What are the difference between Communism vs Fascism?

Communism and fascism are both ideologies that have historically influenced many political movements and governments. While both systems have often been seen as authoritarian, they are rooted in fundamentally different philosophies and principles. Below is a detailed comparison between the two:

1. Ideological Foundations

• Communism:
  • Communism is a left-wing, anti-capitalist ideology that seeks to abolish private property, class divisions, and capitalism in favor of a classless society where the means of production (factories, land, etc.) are owned collectively by the people.
  • Its roots are based on the Marxist-Leninist theory, which argues that the working class (proletariat) should overthrow the capitalist class (bourgeoisie) in a revolution and establish a stateless, classless society.
  • In the ideal communist system, there is no private property, and wealth and resources are distributed based on need rather than individual ownership or profit.
• Fascism:
  • Fascism is a right-wing, authoritarian ideology that emphasizes strong centralized power, nationalism, and often, militarism. It supports the idea of a hierarchical society with clear distinctions between different social groups, including races, ethnicities, and national identities.
  • Fascism tends to glorify the nation-state, often with a dictatorial leader at the top, and prioritizes loyalty, order, and obedience to the state.
  • Unlike communism, fascism does not advocate for the abolition of private property or class distinctions. Instead, fascist regimes typically allow private property and private ownership, but under strict state control and within the framework of the nationalist goals of the regime.

2. Economic System

• Communism:
  • The economic system in a communist society is one of state or collective ownership. The means of production (factories, farms, etc.) are either directly owned by the state or by the people collectively.
  • The goal is to eliminate class distinctions, so wealth is distributed according to need. In practice, this means that individual ownership of property, wealth, and resources is eliminated.
  • There is no profit motive in communism. Instead, the focus is on the equitable distribution of resources and the elimination of social classes.
• Fascism:
  • Fascism, in contrast, supports a mixed economy where private ownership of property and businesses is maintained, but is heavily regulated and controlled by the state.
  • Under fascism, businesses, especially large industries, are often required to work in close partnership with the state, supporting national interests and goals. The state may intervene to ensure that businesses align with the interests of the nation, but private property and wealth generally remain intact.
  • The economic system is designed to serve the interests of the state and the nation, often with an emphasis on militarization, heavy industry, and infrastructure development.

3. Role of the State

• Communism:
  • In theory, communism seeks to establish a stateless society where the state no longer exists after the establishment of socialism and the abolition of class divisions. Initially, however, a dictatorship of the proletariat is proposed, which involves a strong, centralized state to oversee the transition to communism.
  • The ultimate goal is a society where resources are distributed based on need, without the need for government structures. However, in practice, many communist states have maintained strong, centralized governments, sometimes transitioning into authoritarian regimes.
• Fascism:
  • Fascism, on the other hand, is inherently statist, meaning that it places supreme importance on a centralized, powerful state. Under fascism, the state controls all aspects of life, from economics to culture, and individual freedoms are subordinated to the needs of the nation.
  • The state is seen as the ultimate authority, and often, the leader (or dictator) embodies the power of the state. Fascist regimes typically involve intense cult of personality, where the leader is revered as a figure of national strength and unity.

4. Political Structure and Leadership

• Communism:
  • Communism, especially in its Marxist-Leninist interpretation, proposes the establishment of a vanguard party to lead the revolution and manage the state during the transition to socialism. The party is supposed to represent the working class.
  • In theory, after the revolution, power would be held by the workers themselves, and the need for a centralized government would eventually fade away. However, in practice, communist regimes have often been dominated by authoritarian parties (like the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) with centralized control.
  • One-party rule is common in communist states, where all political opposition is suppressed.
• Fascism:
  • Fascism is autocratic and typically led by a dictator who holds absolute power. The fascist leader is often considered the embodiment of the nation, and the state is often personified through their authority.
  • Political opposition is not tolerated, and fascism typically leads to one-party rule, with all political and social movements subordinated to the needs and directives of the fascist state.
  • The fascist leader often uses propaganda, militarization, and cult of personality to maintain control.

5. Social and Cultural Policies

• Communism:
  • Communism seeks to eliminate social classes and promote equality among all people, irrespective of race, gender, or background. It focuses on creating a society where people are treated equally, and social disparities are minimized.
  • In practice, communist regimes have often pursued policies that enforce strict equality but have been accused of suppressing individual freedoms and curbing expression. Many communist regimes also prioritized state control over religion and culture, seeing them as tools of class oppression.
• Fascism:
  • Fascism is nationalist and often has elements of racial superiority or ethnic purity. Fascist regimes typically promote the idea of a dominant national identity, often based on race, ethnicity, or culture, and may exclude or persecute minority groups.
  • Fascism generally promotes a hierarchical society, where some groups (e.g., the dominant race or nationality) are viewed as superior to others. In many fascist regimes, there is a strong focus on traditional values, national pride, and militarization, and these values are often enforced through propaganda, education, and cultural policies.
  • Fascism can be highly repressive, often leading to violent persecution of political opponents, minorities, and those who are seen as threats to national unity.

6. Attitude Toward Individual Rights and Freedoms

• Communism:
  • While communism theoretically emphasizes equality, it often involves restrictions on personal freedoms in practice. For instance, in many communist states, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press are often limited or suppressed to maintain control by the ruling party.
  • The need for strong centralized control in the transition to socialism has sometimes led to authoritarian practices, despite the ideal of a classless and stateless society.
• Fascism:
  • Fascism is inherently anti-democratic and anti-liberal, placing little value on individual rights or freedoms. Fascist regimes actively suppress dissent, limit free speech, and engage in widespread political repression.
  • Fascism demands total loyalty and obedience to the state, with dissenters often subjected to imprisonment, violence, or even execution.

7. Examples of Communist and Fascist Regimes

• Communist Regimes:
  • The Soviet Union (under Lenin and Stalin), China (under Mao Zedong), Cuba (under Fidel Castro), and North Korea (under Kim Il-sung and his descendants) are all examples of communist states, where the ruling party maintained strict control over the economy, political systems, and personal freedoms.
• Fascist Regimes:
  • The most prominent examples of fascist regimes include Nazi Germany (under Adolf Hitler), Fascist Italy (under Benito Mussolini), and Francoist Spain (under Francisco Franco). These regimes were marked by extreme nationalism, militarism, authoritarian leadership, and the suppression of opposition.

8. Summary Comparison Table

Conclusion

Although both communism and fascism are authoritarian in practice, they differ significantly in their ideological underpinnings, views on the role of the state, and attitudes toward social structure and economic systems. Communism seeks to create a classless, stateless society by abolishing capitalism and private ownership, while fascism emphasizes national unity, hierarchy, and state control, with a focus on maintaining traditional social structures.