Comparison of Fascism and Communism - Essay Example

Essay, History and Political Science In one of the sycophantic political utterance, Prime Minister of England John Major once said, “communism and fascism lie far behind us. The two huge adversaries of reason are therefore defeated.” This was a surprising statement as he spent most of his life fighting the evils of communism and fascism. Fascism and communism might be at rest for some time, but they are not exhausted. They have deep roots in many Eastern European nations, which after blissfully enlightened from dread of communism during 90s turned down and voted for free will with a slight make over. As fascism is much misunderstood, its remains are found in North America and Europe, mostly in universities and schools which are great promoters of ethnic identities (Lynch). Fascism too is an implication of frantic expression of communism. In fact, they both go parallel to each other. Major as a pluralist, wished to hold them responsible together. Communism and fascism were both revolutionary and rivals of socialism. Fascism advocates building up socialism on national grounds as in Germany and Italy. While communism go above this notion as it tries to build socialism on international basis. Fascism and communism both try to distinct themselves from the ideas of Hitlerism. The communists persuaded the intellectuals to label the fascist socialism as the right wing (Lynch). But neither of these two theories was conventional. They weren’t able to hold the lasting civil and moral values of a free society against predating state. They used the title ‘democracy’ and asserted to fulfill will of an individual in reality, both of them were worshippers of totalitarian state and were enemies of capitalism. They contempt the rights of private property, mocked the belief in individual free will as the foundation of civilization, and were mostly atheist. Fascists and communists placed great emphasis in appeals of statism rather remotely. Both were governed by a God-like, absolute leader over the people. They were proudly socialist and will always be this way (Gairdner). However what should primarily be of our interest is that they were adversaries of reason. They were the biggest expressions of naked reason. All socialist theories including communism and fascism were not liberal, or governed by moral or religious norms. Democracy brought reason with it in this world. The democratic theories of French Revolution are an exemplary idea of that period. France was decristianized because religion was deemed as irrational and unimportant. The crucifies were dragged on the streets, priests were decapitated and churches smashed. The Notre Dame Cathedral was given a new name, “the Temple of Reason.” Inside the Cathedral, a gimcrack structure of Greco-Roman was constructed made up of papier-mache and linen and also a toga-clad opera singer who kept playing part of Liberty as the Flame of Reason ornamented the place. A ‘Feast of Reason’ was also celebrated in Saint Jean Cathedral where all the supplicants sang the anti-hymns orchestrating Reason as the Supreme Power (Gairdner). Hitler proudly laughed at the beginning of World War II that the upcoming revolution is ours which is National Socialism is the correct opposite of French Revolution. Micheal Oakeshott, a British philosopher, concluded communism, National Socialism, and fascism as policies of representative democracy which is the guide of the former. According to G.K. Chesterton, a passionate person is the one who have nothing but reason. These include not having standards of decency and moral norms but just logic. Reason without the norms of society is just a failure. It is true for all nations. Another witty person said that neither communism nor fascism was a decline into dark ages or going away from reason, but they were rather concerned with fulfillment. It is the irony of our past and also a warning to future (Gairdner). In Obama’s speech in Cairo, democracy was the fourth issue he brought up. He believed that there has been some misunderstanding as to endorsement of democracy in past few years, and much of this endorsement has been linked to Iraq war. He claimed that no system of governance can be obligated by one nation on another regardless of any reason. But, this does not reduce the burden of commitment that governments entail on their people. Each nation brings life to its citizens in this way. Each nation is bounded by traditions made by its own people for its people. What America presumes for itself might not be true for every other nation in the world. But, if human rights are what we are discussing, they are for all (The NewYork Times). The declaration of independence is for all people as and democracy can not preclude it being as such. It is eminent for various reasons. It gained empathy for various reasons for the colonists. It has some bold guiding principles which are the basis of democratic governments all around the world. They have been the reason for our country to serve as a democracy. The main aim of government is to protect rights of people; power of government is by the people, with the people and for the people as per democracy. Government is in charge of army and not the reverse. People should not pay taxes by reason in a democratic government if their representatives do not speak for the taxes of the people (Government). The question still irritates us that are there any human right to democracy? No might is the right answer. Why? It is because democracy is shallow without justice. An idea of human rights is part of an ideal system of worldwide public reason. It has a shared foundation for political argument that says there is a widespread reason that connects convicting philosophical, religious and ethical norms and traditions which can reasonably be shared or at least expected to be. The idea of human rights are an appropriate subset of rights which are based on justice, so a society that safeguards human rights is not just ipso facto fair only. Also, this idea is made up of membership account and also human rights entitlements to make sure the membership foundations. Democracy needs justice and justice mandates the conception of equality and reason which is more challenging than concept of membership linked with human rights (Government). References Gairdner, William. Democracy and Reason. William D. Gairdner, n.d. Web. 14 May 2013. http://www.williamgairdner.com/democracry-and-reason/ "Government." The Declaration of Independence. N.p.. Web. 14 May 2013. . Lynch, Micheal P.. "Democracy as a Space of Reasons." Philosophy. University of Pennsylvania Press. Web. 14 May 2013. . The NewYork Times, . "Text: Obama’s Speech in Cairo." The NewYork Times:Politics. The NewYork Times, 04 Jun 2009. Web. 14 May 2013. . Read More