There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the words “communism” and “fascism”.
“Communism” is relatively easy to parse. It is generally understood to be a more extreme version of socialism. Socialism, in turn, is the use of state power to create social equality. Moderate socialists (or simply “socialists”, without qualification) strive to create equality of opportunity. More extreme socialists, or “communists”, strive to create equality of outcome. Given the vast differences in innate ability between one individual and another, it is easy to see that equality of outcome requires a greater use of coercive state power.
I think that a useful definition of communism is as follows:
Communism is an ideology founded on coercive state power that exploits the division of society on the basis of class.
“Fascism” is harder to define. Mussolini (who invented the term, so his view must carry some weight) defined fascism as the merger of state and corporate power. In the modern context, this definition is inadequate for two reasons. Firstly, state power and corporate power have been well and truly merged in modern industrial society for several decades: this use of “fascism” therefore cannot usefully discriminate between one state and another. Secondly, it simply fails to correspond to the way that the word is used today. In general usage, the term “fascism” is closely bound to notions of racial or ethnic superiority.
I think that a more useful definition of fascism is as follows:
Fascism is an ideology founded on coercive state power that exploits the division of society on the basis of ethnicity.
Now, when we look at the above two definitions, it is easy to see the common denominator:
Communism and fascism are ideologies founded on coercive state power that exploits divisions in society.
Full stop. They are two sides of the same coin. The problem is the coin itself: coercive state power that exploits divisions in society. The answer to both sides is the same: the wholesale rejection of the coercive state power.
Differences in innate ability between individuals will always be with us. Racial and ethnic differences between groups of individuals will also always be with us. The remaining question is this: will the coercive power of the state always be with us?
Every action you take should answer a resounding NO!