Socialism Communism Fascism Socialism a reaction to the

Socialism, Communism, Fascism

Socialism • a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, characterized by: – rejection of the idea that the wealthy “deserve their wealth” because they created it - but instead an argument that wealthy exploit working classes – vision of society based on economic equality – belief in cooperation, production for benefit of all – idea of public ownership of means of production, not public ownership of everything

Marx and Socialism • German Socialist writer (1818 – 1883) • believed society wasn’t made up of individuals, but of CLASSES (based on economics) • argued some classes were oppressed by others • during his lifetime, he looked at the working classes and argued they were oppressed by the capitalist classes – and that this was wrong • Marx envisioned the working class taking over the gov’t (through revolution) and then the gov’t taking over all industry

Marxism to Communism Many Socialists disagreed with Marx’s ideas on: • need for revolution • complete abolition of all private ownership 1848: Marx and Engels publish the COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

Communism The immediate aim of the Communists is the… formation of the proletariat into a class, overthrow of the bourgeois supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat. " - Karl Marx, Communist Manifesto, 1848 Communism is characterized by: • idea that history is guided by class struggle • desire to establish a classless, stateless society • belief in the abolition of all private ownership, • belief that this will come about through revolution

Communism vs. Socialism • Communism emerged out of Socialism – and early communists considered themselves socialist • For modern communists: Communism is an advanced stage of Socialism is the stage between Capitalism (which is bad) and Communism (which is perfect) • Communism in practice has moved significantly away from theory – disconnecting it from Socialism

Fascism • a reaction to the rise of Liberalism, Socialism and Communism • developed in Italy under Mussolini • flourished in economically unstable countries prior to WWII

Fascism vs. Communism Both were dictatorial in nature and both deprived individuals of their rights within society… BUT Fascism Communism • proposed revolution to • gov’t works within capitalism – works with overthrow capitalism people who control and ban private production to improve ownership state economy • called for a ‘withering away of the state’ with • exalted the state above all, and used police eventual cooperative and military to control public control people

Why did Fascism object to Socialism and Communism? • Fascists saw these other ideologies as having failed because they couldn’t bring stability • Fascism is based on idea of absolute state • In a fascist state, citizens are obliged “to believe, to obey, to combat” for the good of the state – this is the direct opposite of the 19 th century ideals of individual liberty and freedom

Let’s Summarize… SOCIALISM COMMUNISM • man is naturally good – a bad environment makes people bad • gov’t should regulate economy – public ownership • equality is important, but the common good is the ultimate goal • people give gov’t authority, and can take it away change happens through REFORM • man is perfectible • eventually, the state will wither away and people will not need gov’t • all goods will be held in common • equality is important, but the common good is the ultimate goal • people consent to be governed until the state withers away – starts with REVOLUTION

To continue… FASCISM • man needs to be controlled • the state is all important – the individual is only important insofar as how he contributes to the state • the gov’t controls all aspects of life – this brings stability and order • the people have no control over gov’t, and no right to rebel against gov’t • enemies of the state will be dealt with harshly