Various political and economic ideologies exist in the world, such as capitalism, socialism, fascism, communism, and totalitarianism. At one time, these ideologies were enforced in different countries, dividing the world along several lines. However, the breakup of the Soviet Union and the rise of the internet have led to a significant change in geopolitical conditions. Ideologies have become less rigid, and no country strictly follows a single ideology today. Nevertheless, it is essential to understand the differences between these ideologies, including fascism, communism, and totalitarianism.
Key Takeaways
- Fascism places the nation or race above all else and uses state machinery for propaganda and censorship to suppress opposition. It opposes communism, democracy, liberalism, conservatism, and even capitalism.
- Communism aims for a classless society with common ownership and free access to goods, without private property or individual profit. It is still popular in some parts of the world but has become diluted after the fall of the Soviet Union.
- Totalitarianism seeks total political power in the hands of a single person or class, not recognizing individual rights and placing no restrictions on state authority. It is similar to authoritarianism and dictatorship but falls short of both.
