What is the Difference Between Fascism and Communism and Totalitarianism?

Fascism, communism, and totalitarianism are political and economic ideologies that have shaped various societies throughout history. Here are the key differences between them:

Fascism:
Nationalistic and top-down system with rigid class roles.
Emphasizes the superiority of a person or a class.
Opposes communism, democracy, liberalism, conservatism, and capitalism.
Believes in war and uses state machinery for propaganda and censorship.
Considers the state to be supreme and absolute.
Political analysts consider fascism to be on the far right of the political spectrum.
Communism:
Advocates for a classless society based on economic equality.
Originated in Europe and gained popularity in the early to mid-20th century.
Individual choices matter less than society as a whole.
Government controls all labor and wealth, and individual choices such as one's job or education are dictated by the government.
Abolishes religion and private property.
Totalitarianism:
Refers to any ideology in which the state seeks total control over citizens.
Can include fascism, communism, and other ideologies.
In practice, totalitarianism often results in absolute control going to one person.
Has low tolerance for dissent and seeks to suppress public thought and media.

While fascism and communism are both totalitarian systems, they have distinct characteristics. Fascism focuses on nationalism and a top-down system with rigid class roles, while communism advocates for a classless society based on economic equality. Totalitarianism, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses any ideology where the state seeks total control over its citizens, which can include both fascism and communism.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Fascism and Communism and Totalitarianism?

Comparative Table: Fascism vs Communism vs Totalitarianism

Here is a table comparing Fascism, Communism, and Totalitarianism:

Feature	Fascism	Communism	Totalitarianism
Ownership	State ownership of essential services through dictator; individuals may own property and small businesses	Entire elimination of property rights; government controls all labor and wealth	Strong central rule that attempts to control various aspects of public and private life
Social Structure	Upholds a strict class structure, ensuring that every member of society has a specific role	Classless society, abolishing the capitalist class and other social constructs like rigid gender roles	Presence of a dominating ruling elite
Individual Rights	Restricted individual choices, such as job or education, dictated by the government	Religion and private property are abolished; individual choices dictated by the government	Control over private life and thoughts of individuals; limited freedom of speech, press, and assembly
Economy	Conservative economic policy that favors the wealthy; some private property allowed	Government-controlled economy, with little to no market regulation	Economy subject to central control and planning
Nationalism	Extreme militaristic nationalism, emphasis on national identity	Internationalist focus, downplaying national differences	Nationalistic focus, often with expansionist aims
Government Type	Dictatorship, often with corporate interests tied to "the national will"	Single-party rule, with a focus on collective goals	Dictatorship or single-party rule with strong central control

Please note that these descriptions are general and may not apply to every instance of these systems.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.