Abstract:
Communism has been a sworn enemy to many fascist regimes, especially Hitler's, Mussolini's and Franco's despite many arguing that they are somewhat related to each other. From the word "communisme", communism advocates for equal class structure and control over the problem of poverty. Meanwhile, fascism came from the word "fascio" and advocates the creation of a nation that runs similar to a corporate setup. However, their belief regarding the state eliminates all form of similarity: communism denies the state while fascism bows to the state as its supreme entity. There is also the case of their political spectrum as fascism incorporates both left and right ideologies while communism leans to the left end of the sphere. Nevertheless, their inclination still leads them to the fact that both ideologies have an ideal scenario as to how their nation should look like as seen in Hitler's Europe and the Communist Russia. This paper will discuss the ideologies of both fascism and communism, from its pros and cons to the reasons as to why these ideologies do relate to one another despite their political inclination and outlook of the state.
Communism and Fascism
In the early 19th century, political ideologies have dominated the change in regimes in several nations in Europe. While others argued and supported conflicting ideologies, it was unable to compete against ideologies such as communism and fascism. However, communism and fascism had caused a significant stir as both ideologies became considered the rival of the other. Fascism’s Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Franciso Franco considered communism as their sworn enemy, while communism saw Fascism as an anti-Marxism ideology. It has been argued by various experts that both ideologies are different with one another considering they contradict in their notions of the state, social class, and political affiliations. However, both ideologies have a single inclination that leads them to having an ideal nation concept that is uniquely influenced by socialism.
In comparison with communism, fascism developed without much emphasis on the theory and supplementary literature that would explain the ideology. It only developed due to the political climate, mostly inspired from Mussolini’s socialist and nationalist pragmatism. Mussolini even noted that Fascism is an opportunity rather than a dogma. The ideology eventually got its opportunity to be known as Italy slowly succumbed to economic and social disorder. Eventually, the same situation happened in Germany as democracy failed to stabilize the ongoing violence. Fascism came from the root word ‘fascii’ or ‘fascio’, which means ‘bundles’ of violent men who roam the country to fight against those who oppose them. Fascists declare that their actions are justified considering that they wish to build Italy in the image noted by their ancestors. Fascists also promise an Italy which would unite all classes and establish a greater future . Other Fascist experts would also define fascism differently, depending on their affiliation. For left-wing interpretations, fascism is a right-wing movement that implements a pre-emptive action against any form of revolution that will save capitalism from socialism. Some even give much importance in fascism’s anticapitalist goals like listed in Sternhell, Orwell and Lipset’s works .
In Spain, Fascism became prominent in 1936 when General Franciso Franco raised the revolt against the government. He and his allies attacked the Republican government in Morocco to overthrow and lead them. The Spanish army supported Franco, alongside the Spanish rightist parties. Eventually a civil war broke out between Fascism and the socialist-communist government in Spain, adding to the tensions between the Fascists and Communist outside the country. Franco was supported by Italy and Germany through the form of military aid since Franco already adapted several fascism policies in his regime. Russia, on the other hand, supported the socialist and communist government with the same military support. Russia also wanted to influence the European balance of power as there is a possibility that Franco would become a third Fascist dictator that would threaten the European region
The views of communism to fascism were negative as communism saw fascism as a “violent anti-Marxist movement” which was more formidable due to the communism weaponry it has adopted. Some experts such as Hungarian Communist Giulio Aquila and German Sandomirsky noted that Fascism was a weapon for the bourgeoisie to destroy the working classes. Aquila’s Der Fachimus in Italien (1923) expounded on fascism’s “agent” role to destroy the working class and added that Fascist leaders believe in cross-class nationalistic ideologies. On the Soviet Front, Sandomirsky’s Fashizm (1923) provided his own interpretation of the “Agent” theory from Aquila and emphasized that Fascism evolved from aggressive extremist nationalism sentiment that came from the war. Sandomirsky even added that Fascism was a means for the bourgeoisie to engage the working class directly. For Hungarian Communist Matyas Rakosi, he noted that Fascists were bourgeois nationalists who helped the bourgeoisie classes organize the Italian conflict and defeat the working class. Rakosi noted that Fascism is slowly weakening. Soon after, other communist and non-Communist writers would generalize Fascism to be an “irrational” movement of capitalists. These writers, namely the liberals and moderate left, noted that Fascism represents Italian disorder and became the result of “bourgeois” democracy. Eventually, the Communists shortened this belief and stated “Democracy equals Fascism” . Communists and non-Communists also took steps when they saw that Fascism is slowly gaining momentum and becoming a counter-revolutionary force that cannot falter. An anti-Fascist manifesto was first published to combat against Fascism, followed by the International Committee for Action against the War Danger and Fascism. The organization was first of its kind and was led by Henri Barbusse and Clara Zetkin. However, these organizations like many of its predecessors were not that active and due to its anti-Fascist campaign, it could have destroyed the traditional Russian and Italian relations. Although Fascism was considered an enemy, it was not considered as a dangerous enemy .
Many experts and authors have argued as to how Fascism and Communism certainly differ or share the same ideologies. For some writers, both ideologies are antagonistic as they have certain ideologies that contradict each other especially as to how they see the working classes, the nation-state, and how to achieve the “dream” nation envisioned by the founders of their respective ideologies. Nevertheless, some writers point out that the ideologies are brothers in their idealism. While it is impossible to give out a distinct point that would differentiate or compare both ideologies, both ideologies are related. Both communism and fascism reject individualism and parliamentary democracy as they are based on political rights that emphasizes collectivism. Both of them stress that parliamentary democracy is not the true form of democracy. Instead, it is how the bourgeoisie exploit society directly. The society is always given emphasis than the individual, stating that both ideologies reject liberalism.
There is also their similarity in denying universality or morality as both believe that history presents different reactions given the situation and given the classes present in society. For Communism, they believe that knowledge is gained through history and is dependent in the interest of the social class; while Fascism believes that each race or country has their own special set of geniuses and sciences that makes it unique. Both ideologies also agree that any knowledge that is deemed universal for any class, race or nation must be a fraud. With regards with morality, both fascism and communism reject its conception. Communism believes that each period of history had developed their own morals and their own ethical beliefs. Fascism, on the other hand, believes that whatever gives the strength to the nations is good, whatever attempts to weaken it is evil. Both fascism and communism also disregards respect for the family and old age. They believe that religion is the drug of the people and they must follow the will of the nation. Finally, both communism and fascism are forms of socialism despite their contradicting political ideologies. Communism pushes for a government that controls production and controlled by the working class. Fascism also seeks out the establishment of an absolute government that wishes to control production, however, private property institution
Communism and Fascism may have indeed met their decline in the end of the Second World War, however, the arguments still remains as to their relationship with one another. On the one hand, it is true that they contradict in their idea regarding the social classes and what the nation should become. There is also the idea of each ideology that the other represent an extremist stance that could threaten the region, like how communism sees fascism. However, on the other hand, it is undeniable that both ideologies adopt socialism in founding their ideal nation-state. Communism gives emphasis that the working class would be sustain their ideal nation-state, while Fascism gives emphasis to private institutions that would control the nation-state. This particular similarity, alongside many others, supports each other and their goals all lead to a nation-state that they believe would give success to the nation supporting the ideology.
Annotated Bibliography: Communism and Fascism
Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam. History of Europe. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers, 2002. Print.
Chaurasia begins in discussing 1936 Spain as General Franciso Franco began a revolt against the republican government. The author explains how Italy and Germany supported Franco and how Russia helped the socialist and communists. A discussion as to how Russia supported the Popular Front government is listed by the author and stated that Germany and Italy were influencing Franco to continue on with Fascism.
Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam. History of Political Thought. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers, 2003.
Print. - The author notes that it is difficult to identify accurately as to how communism and Fascism differ or become similar. Many scholars and experts constantly argued as some believed that both ideologies are closely related while others say they are antagonistic. The author listed down several similarities such as the ideologies’ rejection in individualism and democracy and the conception of universal morality. At the same time, the author also listed down differences such as their belief in state, importance of classes and intellect.
Holmes, Leslie. Communism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Print. - The author gives out a concise introduction regarding the theory behind communism which began in the 17th century from Henri de Saint-Simon and Charles Fourier and became developed by the time of Karl Marx in the beginning of the 18th century. The author also cited several key events that enabled Communism to be practiced in the 18th-19th century. There is also a section in the book which discusses Communism throughout the 19th century and how it has combatted against Fascism.
Laqueur, Walter. Russia and Germany: A Century of Conflict. New Brunswick: Transaction
Publishers, 1965. Print. - Laqueur discusses how Russia combatted against Fascism and how the country treated Fascism in general. However, the author notes that Russia sees Fascism as an enemy but not a dangerous enemy and also noted that Communists were very uncanny in taking wrong positions. The author also noted that Communism pushed against social democracy as it is a process to become a Fascist Party. He even cited how German Communists tried to combat Fascism in the threat of the Nazi.
Mosley, Ivo. Democracy, Fascism and the New World Order. Exeter: Imprint Academic, 2003.
Print. - Mosley allots a chapter in his discussion of Communism and Fascism. He first discussed how industrialization became the start of capitalist reign and how the working class strived to improve their life. A discussion as to how fascism developed followed and noted that fascism came to be as an opportunity rather than as a formal theory. The author also wrote about the difference between communism and fascism, noting that both ideologies have varying rally cries.
Murphy, Robert. Lessons for the Young Economist. Auburn : Ludwig von Mises Institute, 2010.
Print. - In the beginning of his allotted chapter for Communism and Fascism, Murphy first discussed the difference between the two ideologies and note that both are forms of socialism. For communism, it desires to establish a government that is driven by the working class. Fascism, on the other hand, desires to establish an absolute government over the means of production. The author also cites as to how the ideologies caused deaths in their specific territories: Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia.
Payne, Stanley. A History of Fascism, 1914-1945. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press,
1996. Print. - Payne noted in his book as to how Communism sees Fascism by the time the ideology hit mainstream in the early 19th century. Communism saw Fascism as a violent anti-Marxism movement to destroy the working class. He listed down several authors such as Guilio Aquila and German Sandomirsky and how they noted that Fascism was a product of an aggressive surge of nationalism.
Shenfield, Stephen. Russian Fascism: Traditions, Tendencies, Movements. New York: M.E
Sharpe, 2001. Print.
Shenfield discusses the nature of fascism from its premodern orientation and why it is slowly becoming a paradox of modernism. The author notes that fascism represents combines modernity and premodern facts. He also cited several clarifications such as the boundaries of modernization and premodern values and how modernity should be defined through fascism. The author also discusses the philosophy of fascism and how it applies to life.
Works Cited
Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam. History of Europe. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers, 2002. Print.
—. History of Political Thought. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers, 2003. Print.
Holmes, Leslie. Communism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print.
Laqueur, Walter. Russia and Germany: A Century of Conflict. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1990. Print.
Mosley, Ivo. Democracy, Fascism and the New World Order. Exeter: Imprint Academic, 2003. Print.
Murphy, Robert. Lessons for the Young Economist. Auburn: Ludwig von Mises Institute, 2010. Print.
Payne, Stanley. A History of Fascism, 1914-1945. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1996. Print.
Shenfield, Stephen. Russian Fascism: Traditions, Tendencies, Movements. New York: M.E. Sharpe, 2001. Print.
