Why do people call “conservatives” Fascists?

Question

I know that people use words as insults without any understanding of their actual meaning. But considering Mussolini’s definition, what distinguishes Fascism from other forms of Collectivism? Fascism was obviously opposed to Marxian Socialism but so was Fabianism and Titoism. Stalin’s Socialism was in stark contrast to Trotskyism. It is foolish then to define “Socialism” by its adherence to the principles and philosophy of Karl Marx.

If you have ever bothered to gain an accurate understanding of Fascism, can you explain what separates it from Fabianism (UK), Solidarism (France), Maoism (Asia/Latin America), Soviet Communism (Eastern Europe/Asia/Africa/Latin America), National Socialism [NAZI-ism] (Germany), Ba’athism (Syria/Iraq) or Democratic Socialism (USA)? Some of the States advocating these views have since passed but the ideologies remain intact.

So why do Leftists, repeatedly utter the “Fascist” when the ideology of the Fascist is more consistent with Leftist ideology?

I place the word “conservative” in quotes because people tend to lump all anti-Socialists into the “conservative” camp.

What is Fascism? (1932), by Benito Mussolini

“……Fascism [is] the complete opposite of…Marxian Socialism”

“And above all Fascism denies that class-war can be the preponderant force in the transformation of society....”

“The foundation of Fascism is the conception of the State, its character, its duty, and its aim. Fascism conceives of the State as an absolute, in comparison with which all individuals or groups are relative, only to be conceived of in their relation to the State.”

“...The Fascist State organizes the nation, but leaves a sufficient margin of liberty to the individual; the latter is deprived of all useless and possibly harmful freedom, but retains what is essential; the deciding power in this question cannot be the individual, but the State alone....”

This is not the complete explanation of the philosophy of course but so far it bears a striking resemblance to the views and/or policies of various Western political parties (i.e. Democratic Party of the USA, Labour Party of the UK and Ségolène Royal of France).

Answer 1

If anyone call republicans "Fascists", they are thinking of what GWB has done in the last 4 years and of the fact that the republicans support it.
If you want a more comprehensive answer, why don't you ask "What has GWB done in the last 4 years which would support the idea he and his supporters are behaving like "Fascists".
You are likely to get an eye full.

Answer 2

What I think is important is to not equate a one-time definition of fascism with what fascism actually is. It all depends upon the political spectrum we are using to define the situation. On some political spectrums, fascism and conservatism will be fairly close. On others, fascism will be closer to liberalism. In particular, it is possible to make the label of "fascist" fit closer to any ideology at any particular moment. It is a catch all phrase and as such is simply rhetorical. It is not accurate to say that fascism is either more consistent with either liberal or conservatism.

Rather than discuss fascisms relationship with all the other doctrines, I find it much more useful to look for the fascisms within each ideology (none is immune and ever will be). However, when each discusses issues such as community over individuals (Burkean conservatism, nationalisms, Nazism, and Maoism) it is moving toward some strong similarities with fasicsm. In contrast, when ideologies support government "taking care" of the citizens they are often times moving close to paternalistic fascism (for example, solidarism, democratic socialism, and post-Fordist liberalism).

Once again, all ideologies have fascist tendencies and the claim can be made at any time against any ideologue, it just doesn't tell us much. Let's actually discuss the issue and consider policys or ideas as fascist, but ideologies are two diverse, large, and multifaceted to be unified and coherent.

Answer 3

You're overthinking the equasion.

Thomas Jefferson is credited with coining the concept of the political spectrum.

His point of view was that the larger and more tyrannical a government became, the further left it would appear on the political spectrum. The more liberty a society enjoyed, the further right they would appear on the political spectrum.

Leftists didn't like that because they needed to be able to spin the right-wing positions, so they figured (figures don't lie, but liars sure do figure!) . . . they figured that since fascism is a coalition of business and government; they re-created the political spectrum, placing fascism on the right and communism on the left.

You and I see this for what it is: it's just blatant deception. But because they dominate all of academia, they've pulled off this mass brain-washing endeavor.

That's why it doesn't make sense that two different forms of totalitarianism are on the polar ends of the political spectrum. One or two changes in policy would swing a communist government into a fascist government, whereas it takes generations to convert a society enjoying liberty into a totalitarian dictatorship, and nearly impossible to reverse a dictatorship back to morality sufficient to enjoy true liberty without falling into anarchy.
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Answer 4

Most Conservatives have no idea what they're talking about. Hence, why they always lose debates and are forced into to name calling to save face. Republicans clearly endorse fascists policies and methods. Unfortunately, most of them have no idea what fascism is so they don't know what they're doing. They say you learn about the past so you don't repeat it. The problem is, most Conservatives aren't very educated and have no idea what the word fascist, socialist, communist means. That's why they throw them around at will. I've seen Cons on Y!A call Libs fascist communists in the same sentence.

Answer 5

You have kind of answered your own question. The use of facism to describe or to insult conservatives refers to the tendency of recent Republican Administrations, as in Reagan, Bush, and Bush to limit freedom in the pursuit of the "greater good". This is not really a criticism of conservatism, as these administrations are not or were not strictly conservative. All three administrations called for and preached smaller, less intrusive government while creating the three largest federal governments in history. All three claimed to be fiscally conservative, but created more red ink than all other administrations combined. Most of the debt created by these three went into defense and the defense industry. This is the same thing that happened in Nazi Germany and in Mussolini's Italy. That is why the term facism is used, because there is a lot of similarity in political style.

Answer 6

Fascism is essentially the big indusrialists working together closely with the military..and having a government that supports both above all else.
Mussolini considered naming his fasist party ..the Corporatism party...just to give you a sense.

Also, Fascist are known for the dictatorial leanings believing that decisions are best made by one man than the many or at least the few rich over the many.

Hitler nazi fascists disregarded constitutions, and approved of torture and warrantless surveillance, and they were warmongers, and invaded other countries based on false pretexts...amongst other things..just to give you a sense.

Now let me ask you...why do they call republicans here in the USA fascists....?? you make the call..

Answer 7

There are some fascists within the 'conservative' republcian party...

Commonly called neocons, their desire for a NWO has led to many policies that are stripping away our constitutional rights and civil liberties..



Why do republicans call liberals 'socialists'?

Answer 8

You raise a good point, Republicans believe in the right to keep and bear arms, a Facist wanted to allow only Police and Military to use Guns, so do the Democrats (although the Democrats in California now wanna take Cops from Guns like what happened in Britain, at least Cops can still have Guns in Australia).

Answer 9

It's a mindless repetition of a twisted interpretation. Based on the available statistics of the state of education of the majority of the USA, one should not expect any real knowledge of history and facts. So, consider it just another slanderous word used to put down others. I compliment you for your research.

Answer 10

Ignorance, Liberals are far more inclined to use stormtrooper tactics than Conservatives. It was clear in the last Presidential election.