolutely slippery slopes away from liberalism in practice.

Putting aside centered shades of each found in liberal figures and factions like FDR or the Tea Party, the extreme totalitarian versions of fascism and communism are almost always ugly in practice.

It is no wonder people confuse the two authoritative ideologies that demand conformity, especially when fascism adopts some planks of a socialist platform of nationals… but despite this, there is a key difference in the size of in-groups and policy toward out-groups, and other key differences like from which ideologies both arise (with fascism specifically rejecting Marxist Communism).

Given the complexity, and the fact that they almost destroyed the world, both terms merit a closer examination. Below we explore further differences and similarities between the two WWII era conformist ideologies that attempted to push back against globalization and economic inequality (each in its own unique way), but ultimately ended up looking similar in practice due to their authoritarian and militant nature.

TIP : It is a mistake to assume both Hitler and Stalin (or Mussolini and Lenin) were purely left-wing (or right-wing for that matter). I strongly suggest not trying to scapegoat political terms here , as each ideology comes in many forms ( see the many types of socialism and nationalism Germany in the 1920’s alone ). Zeroing in on term like socialism or nationalism can really confuse the conversation and make us think social liberal policy or nationalist policy (and not extreme nationalist nativist fascist policy and extreme communist policy) is the key here. It isn’t. Loosely speaking, from a modern frame, Stalin is like Bernie Sanders on evil steroids and Trump is like Hitler on evil steroids. If you think both Hitler and Stalin are like modern centered social liberals (or modern centered conservative nationalists), you’ll miss many of the lessons WWII taught us… And that sounds like the beginning of a sentence that ends in, “and are thus doomed to repeat it”. Socialism and Nationalism are slippery slopes, but the real red flag here is  extremes , not any specific broad ideology . National Fascism/Socialism and Communism are the extreme forms, and each has a lesson to teach about the extremes of left and right respectively from this frame. It is a lesson for all, not just left-wingers or right-wingers. Learn more about why Hitler was a right-wing fascist and not a left-wing socialist… despite the NAZIs being the National Socialist party and fascism being born from ideologies like socialism and nationalism  if you need more clarification on this complex but vital point.

TIP : When looking at WWII, it’s important to realize that Marxist Communism (as in a system structured as suggested by Marx) was never truly implemented. Meanwhile, Hitler implemented what I would define as Fascist National Socialism. If you were the perfect German, you saw a pure form of fascism, nationalism, and socialism. Hitler loved Germany; he was an imperialistic bloodthirsty tyrant as well. This isn’t true for Stalin, who took power after Lenin. Lenin died before he could create the system he envisioned. Stalin was a paranoid tyrant who cared nothing for philosophy. He used Communist ideology to justify the forced labor that industrialized Russia and helped defeat Hitler at Stalingrad.  As many as 60 million Russians died, possibly an overestimate, under his watch, with as many as 50 million, again probably an overestimate, directly linked to Stalin. For Stalin, Communism was just an excuse for totalitarianism. Both Hitler and Stalin are widely considered to have brought great harm to the world; these negative versions of Fascism and Communism serve well for comparison. Of the three rulers, only Hitler implemented the system he promised as Lenin, not Stalin, was the one who admired political philosophy. [11] [12]

TIP : The debate over political correctness is related to these two terms. Being overly PC is a type of “cultural Marxism” (an intolerance of intolerance), but being anti-PC can be either a type of “cultural fascism” (roughly an intolerance of tolerance) or “cultural laissez-faire-ism” (a tolerance of intolerance). The PC debate is a modern take on the debate surrounding tolerance. See more on that theory on our “ tolerance as a form of intolerance ” page.

Is Socialism the Same as Communism or Fascism?

It is vital to understand that communism and socialism are different as are socialism and fascism.

Just as there is more than one type of democracy or more than one way to structure a republic, or more than one type of capitalism, there is more than one type of socialism. Learn more about the forms of government or the ideologies that all parties are based on .

It’s also vital to understand these are socio-economic systems and not just economic systems. China is a communist state with a capitalist subsystem. In the sense of taking absolutist position and demanding conformity,  Mises was a bit of a fascist when it came to his absolute dedication to capitalism and individualism ; and I can’t think of anyone less of a socialist.

These terms are broad, but that is exactly why we are analyzing them.

Below we look at the commonalities and differences between Fascism and Communism in theory and practice, using the very well constructed  diffen.com  chart as a starting point and (heavily) editing.

The main goal of this page will be to point out that nationalism and socialism can be good, but they are ripe fruit for authoritarians and totalitarians. In this, they show their weakness, as dictators are almost always harmful to their countries and there is nothing they love more than a centralized one-party state.

A Comparison of Communism and Fascism

Communism and Fascism are both systems based on conformity. The main difference is Communism is an ideal utopia for all and Fascism promises a militaristic utopia for nationals only. Either way, they can both be described as a type of centralized national socialism. Despite core differences, their conforming nature makes them a favorite of authoritarians, especially in countries where the average citizen is suffering economically and is thus easily dominated.

TIP : Communism is a socio-economic system, not a purely economic system. China is a Communist state  but has a capitalist sub-system. It’s hard to argue that China doesn’t work when we look at the top ten companies in the world . It’s also hard to argue Fascism doesn’t work when we look at Sparta or aspects of Rome. [13] Socialism is a successful social strategy; it comes in many forms, these are the two most extreme forms:

TIP : Content in this table is from  diffen.com.  It has been edited and annotated. We typically avoid any copy-paste on this site, but the subject is complex, and this was well written. Will probably ween ourselves off their format over time, but we want to make sure due credit is given.

• Types of socialism
• Communism vs. Fascism
• Weimar Political Parties
• Marxist Communism
• As many as 60 million Russians died, possibly an overestimate,
• Communism as a Philosophy

Some people see the words Communism and Fascism and assume they are different, but i’ve heard many people and articles insinuate they are the same (or essentially the same). While they are similar, they aren’t the same (or even essentially the same).

Given that they have vital differences, and given WWII was largely fought over them, this page was created to clarify: Communism and Fascism are two very different forms of socialism, although both lend themselves to authoritarians and totalitarians, which left such a bad taste in the world’s mouth they are often misunderstood.

Since those who don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it, its important to be clear about the differences and similarities between the two socialist ideologies. Its also important to be clear that less extreme versions of socialism are also a whole different beast. You can learn more about the types of parties here .

Thomas DeMichele is the content creator behind ObamaCareFacts.com, FactMyth.com, CryptocurrencyFacts.com, and other DogMediaSolutions.com and Massive Dog properties. He also contributes to MakerDAO and other cryptocurrency-based projects. Tom's focus in all...

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your vote: click your vote.

Marc Did not vote.

I think that this is a very complicated perspective, far more than people are capable of relating to who tend to be emotional and instinctual. There’s no way 99% of people are going to choose their preference with such discrete logic.

They make their choice based on their level of emotional maturity which had zero connection to chronological age.

Group think and low individualism are childish features, ergo narcissism leading to Socialism of all types. Communism, Fascism and Naziism. The Left Wing.

Rejection of group think and high individualism is how emotionally mature people naturally and universally think. That’s the Right Wing. Libertarianism and any other thing after that.

It’s all very, very simple just like humans are in the main.

If anyone equates Naziism or Fascism with the Right Wing then automatically assume they haven’t a clue what they’re talking about.

The author’s word salad is another strong clue.

Mr.I.D.Gaffe Doesn't beleive this myth.

Sorry but your breakdown and analysis began to lose out when ignoring that many a times publicly and privately the leader of the National Socialists identified heavily AS a Socialist. He borrowed from Mussolini to try and be a Softer version of Stalin…even regretted not purging the buguoise and old guard like Lenin and Stalin did before the end. As for the original Fascists they were organized much as Communists were through local regional trade unions. Eventually crushing out smaller buisnesses that couldn’t meet the Party’s mandates through a monopolzation of labor and high regulation. Where only crony and corrupt major businesses could survive…as long as they play ball with the state. If you want better examples in modern day…China is behaving much like their own form of National Socialism…whilst Russia, and COVID lockdown nations who bend the knee blindly to authority whilst their individual liberties are being regulated to impotence behave more as Mussolini’s Fascist Italy.

Ona Isbell Did not vote.

Do fascists use the left to gain power and retain it with the right?

Thomas DeMichele The Author Did not vote.

Sounds about right to me. Think history offers enough examples of fascists offering leftwing planks.

pfrancois Supports this as a Fact.

communism has no allegiance to a nation, globalism. fascism has total allegiance to a nation, anti globalists.

For sure, fully agree in terms of core ideologies in general (which is the main focus of the page). Think that is covered above. But this is for sure a key difference, so worth stating again.

Akima Tendo Doesn't beleive this myth.

When the VICTIMS do not see any difference between which arm – left or right – a murderer seig heils with… then why should the rest of us care?! Murder is murder – regardless of the slogans, labels, parties, leaders, etc. Time to drop ‘Left Wing’ or ‘Right Wing’ and the ‘Center’ – and see things from the Void… which sees Bloodbaths versus Nonviolence, avoiding aggression, and Nonsinning, avoiding harm to others. Save America’s Constitutional Republican Mortal State AND Liberal Democratic Mortal Society – vote for the ideas of 1776 and 1787… NOT Star Trek’s “Let This Be Your Last Battlefield’s” Loki (‘Left Wing’) and Bele (‘Right Wing’). Blessings of Buddha, Tao, Kami/Gods, Megami/Goddesses, Confucius, and Zen Masters and Mistresses from this humble little Japanese American shamaness. Cheers!

Dan Supports this as a Fact.

One thing I feel I should mention is that the word “Equality” is used in this article when perhaps it would be more accurate to use the word “Equity.” (Ex. from above: “…on-paper, Communism is “left-wing socialism” focused on social equality…”) Anyway, I say this in regards to Communism because equity is all about equal end results (ie. wealth redistribution in order to eliminate class disparities) vs equality, which would typically be used to describe equal treatment under the law- but not in such a way that it would force everyone to be uniform in the end.

Also, as an American, it’s often argued by those on the left that the folks on the right, or the right wing in general is fascist. However, most people in the US that (I’ve seen) differentiate between right and left are doing so under the notion that the far left end of the spectrum means more “state control or ownership” and the further right you go, the less things or policies that the state has control over. Eventually, if you were to go far enough to the right, we would reach variations of libertarianism and finally anarchy. For this reason, and the fact that the right believes in individualism whereas the left believes in collectivism, it appears that the left in the USA is in fact more inline with both fascism and communism than anyone on the right. P.S.- I’ve heard some socialists state that communism can potentially be a free-of-the-government, anarchist system as well. And they would be correct if that ever were the case but I don’t see how you could enforce equity for an entire nation without the strong arm and organization of government. Even in a small hippie commune I feel as though natural leaders or aggressors would rise into the role of the president or king pretty quickly. Seems impossible to me that there could be communism without rulers but perhaps I’m wrong and there is an example out there.

Just my $0.02.

Interesting thoughts, thanks!

misterears Did not vote.

This is true to the extent that they are willing to fight over it, as one might remember from history where the Allies (which contained the Communists like Russia) and the Axis (which contained the fascists) were the main factions of WW2.

Yes, “contained the Communists” is the key wording. The Allies were Fascist leaning but Hitler “went too far in bold aggression”. This can be seen with FDR admiring Mussolini innitially and Joe Kennedy Sr. and Lindberg being pro-Nazi initially.

America was forced (almost kicking and screaming) to fight to stop Hitler’s aggresssion and having USSR to join sealed the deal. So WW2 was a fight against bold aggression more than an ideology battle though it was ideological for Hitler when he invaded USSR. Recall Patton was ideologically correct, in wanting to keep going into USSR to route them out. The resultant WW2 peace agreement started the long and ugly cold war that Patton would have prevented, if he had had the authority to. That would have been a purely ideological war.

John Did not vote.

FDR was not a fascist sympathizer. His new deal polices were egalitarian and a check on rapacious capitalism. It goes without saying, I doubt FDR wanted to have even more wealth and power flow to a handful of industrialists, which is an inevitable outcome and platitude of fascism. Fascist sympathies from the US were simple: America had a large German heritage. Notice, we treated the Japanese much differently. We put them in camps and nuked them twice. That would have been unthinkable toward Germany. American tribalism has never been sophisticated or more obvious.

And Patton was barking mad due to his extremism. He was right in his wishes to keep the USSR completely out of Berlin, but that’s where it ends. His bloviating about marching to Moscow is probably a reason why we let the USSR have East Berlin.

Patton didn’t know when to keep his derangement in check. Patton: good soldier, horrible diplomat. He undermined our ability to negotiate with the USSR to leave Germany.

Sydney Did not vote.

Nice touch under the Fascism Ideals category haha c;

The “funny, not-funny” part is that this can be confirmed by Hitler and Mussolini’s major works.

See an explainer of that here: http://factmyth.com/factoids/hitler-was-a-socialist/ .

« The First Public Stocks Were Issued to Reduce Risks Related to Pirates

Lenin and stalin are real names ».

Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Communism — Communism And Fascism Similarities

Communism and Fascism Similarities

• Categories: Communism

About this sample

Words: 615 |

Published: Mar 14, 2024

Words: 615 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Government & Politics

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 543 words

2 pages / 860 words

3 pages / 1532 words

1 pages / 403 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Communism

Communism, as an ideological and economic system, has been the subject of extensive debate and experimentation throughout the 20th century. Advocates of communism argue for a classless society with shared resources, but history [...]

Communism was a dominant ideological force during the Cold War, a period of heightened tension and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The roots of communism can be traced back to the works of Karl Marx and [...]

Some claim the domino theory was the key reason for the US intervention in Asia as it halted communist progress, The Domino Theory was the belief that communism was spread from one nation to its neighbours and so on. It was [...]

Marx’s and Engels’ book talks extensively from the Conflict perspective, which deals with the Proletariat and the Bourgeoisie. The purpose of it is to expose the viewpoint and workings of the Communist Party. The Proletariat is [...]

Capitalism and communism have long been at the center of political and economic debates, with proponents of each system arguing for its superiority. While both systems have their merits, capitalism has proven to be the most [...]

In January 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushschev delivered a speech in Moscow in which he predicted that there would be a global movement towards socialism and mentioned that‘ wars of national liberation’ were instrumental in [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Communism vs. Fascism

What's the difference.

Communism and Fascism are two distinct political ideologies that emerged in the 20th century, each with its own set of principles and goals. While both systems are authoritarian in nature, they differ significantly in their economic and social structures. Communism advocates for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society, where the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. On the other hand, Fascism promotes a totalitarian regime led by a single dictator, emphasizing extreme nationalism, militarism, and the suppression of individual freedoms. Despite their differences, both ideologies have been associated with oppressive regimes and human rights abuses throughout history.

Further Detail

Introduction.

Communism and Fascism are two distinct political ideologies that emerged in the 20th century, each with its own set of attributes and principles. While both systems are authoritarian in nature, they differ significantly in their economic structures, social policies, and views on individual rights. This article aims to explore and compare the key attributes of Communism and Fascism, shedding light on their similarities and differences.

1. Economic Structure

Communism advocates for a classless society where the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole. In a communist system, private property is abolished, and resources are distributed based on the principle of "from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs." This means that the state plays a central role in planning and directing economic activities.

On the other hand, Fascism supports a mixed economy where private property exists, but the state exercises significant control over economic activities. While private businesses are allowed to operate, they are heavily regulated and directed by the government to serve the interests of the nation. Fascist economies often prioritize the needs of the state and national goals over individual economic freedom.

2. Social Policies

Communism aims to create a society where social classes are eradicated, and everyone is considered equal. It promotes the idea of collective ownership and collective decision-making, with the ultimate goal of achieving a classless society. In a communist system, social policies often focus on providing universal access to education, healthcare, and other basic necessities, aiming to ensure equal opportunities for all members of society.

Conversely, Fascism emphasizes the importance of a hierarchical society, where individuals are divided into distinct social classes based on their perceived value to the nation. Fascist regimes often promote nationalism, militarism, and the idea of a strong leader who embodies the will of the nation. Social policies in Fascism tend to prioritize the interests of the ruling elite and the dominant ethnic or national group, often leading to discrimination against minority groups.

3. Views on Individual Rights

Communism places a strong emphasis on collective rights and the well-being of the community over individual rights. While it aims to eliminate social inequalities, individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, press, and assembly are often limited or suppressed in communist regimes. The state exercises significant control over the lives of individuals to ensure conformity to the collective goals and ideology.

In contrast, Fascism tends to prioritize the interests of the state and the ruling elite over individual rights. While some individual freedoms may exist, they are often subject to the state's control and can be curtailed in the name of national security or the preservation of the regime. Fascist regimes tend to suppress dissent and opposition, promoting a strong sense of obedience and loyalty to the state.

4. Role of the State

In Communism, the state plays a central role in planning and directing economic activities, as well as ensuring social equality. It exercises control over various aspects of society, including the economy, education, and media. The state is seen as the primary vehicle for achieving the communist ideal of a classless society.

Similarly, Fascism advocates for a strong and centralized state that exercises significant control over all aspects of society. The state is viewed as the embodiment of the nation's will and acts as the ultimate authority. Fascist regimes often employ propaganda and censorship to shape public opinion and maintain control over the population.

While both Communism and Fascism are authoritarian ideologies, they differ in their economic structures, social policies, and views on individual rights. Communism aims for a classless society with collective ownership and decision-making, while Fascism supports a hierarchical society with private property but significant state control. Communism focuses on social equality and collective well-being, while Fascism prioritizes the interests of the state and ruling elite. Understanding these differences is crucial in analyzing the impact and consequences of these ideologies throughout history.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

3.4 Nationalism, Communism, Fascism, and Authoritarianism

Learning outcomes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Analyze nationalism.
• Discuss the central concepts of Marx’s political thought.
• Trace the development of Marxism-inspired political ideologies in the West.
• Assess the varieties of fascism and authoritarianism.
• Describe the core tenets of contemporary Chinese communism.

Nationalists see a national group as endowed with a distinctive culture and set of ties with other members. These ties often stir a nearly spiritual attachment to the national group. This attachment is often based on shared blood, history, and soil. One of the first defenders of nationalism as a political ideology, German philosopher Johann Gottfried von Herder (1744–1803), argued that if each nation looked inward and celebrated its own distinctive contributions, the world could enjoy international peace. 31 Other defenders of nationalism have seen it as a rallying cry for independence movements that freed non-Western regions from Western control, as in Vietnam and Algeria, both of which fought long wars to end French colonial rule. However, nationalism has also been used to assert that one nation is superior to all others, and this has stimulated social exclusion and war.

The Development of Marxism in the West

In the 19th century, German writer Karl Marx (1818–1883) and his collaborator Friedrich Engels (1820–1895) condemned nationalism for its power to distract people from the economic struggles within and across nations and from how some individuals economically exploit members of the same “nation.”

Marx predicted that a global revolution would upend the whole of modern society and eventually result in communism —a condition of peace, justice, freedom from repressive laws and political supervision, and equality of material resources in a society without economic classes. Inspired in part by Rousseau , Marx held that in such a society, the inherent human potential for living in peaceful solidarity with all and exercising creative freedom would be fully realized. When Marx sought to sketch the nature of communism, he emphasized this creative freedom:

“In communist society, where . . . each can become accomplished in any branch he wishes, society regulates the general production and thus makes it possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticise [poetry, art, music, etc.] after dinner, just as I have a mind, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, herdsman or critic.” 32

Unlike Locke , for whom the free market worked to ensure overall prosperity for all, for Marx and Engels, the internal operations of a free-market economy grounded on private property and the free exchange of goods and services made communism inevitable. According to this vision, in a free market society, most people must sell things to secure money to buy the necessities of life. This creates competition among producers, who eventually compete to offer the lowest prices. One way to do this is to invest in labor-saving machinery that lowers the cost per product by lowering the producer’s labor costs. This leads to growing unemployment, and those who retain their jobs are paid lower and lower wages, all to keep product costs low. This results in the general impoverishment of the mass of society.

According to Marx, in an industrialized society, most people become members of the proletariat , or those who sell their labor to a few large companies. A few are among the bourgeoisie , a group of middle-class merchants, accountants, lawyers, and other professionals who sell small consumer products or professional expertise, but their numbers will eventually shrink. Marxist theorists today see this process playing out as mechanized production and the vast use of information technology renders many once relatively high-paying jobs obsolete.

As the workers and those struggling to find steady work become increasingly numerous and increasingly miserable, they will inevitably bond over a recognition of their common economic condition—what Marx calls class consciousness —and will come together to demand change.

They will seize the privately held technologies and swiftly and violently act to capture government power. This represents what Marxists call the dictatorship of the proletariat , a temporary period when the workers would organize, take control of the state, and engage in the cleanup operations needed to usher in communism. During this period, the proletariat should control all political speech to prevent counterrevolution and work to upend the social relations of production —that is, social norms such as marriage that have been shaped by the capitalist economy.

Marx believed that the forces of capitalism were well advanced in Germany, and he anticipated that German workers would realize his vision for a workers’ revolution, which in turn would extend to neighboring countries. Yet this revolution failed to occur. Why?

Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937) argued that the owners of the means of production weaponize culture against the workers. They manufacture a set of cultural norms through their control of the media, churches, and schools, asserting what Gramsci called hegemony , or domination by means of the prevailing culture. Hegemonic cultural norms define it as unacceptable to be a revolutionary and acceptable for workers to be content with their lot in life, with their small holdings of private property and the freedoms they enjoy in their private lives, and with the conspicuous entertainments on offer (which are full of rags-to-riches stories that distract them from their oppression and encourage them to view the economic status quo as one of economic opportunity). The hegemonic culture also celebrates patriotism, which creates a false sense that owners and workers are on the same team. Perhaps most dangerously for Marxists, the prevailing culture manufactured by the wealthy elite reinforces religious beliefs and practices, which only divert attention from worker oppression and instill passivity in the system of private property by preaching such commandments as “thou shall not steal.” In his Prison Notebooks , Gramsci argues that communism as a political cause “will triumph by first capturing the culture via infiltration of schools, universities, churches and the media by transforming the consciousness of society.” 33 By capturing these culture-producing institutions, the wealthy elite can transform culture so that it celebrates ways of thinking and acting that undermine the norms that discourage a communist revolution.

The Russian Marxist Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) developed a somewhat different answer to the question of why a revolution had failed to occur in the industrialized nations of Europe. Lenin argued that the workers needed a vanguard, a small set of dedicated and merciless revolutionary activists working on their behalf to seize the state and take control of the economy. Without a vanguard, the capitalist forces that controlled the economy would always be able, as Lenin believed they did in Germany, to forestall the general impoverishment of the masses. A small group of dedicated activists, on the other hand, could seize power by the force of their revolutionary zeal and then act on the workers’ behalf to break the neck of the capitalist state. 34

Inside Gates of Soviet Russia (1914–1919)

This newsreel footage shows what life was like for peasants in Soviet Russia under Lenin.

Lenin advocated for this position in Russia, which was underdeveloped in terms of industrial machinery. Because the Leninists who seized power in Russia in November 1917 believed that highly productive machinery was necessary to provide such plenty that people would think it natural to share with one another, their key tasks were rapid industrialization, consciousness-raising among the workers, and the suppression of any forces resisting the move toward communism. Lenin still held an international vision and hoped to see parallel revolutions in the industrialized world.

After Lenin’s death in 1924, his successor, Joseph Stalin , and later rulers of the Soviet Union took these objectives to greater extremes, demanding rigid conformity with Marxist ideology and conducting a state-mobilized commitment to build Russian industry, no matter the cost in lives or to the natural environment. Stalin advanced the idea that while worker revolutions in states outside the Soviet Union may take a very long time to arise, in the meantime, a society based on shared wealth and collective prosperity could be built in Russia. The Soviet Union could defend itself from the foreign interventions that Lenin had argued would inevitably come from capitalist countries. 35 In pursuit of these objectives, the Soviet Union’s government under Stalin effectively became a form of totalitarianism , where the state sought to control the totality of its citizens’ lives as a means to achieve state objectives.

20th-Century Fascists

Soviet communism was not the only form of totalitarianism that marked the 20th century. In the early 1920s, fascism , an ideology that combines reverence for the state with nationalism, anti-communism, and skepticism of the parliamentary form of government, first emerged in Italy and Spain. Under a parliamentary form of government, parties are elected to a legislative chamber, and the chamber, by a majority vote, selects members of the executive branch. By the 1900s in Italy, Spain, and other European nations, an array of different parties had emerged and been elected to parliament, making it very hard to form parliamentary majorities and select an executive branch capable of achieving results that would satisfy large sections of the population. In part in response to the challenges of governing under such fragmented parliaments, fascism sought to inspire nationalist loyalty to a single leader who would forcefully get “positive” results. 36

The Nazism that governed Germany from 1934 to 1945 was a particularly vile expression of fascism. Inspired by the Italian Fascist Benito Mussolini , who ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943, Germany’s Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) developed a fascist ideology that sought to consolidate political power in the hands of one ruler. Nazism opposed much in modern life—especially the freedoms that Germans enjoyed under the Weimar Republic (1919–1933), which Hitler found decadent. But in other ways, Nazism was very modern. It embraced industrialization and rejected any lingering privileges of hereditary aristocracy in Germany. It sought to undermine culturally entrenched forms of religion in Germany, going so far as to advance its own modified form of the faith, led by the Nazi-controlled Reich bishop, which it called German Christianity. 37 A form of totalitarianism, Nazism sought the coordination of the whole of society around Nazi ideology.

To these views, Nazism added a horrific form of race-based hatred of Jews and other races, such as Slavs (the native population of eastern Europe). It justified this racism on the basis of what it saw as modern “science.” Nazi racism mitigated its commitment to nationalism and supplemented it with an appeal to all “Aryans,” seeking alliances beyond Germany with other “Aryan” nations. Fueled by extreme hatred, the Nazis carried out the Holocaust , the systematic and partially successful attempt to exterminate all Jews and others they deemed inferior, resulting in the murder of many millions of people in Europe. 38 To date, the Holocaust is the worst genocide in human history.

Mein Kampf : Hitler’s Nazi Philosophy

In his manifesto, Mein Kampf , Adolf Hitler articulated Nazi philosophy, which aimed, under the unquestioned authority of the führer, to exterminate those who did not belong to what Nazis considered to be the master race.

Mid-20th-Century Western Authoritarianism

Several European countries in the 20th century sought to avoid fascism and communism, yet resisted adopting the liberal tradition. During the 20th century, Portugal came to be governed by the principles of authoritarianism , an ideology that may allow freedoms in nonpolitical life but does not permit any political challenge to the ruler. From 1932 to 1968, the authoritarian prime minister of Portugal, António Salazar , attempted to create a state ruled exclusively by his own party that would permit a substantial (though incomplete) measure of economic and personal freedoms and respect for human rights. Portugal was considered a safe haven from Nazi oppression, and the government undertook efforts to grant false visas and asylum for Jews, especially those from eastern Europe. Portugal tolerated religious dissent, and it had a relatively free and open economy. 39 Defenders justified the principle of authoritarian rule on the basis that the democratic selection of rulers was just too dangerous. Would the people be consumed by the passions aroused by the Nazis as they sought to defeat communism and protect what they called the higher race? Or would they be captivated by the call for equality, spearheaded by the working class, and embrace Soviet-style communism? To avoid either, Portugal instituted an undemocratic authoritarian system governed by a leader who, it was hoped, would rule with moderation and sensitivity to basic rights.

Contemporary Authoritarianism: Egypt

In recent years, authoritarianism has expanded in parts of the world. In 2011 and 2012, the Arab Spring emerged in countries such as Egypt and Tunisia to remove authoritarian leaders and transform these states into representative democracies. In Egypt, uprisings led to the removal from office of longtime authoritarian ruler Hosni Mubarak in 2011. In the elections that followed, Mohamed Morsi , a member of an Islamic extremist organization, the Muslim Brotherhood , was elected president. Amid protests following his election, former military general Abdel Fattah el-Sisi seized power. Sisi has since consolidated his power to ensure his unopposed rule, having justified this assumption of unchecked power with the same argument advanced by the authoritarian ruler António Salazar: the people cannot be trusted to select appropriate leaders. This judgment is advanced as a serious ideological position in large parts of the world.

How the Arab Spring Started and How It Affected the World

The Arab Spring started with a single protest in Tunisia in 2011 and spread throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Contemporary Chinese Communism

Although the Soviet Union, which based its government on ideas inspired by Marx, collapsed in 1991, communism persists as a political ideology. In fact, the most populous country on Earth, the People’s Republic of China, is currently governed by a regime committed to a version of communist ideology. In China, no individual who is not a member of the Chinese Communist Party may hold political office.

Under the leadership of Mao Zedong , the Communist Party seized power in 1949. Mao, who served as the premier of China until his death in 1976, developed a distinctive form of Marxist-Leninist ideology that came to be known as Maoism. Maoism held that the Chinese peasantry, and not the industrial workers, could and should be the agents ushering in communism; all that they needed was to be led, shaped, and molded by a sufficiently powerful political party. The peasants, Mao argued, had many of the attributes that Marx believed would lead to a revolution and to the creation of the communist condition. Mao contended that the peasants’ poverty made them miserable, their ignorance made them malleable, and their supposed natural combativeness made them open to embracing change through revolutionary struggle. What the peasants lacked that Marx believed the urban industrial workers had was a team-spiritedness and a shared class consciousness. Hence, for Mao, what the masses needed to mold them into a revolutionary force was a strong revolutionary party (what Lenin called a vanguard) with exclusive political power.

Mao viewed urban, intellectual groups with special suspicion, and from 1966 to 1976, he made them targets for persecution in the Cultural Revolution , a movement led mostly by student-run battalions of militant activists known as Red Guards who worked to silence dissent. Because China during Mao’s reign had a population of over 800 million, Mao felt that these measures were the only way to achieve the goals of the Chinese Communist Party.

Before Mao died in 1976, he declared that China was in the “initial stage of socialism.” His successor, Deng Xiaoping, argued that although great work had been achieved under Mao, the goal of a classless society was still a ways off, and therefore, economic experimentation in alternative ways to achieve the communist goals was justifiable. 40

Instead of controlling every aspect of economic production, Deng instituted a policy, still ongoing in China today, that allows private property and free markets in a controlled manner. The policy primarily allows consumer items (always under the strict supervision of the Communist Party) as a way to achieve increased economic productivity. The Chinese government has also introduced limited religious freedoms to enhance individuals’ life satisfaction in order to increase their economic efficiency. After the productive forces of society become sufficient to meet everyone’s needs, Deng promised, communism would emerge.

As communism arose, Deng argued, China would shift away from a profit-based economy to one in which creating and distributing products people need, rather than profiteering, would drive economic output. According to Deng, at this final stage, religion would also disappear because the product-based economy would alleviate human misery, eliminating the need for the “opiate” of religion. Finally, the Communist Party’s firm control over the population would come to an end. This is similar to Rousseau ’s suggestion that when people become liberated from the drive for personal profit, they will be freed not only from economic and political repression but also from the way it warped their psychology. For communist states, at least in theory, the ultimate goal is liberation; repression is not an intrinsic value, only the necessary means to the desired end point of genuine human liberty.

When the current leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, assumed office in 2012, he reaffirmed China’s adherence to utilizing market freedoms to achieve the final goal of communism. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of maintaining strong party control. To this end, he has increased state regulation of religion, education, and the media. Most religions face increasing persecution under Xi , but because he sees the traditional Chinese belief system of Confucianism , which emphasizes social cooperation, order, and hierarchy, as a complement to Communist Party goals, he has tolerated its reemergence. Primarily, Xi has encouraged the Chinese populace to derive meaning and moral guidance from a firm attachment to Marxist ideals. To deepen support for the Communist Party, the regime has touted the dramatic reduction in poverty that has occurred in China over the last several decades. 41

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/1-introduction

• Authors: Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: Introduction to Political Science
• Publication date: May 18, 2022
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/3-4-nationalism-communism-fascism-and-authoritarianism

© Jan 3, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

Communism and Fascism: The Reason They Are So Similar

Communism and fascism—how did two opposite ideologies end up looking so similar? Vladimir Tismaneanu gives his answer in a new book.

J.P. O’Malley

Two 20th-century ideologies promised a utopian vision that would ensure infinite happiness. They both stemmed from a political, social, and cultural construct that erased traditional ideas regarding good and evil. Both believed in the destruction of the old world, to build a new international order; each deplored what they saw as the pathetic ennui of bourgeoisie existence; each ideology’s shared purpose was to recruit members of the new utopia.

Those ideologies happen to be communism and fascism, which together brought an orgy of violence, killed millions, and led humanity to its darkest hour, where the final destination was the deplorable Gulags and the gas chambers of Auschwitz.

Vladimir Tismaneanu, a professor of comparative politics at the University of Maryland, noticed how communism and fascism, despite coming from separate ends of the political spectrum—extreme left for the former and extreme right for the latter—surprisingly have much in common. To comprehend the barbarism that plagued the last century, Tismaneanu contends that we must fully come to grips with the thought process that inspired so much destruction. So he sets off to scrupulously examine the intellectual origins, crimes, and failures of these two radical movements in The Devil in History: Communism, Fascism and Some Lessons of the Twentieth Century .

Tismaneanu isn’t the first to explore this subject matter. In Fascism and Communism, historians Francois Furet and Ernst Nolte, one French and one German, debated the genealogy of the two movements. And in Fascism, Communism and the Consolidation of Democracy: A Comparison of European Dictatorships , Gerhard Besier edited a book of essays that explored the mutual influences both political movements clung to. While Tismaneanu’s effort shares certain similarities with both texts, his central argument focuses for the most part on ideology, and not specific historical events.

Tismaneanu’s book takes its title from the Polish philosopher Leszek Kolakowski’s observation that Bolshevism and fascism represent two incarnations of the disastrous presence of the devil in history. They were two sides of the same coin of totalitarianism—a political, social, and cultural construct that erased traditional ideas regarding good and evil. Tismaneanu’s lucid narrative walks us through an intellectual landscape that traces the trajectory of totalitarian thinking back to its origins.

This began in 1848, when Karl Marx, along with Fredrick Engels, wrote The Communist Manifesto , and ended, ostensibly, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Tismaneanu spends the majority of his time clearly defining Marxism, neglecting fascism a bit, but there is good reason why he would do this. Marxism as a political theory is over 160 years old. In that time it has gone through various phases, titles, and schisms, including critical, post, and anti-Marxism.

Marxism as a political idea was a failure from the beginning, Tismaneanu contends, because of “its lack of sensitivity to the psychological makeup of mankind,” and because it underestimated “the needs of many for deep spiritual or cultural sources of meaning, and thus the profound importance of the human right to privacy.” When Vladimir Lenin implemented Marx’s ideas into “a potent political weapon of ideological transformation of the world,” he put totalitarianism into action. Without Lenin’s dogmatic vision, which kickstarted the Russian Revolution in October 1917, there would be no totalitarianism, as we now know it. Thus the course of Western civilization, and indeed world history, would have been entirely different. The ideas that Lenin propagated—igniting the insurrection of the masses in politics, making the individual a mere particle in comparison to the absolute belief in the cause—paved the way for all forms of totalitarian thinking that shaped the 20th century.

In The Better Angels of Our Nature , the evolutionary psychologist and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker specifically equated communist ideology with violence and genocide. Yet he failed to account for how capitalist values also contributed to a significant amount of violence over the course of the 20th century. When I challenged him on this matter in an interview last year , Pinker responded by saying: “However much we might deplore the profit motive, or consumerist values, if everyone just wants iPods, we would probably be better off than if they wanted class revolution.” Tismaneanu, I believe, would agree.

Capitalism, despite being an imperfect system with many problems, understands what Marx failed to grasp: if you socialize the means of production, you undermine the incentives to work and produce poverty instead of wealth. Furthermore, anyone in the communist system unlucky enough to be born in the wrong class or ethnic group were branded enemies of the regime, becoming helpless victims in the mass killings that so often took place in the name of ideology.

As an ideology, Marxism is open to more interpretation than fascism, which arose in Italy in 1919, and died, as a dominant political movement in Europe, along with two of its most famous prophets: Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. It favors actions over intellectual reason, so it’s a harder concept for an academic to dissect with the same scrutiny as Marxism. The closest Tismaneanu reaches in defining fascism is to quote Mussolini, who wrote in 1932, in the Enciclopedia Italiana :

“Fascism is a religious conception in which man is seen in his immanent relationship with a superior law and with an objective Will [sic] that transcends the particular individual and raises him to a conscious membership in a spiritual society.”

For a more thorough definition, it might be better to turn to political scientist Robert Paxton:

“A form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation or victimhood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy and purity, in which a massed-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion.”

Tismaneau notes that all fascists shared a common bond in the idea of leadership, their abhorrence of liberalism, and a belief in ultranationalism. But he fails to note exactly what German and Italian fascism shared in common, or how different their worldviews actually were. For example, it’s worth mentioning that Mussolini had little interest in the racial theory that became central to the Nazis' distorted ideology. Neither was anti-Semitism as widespread in Italy as it was in Germany.

What Tismaneau is clear on is how Bolshevism and Nazism both desired a scapegoat to achieve their end goals. In communism this was defined by class, and in National Socialism by race. Each movement subsequently believed this would lead to a triumphant historical epoch: in Nazism, the vision was the thousand-year Reich, while in communism, history would disappear completely, and the proletariat would rule forever.

If communism and fascism merged into “a baroque synthesis,” as Tismaneanu puts it, there were, nevertheless, key distinctions between the two. While Bolshevism was a dictatorship of the proletariat, Nazism was a dictatorship with a voting consensus behind it. In communism, totalitarian thinking was completely enthralled to the party line, whereas in fascism, all ideas stemmed from the magnetic personality of the infallible leader.

The underlying problem with both political movements, however, was their absolute commitment to ideology, which the late Czech president and writer Václav Havel once described as offering “human beings the illusion of identity, of dignity, and of morality while making it easier for them to part with them.”

Tismaneanu’s book is a chilling analysis of a century in which mankind aimed to reach the promised land through the power of ideas. It shows that thinking of politics as a simple scientific formula that could be solved, once it was followed to its logical conclusion, seriously underestimates the complexities of the human condition. This was the greatest ideological mistake of the 20th century, paradoxically leading to a frenzy of genocide, thought control, and a complete annihilation of the concept of the individual.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast  here .

READ THIS LIST

Communism vs. Fascism: Which Ideology Will Prevail?

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: July 19, 2023

Sharing is caring!

Communism and fascism are two political ideologies that have played a significant role in shaping the modern world. Both ideologies emerged in Europe in the early to mid-20th century and have been the subject of much debate and controversy ever since. While communism advocates for a classless society and economic equality, fascism is a nationalistic and authoritarian system that emphasizes a strict hierarchy and the rule of an all-powerful dictator.

In this article, we will explore the key differences between communism and fascism, including their origins, ideologies, and impact on society. We will examine the similarities and differences between these two ideologies, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the fundamental differences between communism and fascism, and be able to form your own opinions on which ideology is better suited for society.

Communism vs. Fascism – Image

Origins and History: Communism vs. Fascism

Communism: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

Communism is a political and economic ideology that seeks to establish a classless society in which all property and resources are collectively owned and controlled. The origins of communism can be traced back to the mid-19th century, when Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published “The Communist Manifesto” in 1848.

Marx and Engels argued that capitalism was inherently exploitative and that the only way to achieve true equality and freedom was through a socialist revolution that would overthrow the ruling class and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat. They believed that this dictatorship would eventually wither away, leading to a classless society in which all individuals would have equal access to resources and opportunities.

The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917 was the first successful attempt to establish a communist state. However, the implementation of communism in the Soviet Union and other countries led to authoritarian regimes, human rights abuses, and economic inefficiencies.

Fascism: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler

Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes authoritarianism, nationalism, and the supremacy of the state. It emerged in the early 20th century in Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini and later spread to other countries, including Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.

Mussolini believed that Italy was in a state of crisis and needed a strong leader to restore order and national pride. He advocated for the use of violence and propaganda to suppress opposition and establish a one-party state. Hitler, who was influenced by Mussolini’s ideas, rose to power in Germany in 1933 and implemented similar policies, including the persecution of Jews and other minority groups.

Fascism reached its peak during World War II, when fascist regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan waged war against the Allied Powers. However, the defeat of these regimes and the atrocities committed during the war discredited fascism as a viable political ideology.

In conclusion, communism and fascism are two distinct political ideologies with different origins and histories. While communism seeks to establish a classless society through collective ownership and control, fascism emphasizes authoritarianism, nationalism, and the supremacy of the state. Both ideologies have had significant impacts on world history, including the Bolshevik Revolution, World War II, and the Cultural Revolution in China.

Key Principles and Beliefs

In this section, we will explore the key principles and beliefs of communism and fascism. While they may seem like polar opposites, both ideologies have shaped the course of history and continue to influence politics and societies around the world.

Communism: Equality and Common Ownership

Communism is a system that is based on the principles of economic equality and the abolition of private property. It advocates for a classless society where everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. The goal of communism is to create a utopian society where everyone is equal and there is no exploitation.

Under communism, all resources and means of production are owned collectively. This means that there is no private ownership of land, factories, or other assets. Instead, everything is owned by the community as a whole, and decisions about how to use these resources are made democratically.

Fascism: Nationalism and Strength

Fascism, on the other hand, is a nationalistic and authoritarian ideology that emphasizes the importance of strength, discipline, and unity. It is characterized by extreme militaristic nationalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy, and the rule of elites. Fascism seeks to create a Volksgemeinschaft, or a “people’s community,” where everyone is united by a shared sense of identity and purpose.

Under fascism, the state is seen as the embodiment of the nation and the ultimate authority. Individual rights and freedoms are subordinated to the needs of the state, and dissent is not tolerated. Fascist regimes often use violence and repression to maintain their power and suppress opposition.

In conclusion, communism and fascism represent two fundamentally different approaches to politics and society. While communism emphasizes equality and collective ownership, fascism emphasizes nationalism and strength. Both ideologies have had a significant impact on the course of history, and their legacies continue to shape the world today.

Political Structure and Government Control

The political structure and government control in communism and fascism are vastly different. In this section, we will explore the differences between the two systems by examining the government structures and the level of control exerted by the state.

Communist Government

Communism is a system of government that advocates for a classless society and the abolition of private property. In a communist government, the state controls all aspects of the economy, including the means of production. The government is run by a single party, usually the Communist Party, which holds a monopoly on political power.

The Communist Party is led by a General Secretary, who is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the party and the state. The party also has a Politburo, which is responsible for making policy decisions. The Politburo is made up of the most senior members of the Communist Party.

Under communism, the government exerts a high level of control over the lives of its citizens. The state controls the media, education, and all other aspects of society. Dissent is not tolerated, and political opposition is often met with harsh punishment.

Fascist Government

Fascism is a system of government that is characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of political opposition. In a fascist government, the state controls all aspects of society, including the economy, the media, and education.

The government is run by a dictator who holds absolute power. The dictator is often the leader of a single political party, such as the National Fascist Party in Italy. The dictator is supported by a group of loyal followers who help him maintain power.

Under fascism, the government exerts a high level of control over the lives of its citizens. The state uses propaganda and censorship to control the media and shape public opinion. Dissent is not tolerated, and political opposition is often met with violence.

In conclusion, the political structure and government control in communism and fascism are vastly different. While communism advocates for a classless society and the abolition of private property, fascism is characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of political opposition. Both systems exert a high level of control over the lives of their citizens, but the methods used to achieve this control are vastly different.

Economic Systems

In this section, we will explore the economic systems of communism and fascism. Both communism and fascism have different economic systems that are distinct from each other and from other ideologies.

Communist Economy

Communism is a system that advocates for a classless society and economic equality. In a communist economy, the government owns all the means of production and distribution of goods and services. Private property is abolished, and the state controls all resources. The goal of communism is to distribute wealth equally among all citizens.

In a communist economy, the government decides what goods and services are produced, how much is produced, and at what price. The government also determines the distribution of wealth, and everyone is paid according to their needs. The idea behind communism is that it creates a fair and just society where everyone has equal access to goods and services.

Fascist Economy

Fascism is a nationalistic, top-down system with rigid class roles that is ruled by an all-powerful dictator. In a fascist economy, the government controls all aspects of the economy, but private property is allowed. The government decides what goods and services are produced, and how much is produced, but private individuals are allowed to own and operate their businesses.

Fascism supports private production as long as it serves nationalistic purposes. The goal of fascism is to create a strong and powerful nation that is self-sufficient and can stand on its own. The distribution of wealth in a fascist economy is not equal, and the government provides benefits to those who are loyal to the state.

In conclusion, communism and fascism have different economic systems. In a communist economy, the government owns all the means of production and distribution of goods and services, while in a fascist economy, private property is allowed, but the government controls all aspects of the economy. Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is up to each society to decide which system works best for them.

Impact on Society

Communism and fascism are two ideologies that have had a significant impact on society. Both have their own unique views on how society should be structured and governed. In this section, we will explore the impact of these ideologies on various aspects of society.

Role of Women and Youth

In communism, women were seen as equal to men and were encouraged to work outside the home. The goal was to create an egalitarian society where everyone had equal opportunities regardless of their gender. Youth were also given a prominent role in society and were encouraged to participate in political activities.

In contrast, fascism had a more traditional view of gender roles. Women were expected to stay at home and take care of the family, while men were seen as the breadwinners. Youth were also expected to be obedient to authority and were often used as a tool for propaganda.

Media and Propaganda

Both communism and fascism recognized the importance of media and propaganda in shaping public opinion. In communism, the media was used as a tool to educate the masses about the benefits of socialism and to promote the party’s agenda. Propaganda was also used to encourage people to participate in political activities and to support the party.

In fascism, the media was controlled by the state and used to promote the party’s ideology. Propaganda was often used to create a cult of personality around the leader and to demonize political opponents.

Overall, communism and fascism had a significant impact on society. While communism aimed to create a classless, egalitarian society, fascism promoted a social hierarchy and the rule of elites. The role of women and youth, as well as the use of media and propaganda, were also impacted by these ideologies.

Communism vs. Fascism: A Comparative Analysis

Communism and fascism are two of the most significant political ideologies that emerged in the 20th century. While communism advocates for a classless society and economic equality, fascism is a top-down, nationalistic system with rigid class roles that is ruled by an all-powerful dictator.

Both communism and fascism originated in Europe and gained popularity in the early to mid 20th century. The ideologies have some similarities, but they differ in many ways.

One of the key differences between communism and fascism is their approach to leadership. In communism, leadership is collective and democratic, with decisions being made by a committee or council. In contrast, fascism is characterized by a single leader who has absolute power and control over the government and society.

Another significant difference between communism and fascism is their approach to political parties. In communism, political parties are not allowed, and the government controls all aspects of society. In contrast, fascism allows political parties, but they are subservient to the state and must support the ruling party’s ideology.

Communism and fascism also differ in their approach to revolution. Communism advocates for a proletarian revolution, where the working class overthrows the ruling class and establishes a socialist society. Fascism, on the other hand, does not advocate for revolution but instead emphasizes the importance of maintaining the status quo and preserving traditional values and culture.

Finally, communism and fascism differ in their approach to industry. In communism, all industries are owned and controlled by the state, while in fascism, industry is privately owned but tightly controlled by the government.

In conclusion, communism and fascism are two vastly different ideologies with different approaches to leadership, political parties, revolution, and industry. While communism emphasizes economic equality and a classless society, fascism emphasizes nationalism and traditional values.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between fascism and communism?

Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes the importance of a strong government led by a single dictator. It promotes nationalism, militarism, and the suppression of individual rights. On the other hand, communism is a system that advocates for economic equality and a classless society. It emphasizes the importance of collective ownership of property and resources. The main difference between fascism and communism is that fascism is a top-down system with rigid class roles, while communism is a bottom-up system that seeks to eliminate class distinctions.

How do communism and fascism differ in their economic systems?

Communism advocates for collective ownership of property and resources, while fascism supports private ownership as long as it serves nationalistic purposes. In a communist system, the government controls the means of production and distribution of goods and services. In contrast, fascism allows for private enterprise, but the government heavily regulates and controls it to serve the needs of the nation.

What are the similarities and differences between fascism and socialism?

Fascism and socialism are similar in that they both promote collective action and the importance of the community over the individual. However, socialism seeks to achieve economic equality through the redistribution of wealth, while fascism emphasizes the importance of a strong government and the suppression of individual rights. In a socialist system, the government controls the means of production and distribution of goods and services, while in fascism, private enterprise is allowed but heavily regulated.

What is the main difference between fascism and Marxism?

The main difference between fascism and Marxism is that fascism emphasizes the importance of a strong government and nationalism, while Marxism seeks to eliminate class distinctions and promote economic equality. Marxism advocates for the overthrow of the capitalist system and the establishment of a socialist society, while fascism seeks to preserve the existing social order through the use of force and suppression of dissent.

How does fascism compare to capitalism and socialism?

Fascism differs from capitalism in that it emphasizes the importance of a strong government and national unity over individual rights and freedoms. In a capitalist system, the government plays a minimal role in the economy, while in fascism, the government heavily regulates and controls the economy. Fascism also differs from socialism in that it allows for private enterprise, while socialism advocates for collective ownership of property and resources.

What are the similarities and differences between communism and totalitarianism?

Totalitarianism is a system of government in which the state has complete control over all aspects of society, including the economy, media, and individual rights. Communism is a form of totalitarianism that seeks to achieve economic equality and a classless society. The main difference between communism and other forms of totalitarianism is that communism emphasizes the importance of collective ownership of property and resources, while other forms of totalitarianism may allow for private enterprise.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do communism and fascism differ in their economic systems?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the similarities and differences between fascism and socialism?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the main difference between fascism and Marxism?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does fascism compare to capitalism and socialism?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the similarities and differences between communism and totalitarianism?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

• Recent Posts

• Ed Words: Expand Your Vocabulary and Improve Your Writing! - April 15, 2024
• List of Ethnicities and Their Cultures from Around the World - April 2, 2024
• Mastering English Writing: Essential Transitional Words for Body Paragraphs - March 25, 2024

Related posts:

• Everyday vs Every Day: When to Use Everyday or Every Day (with Useful Examples)
• MISS vs. LOSE: How to Use Miss and Lose in Sentences
• WHO vs. WHOM vs. WHOSE: How to Use them Correctly
• Nature’s Tiny Warriors: Bee vs. Wasp – A Guide to Identification and Behavior

Communism vs. Fascism

Enter the password to open this PDF file:

• History Classics
• Your Profile
• Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window)
• This Day In History
• History Podcasts
• History Vault

How Are Socialism and Communism Different?

By: Sarah Pruitt

Updated: November 4, 2020 | Original: October 22, 2019

Both socialism and communism are essentially economic philosophies advocating public rather than private ownership, especially of the means of production, distribution and exchange of goods (i.e., making money) in a society. Both aim to fix the problems they see as created by a free-market capitalist system, including the exploitation of workers and a widening gulf between rich and poor.

But while socialism and communism share some basic similarities, there are also important differences between them.

Karl Marx and the Origins of Communism

Socialism emerged in response to the extreme economic and social changes caused by the Industrial Revolution , and particularly the struggles of workers. Many workers grew increasingly poor even as factory owners and other industrialists accrued massive wealth.

In the first half of the 19th century, early socialist thinkers like Henri de Saint-Simon, Robert Owen and Charles Fourier presented their own models for reorganizing society along the lines of cooperation and community, rather than the competition inherent in capitalism, where the free market controlled the supply and demand of goods.

Then came Karl Marx , the German political philosopher and economist who would become one of the most influential socialist thinkers in history. With his collaborator Friedrich Engels, Marx published The Communist Manifesto in 1848, which included a chapter criticizing those earlier socialist models as utterly unrealistic “utopian” dreams.

Marx argued that all history was a history of class struggles, and that the working class (or proletariat) would inevitably triumph over the capital class (bourgeoisie) and win control over the means of production, forever erasing all classes.

Communism , sometimes referred to as revolutionary socialism, also originated as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, and came to be defined by Marx’s theories—taken to their extreme end. In fact, Marxists often refer to socialism as the first, necessary phase on the way from capitalism to communism. Marx and Engels themselves didn’t consistently or clearly differentiate communism from socialism, which helped ensure lasting confusion between the two terms.

Key Differences Between Communism and Socialism

Under communism, there is no such thing as private property. All property is communally owned, and each person receives a portion based on what they need. A strong central government—the state—controls all aspects of economic production, and provides citizens with their basic necessities, including food, housing, medical care and education.

By contrast, under socialism, individuals can still own property. But industrial production, or the chief means of generating wealth, is communally owned and managed by a democratically elected government.

Another key difference in socialism versus communism is the means of achieving them. In communism, a violent revolution in which the workers rise up against the middle and upper classes is seen as an inevitable part of achieving a pure communist state. Socialism is a less rigid, more flexible ideology. Its adherents seek change and reform, but often insist on making these changes through democratic processes within the existing social and political structure, not overthrowing that structure.

In his 1875 writing, Critique of the Gotha Program , Marx summarized the communist philosophy in this way: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” By contrast, socialism is based on the idea that people will be compensated based on their level of individual contribution to the economy.

Unlike in communism, a socialist economic system rewards individual effort and innovation. Social democracy, the most common form of modern socialism, focuses on achieving social reforms and redistribution of wealth through democratic processes, and can co-exist alongside a free-market capitalist economy.

Socialism and Communism in Practice

Led by Vladimir Lenin , the Bolsheviks put Marxist theory into practice with the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the creation of the world’s first communist government. Communism existed in the Soviet Union until its fall in 1991. 

Today, communism and socialism exist in China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos and Vietnam—although in reality, a purely communist state has never existed. Such countries can be classified as communist because in all of them, the central government controls all aspects of the economic and political system. But none of them have achieved the elimination of personal property, money or class systems that the communist ideology requires.

Likewise, no country in history has achieved a state of pure socialism. Even countries that are considered by some people to be socialist states, like Norway, Sweden and Denmark, have successful capitalist sectors and follow policies that are largely aligned with social democracy. Many European and Latin American countries have adopted socialist programs (such as free college tuition, universal health care and subsidized child care) and even elected socialist leaders, with varying levels of success.

In the United States, socialism has not historically enjoyed as much success as a political movement. Its peak came in 1912, when Socialist Party presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs won 6 percent of the vote. But at the same time, U.S. programs once considered socialist, such as Medicare and Social Security , have been integrated into American life.

What Is Democratic Socialism? 

Democratic socialism, a growing U.S. political movement in recent years, lands somewhere in between social democracy and communism. Like communists, democratic socialists believe workers should control the bulk of the means of production, and not be subjected to the will of the free market and the capitalist classes. But they believe their vision of socialism must be achieved through democratic processes, rather than revolution. 

Sign up for Inside History

Get HISTORY’s most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details : Privacy Notice | Terms of Use | Contact Us