If liberalism is like socialism, then is it fair to compare Conservatism with fascism?

Question

Tell me that this doesn't sound like the Conservative ideology.

-Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
- Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
- Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
- Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion.
-Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

- Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. (Reminds me of George W. Bush, Alberto Gonzales, and Scooter Libby.) It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
- Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections. ( I am not a sucker for conspiracy theories however, this reminds me of the year 2000 election)

Not quite dude, fascism rejects the socialize doctrine. Do your homework.

"If we were living in a fascist regime,you wouldn't be posting this nonsense. You kids today." Did I say a complete fascist regime? No. There are fascist elements that are similar to the Consevative ideology.

Instead of making an argument to prove me wrong, you insult me. Typical nonsense from Conservatives. You probably dont even know what fascism is.

First off socialism and fascism can be compared just like any ideology. However, they are the complete opposite.
http://www.lawrence.edu/sorg/objectivism/socfasc.html

Justgoodfolk,
You are so smart. I adore you.

Answer 1

You are exactly right and the reason you are getting such negative feedback from the Conservatives here on Y/A is because the truth is ugly, so they keep denying it.

Truth be told there is a large segment of the Republican party that would jail, deport, or kill anyone who was not like them.

It's funny that they can't even see that they are nearly as bad as the Muslim extremists they tell us all we are to fear!

They can't even see that they are what they oppose......just a different God as their rep!

Answer 2

You are right on the money! I also agree with Kelly B, Rabble Rouser, and Chris H. You should read Naomi Wolf's book. You would really find it interesting. I also have to add that most people don't understand that what many people call socialism is not true socialism at all. True socialism is where everything is owned and controlled BY THE PEOPLE, not by the government. The government simply acts as a central processing unit...so to speak! True socialism has never been used in this world, because the majority of the people on this planet are not evolved enough to truly comprehend the concepts of sharing and cooperation (as opposed to competition), and what they truly mean. *sm*

Answer 3

Obviously the rights claim about American liberals being socialists or even communists is totally wrong. Yes it's fair to compare and you make some good points. People saying Fascism is a form of socialism are misguided and wrong. Fascism was actually a right wing reaction to the fast growing popularity of socialism. In the words of Benito Mussolini himself: " Fascism [is] the complete opposite of…Marxian Socialism, the materialist conception of history of human civilization can be explained simply through the conflict of interests among the various social groups and by the change and development in the means and instruments of production.... Fascism, now and always, believes in holiness and in heroism; that is to say, in actions influenced by no economic motive, direct or indirect. And if the economic conception of history be denied, according to which theory men are no more than puppets, carried to and fro by the waves of chance, while the real directing forces are quite out of their control, it follows that the existence of an unchangeable and unchanging class-war is also denied - the natural progeny of the economic conception of history. And above all Fascism denies that class-war can be the preponderant force in the transformation of society.... "
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/mussolini-fascism.html

If you reject Marx you reject socialism.

You point out some very real similarities between conservatism and fascism. Truth is Fascism is hostile to Marxism, liberalism, and conservatism, yet it borrows concepts and practices from all three. Fascism rejects the principles of class struggle and workers' internationalism as threats to national or racial unity, yet it often exploits real grievances against capitalists and landowners through ethnic scapegoating or radical-sounding conspiracy theories. Fascism rejects the liberal doctrines of individual autonomy and rights, political pluralism, and representative government, yet it advocates broad popular participation in politics and may use parliamentary channels in its drive to power. Its vision of a "new order" clashes with the conservative attachment to tradition-based institutions and hierarchies, yet fascism often romanticizes the past as inspiration for national rebirth.

Answer 4

Let's take your examples one at a time:

1)Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed.

I've never heard any Conservative call for suppressing divorce or homosexuality. As for abortion, most Conservatives thing R v. W is bad law, and should be left to each state to decide. But hey, it IS legalized baby killing. Who in their right mind can support that?

2) state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

Liberal Democrats are pushing this idea. Ever heard of "It Takes A Village"? Ever heard of socialized everything?

3) What media organization is being controlled or censored?

4) Fear originates on the side of the liberals. Anyone recall how Democrats try to scare voters? Every election I see ads warning me how black churches will burn, how SSI will be destroyed, how the rich will get richers, how women will be forced into back-alley abortions, how the elderly will be forced to eat cat food, how their health care and medicines will go away, if Republican X gets elected.

5) How is the government using Christianity to "manipulate public opinion"?

Answer 5

The true definition of conservatism is to be wise. "Progression through Conservative Principle." would be the best way. But it takes real work. It doesn't offer a quick fix to an enormous dilemma. It rather offers "true" viable solutions to complex problems. What's funny is the answers to most problems are rather simple. Most want to repair something glorious thats rests upon a cracked foundation. Does it not make more sense to fix the Foundation first?

Answer 6

Many don't realize that Socialism is an economic philosophy but Fascism is more of a style of government. One who actually does research will know that Fascism is really centered on keeping companies happy.

http://www.bushwatch.com/fascism.htm

Look at point 9 regarding the economics of Fascism.

Answer 7

I don't think either characterization is very fair to the respective policies.. they are not as extreme as the true economic systems behind socialism & fascism.

Answer 8

Conservatism certainly doesn't have to equate with fascism, but in the U.S., increasingly, it does.

The following may be familiar to you.

" Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread
domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections."

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

Answer 9

Absolutely. The facist regime running this country cares very little for it's citizens. Pay close attention as they strip away our civil liberties. One day soon they will be coming for your neighbors.

Answer 10

No it is not fair, not completely. Fascism is extreme while socialism, distasteful as it is, is not extreme. Communism is your socialistic extreme and perhaps the comparison you meant.