Does Fascism fall under Collectivism with Socialism or the Right concerning individualism?

Question

Left wing liberals originally represented the 'individualist' ideology; however that changed in America. Now left wing seems to represent Socialism or Collectivism in one form or another, and Right Wing represents Individualism. (Talking about foundational principles here.) So is Fascism, in principle, a Left Wing or Right Wing Ideology? In line with current interpretation of the two polarities.

Answer 1

I'd say that fascism can't be defined as left-wing or right-wing. Fascism is totalitarian. The American left and the American right are not totalitarian. I'd say the left- and right-wings are somewhat "authoritarian," in that they both support using the full coercive force of the government to violate our rights on occasion.

Totalitarian ideologies are always collectivist. Collectivism is used as a tool to subjugate and oppress a population.

Totalitarian ideologies also employ the use of regulatory economic, social, and political policies, which is why socialism and totalitarianism complement one another.

Answer 2

It's important to keep two things in mind first, I think.

1. Left and right are different in the U.S. and in Europe. They mean and stand for different things and are not always associated with each other.

2. We need to separate out Enlightenment divisions (which ended in the 1970s) from neoliberal divisions (from 1970s-2001). Liberalism did used to be all about individualism, and that language has largely changed from one of individual liberties to individual empowerment or actualization (which requires, depending upon the person, affirmative action, socialism, pro-union policies, educational expansion, gender equality, etc).

Conservatives used to be against policies and political systems that undermined the collective stability. This has changed also with them arguing for very upsetting policies to return to some imagined community that had substantial morality and communal bonds.

3. Answer: Fascism is probably more akin to the previous dualities, and certainly fits into the conservative camp. However, my argument is that Fascism (particularly the brand practiced in the 30s and 40s), does not fit into the current neoliberal political polarities. With the changes to liberalism and conservatism that have occurred since the 60s and 70s: it is no longer easy to claim that one wants a large government and the other wants a small government, or any other easy polarities. Instead, it seems both have adopted some components of both small governments and large governance. Fascism can fit into both left and right wing ideologies. Just my 2 centavos.

Answer 3

Fascism is a form of socialism. The government controlled everything. the NAZI party was the national socialist party.

Nothing in Conservatism has anything to do with a strong central government controlling things. That is a liberal ideal. In that respect, liberals and socialists are similar.

Originally, liberals were for equal opportunity. Now they are past that and are for equal outcome. Equal opportunity was a noble cause and has been successful. Equality of outcome is socialism. "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need". It does not take long to realize the ones who will benefit from such a socialist ideal are the needy. The ones who will suffer the most are the achievers. Socialism fails because it punishes the very things it should be encouraging and encourages the very things is should punish.

If you work harder and are more efficient, we will take it away from you. If you are lazy and inefficient we will give you more.

It just doesn't recognize that the human spirit cannot be suppressed this way without a negative backlash. That backlash has destroyed or is in the process of destroying every socialist country in the world.

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Answer 4

The concept of "Right and Left" as political ideologies comes from the act of dividing legislators into groups in the halls where they meet.
One group on the left side of the hall, the other on the right.
Beyond that, the concept has little value.
What today's social engineers do with the concept is another issue entirely and it is very useful for MISDIRECTING the attention of the public at large.
An ACCURATE concept would be to create a spectrum where Anarchy is at one extreme and every type of Totalitarian Tyranny is at the other extreme.
Fascism, Marxism, Socialism (Control of money under Socialism is control of Power since money IS power), Communism etc. would then all be viewed as extreme. In the center resides Limited Government where people are free to benefit from the fruits of their own labor. There needs to be LIMITED control where freedom rains in an organized society.

Answer 5

Fascism has always been a right-wing ideology though some political scientists say it falls somewhere between left and right.

From wikipedia (not the best source, just the easiest)
"Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the needs of the state, and seeks to forge a type of national unity, usually based on ethnic, cultural, or racial attributes. Various scholars attribute different characteristics to fascism, but the following elements are usually seen as its integral parts: nationalism, authoritarianism, militarism, corporatism, collectivism, totalitarianism, anti-communism, and opposition to economic and political liberalism."

Answer 6

Fascism is authoritarian. It's hard to characterize it as collectivist, since it emphasizes nationalism and often capitalizes on divisions in society. It's also not individualistic at all, since it places devotion to the state above self interest.

Answer 7

well, it's like you said-foundations of principles change; and even when they are stable, they possess mounds of inherent discrepencies and contradictions.

It all depends on who is selling it and for what? Hitler manifested it in a Right way. Most African dictators do the other way.