Democratic Socialism,
Fascism, and
Communism
By Nat Murphy
Overview
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These three things all have to do with how a
nation is ruled and controlled.
All three deal with the concept of private
property and the redistribution of wealth for the
betterment of society.
Democratic Socialism
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Democratic- relating to, appealing to, or
available to the broad masses of the people
Socialism- any of various economic and political
theories advocating collective or governmental
ownership and administration of the means of
production and distribution of goods
Democratic Socialism cont.
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Socialism does not advocate the complete
alleviation of private property from society.
It does advocate a degree of wealth distribution
to prevent abject poverty.
The government collects money, in the form of
taxes, to, among other things, help the citizens
of its nation.
Democratic Socialism Cont.
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Common applications of Socialism- Socialized
Medicine, Medicare, Social Security, and
Unemployment Benefits.
The United States has Socialistic policies in
place, but tends to lean away from complete
Socialism.
Current Nations with heavy Socialistic policiesThe United Kingdom, Canada, and France.
Fascism
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Definition-a political philosophy, movement, or
regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation
and often race above the individual and that
stands for a centralized autocratic government
headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic
and social regimentation, and forcible
suppression of opposition
Fascism cont.
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A Fascist government depends on its citizens’
complete devotion to the state.
Private property is allowed, as long as the
citizens completely follow the laws of the
nation.
“It doesn’t matter who owns the business, as
long as they do more for the nation than
themselves with it.”
Fascism Cont.
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The most obvious example of a Fascist regime is
Hitler’s Third Reich during the early twentieth century,
but Mussolini’s Italy and Franco’s Spain are other
examples.
Hitler’s rule is famous for the genocide of the Jewish
people and many other atrocities.
Fascism and Nazism are often confused for the same
ideology.
War time governments often become somewhat fascist
to better their performance.
Fascism Cont.
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This fact is noted in the Foreword by Pynchon.
He says that during World War II the British
government was just as fascist as the Third
Reich.
They controlled prices of goods, took control
of factories, and played a larger role in the
economy than they otherwise would.
Communism
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Definition - a theory advocating elimination of
private property b: a system in which goods are
owned in common and are available to all as
needed
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Notice the difference between Communism as a
view of Economic policy, while Fascism leans
toward a form of rule.
Communism Cont.
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The most obvious examples of a communist nation are
The Soviet Union, China, and North Korea.
In truth there is no true communist run government.
These are all totalitarian governements.
They use the lack of private property to prevent the
economic expansion of anyone, as opposed to
stemming the unjust economic expansion of some.
Communism cont.
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The theory of communism in its roots is that everyone
is equal.
This mind set is championed by Karl Marx in his
“Communist Manifesto.”
Marx advocated an uprising of the lowest class or the
“Proletariat.”
This class is represented by the Proles in 1984
Note that an uprising occurred to fix the problems of
the world, but instead a class just like the proletariat was
created.
Communism cont.
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Communism only works in theory not in
actuality.
If someone were to rule over a communist
nation there would be a mass violation of the
theory of communism.
The tenet that everyone is equal would be
violated.
In 1984
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It is obvious, as well as stated in the foreword,
that Goldstein represents Trotsky, while Big
Brother is Stalin.
Youtube Video
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxXhqxtm
Hjo First Two Minutes
The progression of governments described in
the video is the Polybius Circle.
This process is illustrated in 1984.
The government of Oceania is one just like the
one illustrated in the video.
Video cont.
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The Polybius Circle describes an evolution of
governments, as seen by a Greek philosopher.
1. Monarchy, 2. Kingship, 3. Tyranny, 4.
Aristocracy, 5. Oligarchy, 6. Democracy, and 7.
Ochlocracy.
Ochlocracy could be translated as anarchy.
This type of progression is seen in 1984.
Works Cited
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Merriam Webster's Dictionary Online
Western Civilization by Spielvogel Sixth Edition
The John Birch Society
British Broadcasting Company
Works Consulted
British Broadcasting Corporation. British Broadcasting
Company. 11 Jan. 2009 <http://www.bbc.com>.
Merriam Webster's. Merriam Webster's. 11 Jan. 2009
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/>.
Spielvogel, Jackson. Western Civilization. New York:
Wadsworth, 2005.
"The John Birch Society". John Birch Society. 1/11/09
<http://www.jbs.org/>.