In modern political discourse, fascism and communism are often presented as ideological opposites. Fascism is typically associated with ultranationalism, hierarchical social structures, and the centralization of power, while communism is seen as an ideology based on class struggle, egalitarianism, and the eventual abolition of private property. However, while they may differ in their theoretical goals, these ideologies share fundamental similarities in practice. Both systems require the centralization of power, the repression of dissent, and the implementation of coercion to achieve their goals. Their histories are marked by significant human rights abuses, mass repression, and totalitarian control. This essay argues that communism and fascism are not inherently distinct in their danger to individual liberty and human dignity, as both ideologies lead to authoritarian rule and systemic violence in the pursuit of their respective visions.

At their core, both fascism and communism involve the subjugation of the individual to the collective good. In fascism, the state is elevated as the embodiment of national unity, and the individual must subordinate themselves to this national ideal. Fascism is inherently collectivist, but its collectivism is deeply nationalistic and exclusionary. In a fascist society, the individual must be integrated into the national collective, often to the point where their personal freedoms are severely restricted for the supposed benefit of the nation. Fascism thrives on the glorification of the state and the leader, and any form of dissent is viewed as a threat to national unity. The suppression of such dissent is not only accepted but often celebrated in fascist regimes, where state violence is justified as a means of preserving national purity and strength. Communism, rooted in Marxist theory, also calls for the subjugation of the individual to the collective. Marx and Engels posited that in a capitalist society, the individual’s labor is exploited by the ruling capitalist class. Therefore, the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless, stateless society would lead to the liberation of the individual from the constraints imposed by capitalism. However, in practice, communism requires a transitional phase, a dictatorship of the proletariat that centralizes power in the hands of the state or the ruling party. This phase often leads to the suppression of individual freedoms, the concentration of power, and the coercive enforcement of ideological conformity. While the communist goal is ostensibly the establishment of a classless society, the transitional period often results in a system of control and repression that mirrors the authoritarianism seen in fascist regimes. Despite the differences in their theoretical justifications, both fascism and communism exhibit a similar disregard for individual liberty.

The methods employed by both systems to achieve their goals involve centralization of power, coercion, and violence. In fascism, this violence is often directed outward, toward external enemies or groups deemed undesirable, such as racial minorities, political dissidents, or perceived traitors. In communist regimes, violence is often directed inward, against perceived class enemies or individuals who are seen as a threat to the ideological purity of the revolution. In both cases, violence becomes a tool of state policy, used to eliminate opposition and maintain control. Fascism, as exemplified by Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, is inherently violent in its methods of governance. The Nazi regime, under Adolf Hitler, engaged in widespread genocide, most notably the systematic extermination of six million Jews in the Holocaust. This violence was not only a product of Nazi ideology but was also central to the regime’s efforts to purify the German nation. The Holocaust was carried out under the belief that certain races and ethnic groups were inherently inferior and that their elimination would strengthen the nation. Similarly, Mussolini’s Italy engaged in imperialist expansion and the suppression of political opposition to maintain control and promote national unity. While Mussolini’s regime did not engage in mass genocide to the extent that the Nazis did, it still employed violent methods of repression, such as the use of secret police, imprisonment of political dissidents, and the suppression of labor movements. Communism, in its practical application, has also resulted in violence and repression. Under Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union became a model of totalitarian control. Stalin’s reign was marked by purges, forced collectivization, and the suppression of any opposition to the state. Millions of people died as a result of Stalin’s policies, including those who were executed during the Great Purge, those who starved during the man-made famines caused by collectivization, and those who were sent to the gulags. Stalin’s regime was characterized by extreme centralization of power and an absolute intolerance for any form of dissent. Similarly, under Mao Zedong’s rule in China, the Great Leap Forward resulted in one of the deadliest famines in history, killing an estimated 45 million people. Mao’s government also engaged in violent purges, such as the Cultural Revolution, in which millions were persecuted for alleged ideological impurity.

The comparison between fascism and communism is often complicated by the tendency of some to separate theory from practice. Defenders of communism, for instance, frequently argue that the atrocities committed by communist regimes are not reflective of "true communism." They claim that communism’s theoretical goals of equality and justice were distorted by flawed leaders, and that the failures of communist regimes should not be held against the ideology itself. However, this defense is rarely afforded to fascism. No one argues that the atrocities committed by the Nazis were not "real fascism." This discrepancy in how we judge fascism and communism highlights a selective application of historical memory. It is easy to criticize the practical outcomes of fascism because it is associated with extreme violence and aggression. However, communism’s historical failures, marked by mass death, repression, and economic collapse, are often excused or dismissed by those who claim that these outcomes do not reflect the true nature of the ideology. The idea of separating theory from practice in communism is problematic because it overlooks the inherent contradictions within the ideology itself. Marx’s vision of a stateless, classless society is fundamentally incompatible with the necessity of a transitional period dominated by state control. The "dictatorship of the proletariat" envisioned by Marx and Engels is not a peaceful, democratic process, but rather a phase of violent upheaval in which power is consolidated in the hands of the revolutionary state. In practice, this often leads to the establishment of a totalitarian regime that is no more tolerant of dissent than fascism.

One of the most striking similarities between fascism and communism is their shared focus on ideological purity. In both systems, dissent is seen as a threat to the state, and those who deviate from the official ideology are often persecuted. This creates an environment where conformity is enforced through fear and repression. In fascist regimes, conformity is enforced through the glorification of the state and the leader, and those who do not adhere to the state’s vision of national identity are considered enemies of the nation. In communist regimes, conformity is enforced through the ideological purity of the revolution, and those who are deemed class enemies or politically impure are often executed or imprisoned. The danger of both fascism and communism lies in their willingness to sacrifice individual rights and freedoms in the name of a utopian vision. In both cases, the end justifies the means, and the state’s power to enforce ideological conformity becomes absolute. This creates a system where the individual’s freedom is subordinated to the collective good, but the collective good is defined by the state, not by the people. Both ideologies rely on the belief that the state has the right to impose its will on the individual for the greater good, regardless of the harm it causes.

In conclusion, both fascism and communism are dangerous ideologies because they prioritize the collective over the individual, leading to the centralization of power and the suppression of dissent. Though they differ in their theoretical justifications, where fascism emphasizes national unity and communism focuses on class struggle, the practical consequences of both systems are similar. Both ideologies have resulted in authoritarian regimes that use violence, coercion, and repression to maintain control and achieve their goals. Whether through the elimination of racial and ethnic minorities in fascist regimes or the suppression of class enemies in communist regimes, both systems have led to widespread suffering and loss of life. To reject one while excusing the other is to ignore the shared authoritarian impulses that define both ideologies. A commitment to individual liberty, democratic principles, and the protection of human rights requires the rejection of both fascism and communism, and a commitment to systems that allow for open debate, reform, and the protection of individual freedoms.