Marxism vs. Fascism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 20, 2023
Marxism advocates for classless society through proletariat revolution; fascism promotes nationalism and often dictatorial power.
Difference Between Marxism and Fascism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Marxism, conceptualized by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a political and economic theory focusing on the struggle between social classes, particularly the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class). This theory posits that societal change, primarily in the economic domain, is inevitable due to these class conflicts. On the other hand, fascism is an authoritarian and nationalistic political ideology that emphasizes the importance of the nation or race over individual rights and often favors dictatorial power.
Marxism champions the idea of a classless society where the means of production are communally owned. It seeks to eliminate capitalist systems, which it views as exploitative, by transitioning through a period of proletarian revolution and dictatorship to eventually reach communism. In contrast, fascism prioritizes the unity and purity of the nation or race, often sidelining individual freedoms and diversity. It sees the state's power as a tool to preserve and amplify the nation's strengths and traditions.
Marxism is grounded in a materialist interpretation of history, meaning it views changes in material conditions (like technology or production methods) as the primary driver of societal transformation. It suggests that all political and ideological superstructures arise from the economic base. Fascism, however, often emerges in response to perceived societal decay or the threat of external enemies. It tends to glorify war, violence, and aggressive masculinity as means to rejuvenate and invigorate the nation.
While Marxism emphasizes internationalism and seeks to unite the global proletariat against capitalist systems, fascism is inherently insular. Fascist regimes tend to promote isolationist policies, emphasizing self-sufficiency and national pride. For Marxists, the goal is international solidarity against oppression, while fascists aim for national dominance and often racial purity.
Lastly, Marxism's ultimate vision is a stateless and classless society where individuals contribute and receive based on their abilities and needs. Fascism, however, rarely offers a vision beyond the perpetuation of the state's power and the purity and dominance of the nation or race.
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Comparison Chart
Core Belief
Class struggle & proletarian revolution
Nationalism & dictatorial power
View on State
Means to achieve classless society
Central tool for nationalistic goals
Historical Roots
Materialist interpretation of history
Reaction to perceived societal decay
International View
Internationalist
Isolationist or imperialistic
Ultimate Vision
Stateless and classless society
Powerful state & pure nation or race
Compare with Definitions
Marxism
Marxism is a method of socioeconomic analysis that uses a materialist interpretation of historical development, better known as historical materialism, to understand class relations and social conflict as well as a dialectical perspective to view social transformation. It originates from the works of 19th-century German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Fascism
Fascism is a political ideology emphasizing dictatorial power and extreme nationalism.
The rise of fascism in the 20th century led to devastating wars.
Marxism
Marxism is a socio-economic theory that emphasizes the role of class struggle in societal change.
The student wrote an essay on how Marxism analyzes the relationship between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.
Fascism
Fascism often sidelines individual rights in favor of the collective good of the nation.
Under fascism, personal freedoms were often suppressed to maintain national unity.
Marxism
Marxism is an ideology rooted in the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
She read original texts to understand the nuances of Marxism.
Fascism
Fascism frequently promotes militarism and racial purity.
Fascism's emphasis on racial superiority has led to countless atrocities.
Marxism
Marxism seeks to establish a classless society by overthrowing capitalist systems.
Critics of Marxism argue that it's idealistic to envision a fully classless society.
Fascism
An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
Marxism
The economic and political theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that hold that human actions and institutions are economically determined and that class struggle is needed to create historical change and that capitalism will untimately be superseded by communism
Fascism
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
Marxism
Marxism holds that capitalism inherently exploits the working class.
Proponents of Marxism claim that wage labor is a form of exploitation.
Fascism
Fascism is a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy, which came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe. The first fascist movements emerged in Italy during World War I, before spreading to other European countries.
Marxism
The political and economic philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in which the concept of class struggle plays a central role in understanding society's allegedly inevitable development from bourgeois oppression under capitalism to a socialist and ultimately classless society.
Fascism
Fascism is marked by centralized authority and often a disdain for democracy.
Critics worry about the parallels between certain modern leaders and historic figures who embraced fascism.
Marxism
A system of economic and political thought, originated by Karl Marx, and elaborated by others. It holds that the state has been the a device for suppression of the masses, allowing exploitation by a dominant (capitalistic) class; that historical change occurs through class struggle; and that the capitalist system will inevitably wither away to be superseded by a classless society.
Fascism
Fascism glorifies the state as the ultimate entity, often using propaganda.
The state-sponsored propaganda in fascist regimes was pervasive and manipulative.
Marxism
Alternative case form of Marxism
Fascism
Any system of strong autocracy or oligarchy usually to the extent of bending and breaking the law, race-baiting, and/or violence against largely unarmed populations.
Marxism
Marxism bases its philosophy on a materialist interpretation of history.
Historians use Marxism as a lens to examine the economic forces driving historical events.
Fascism
Any extreme reliance on or enforcement of rules and regulations.
Fascism
A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Fascism
Oppressive, dictatorial control.
Fascism
Any right-wing, authoritarian, nationalist ideology characterized by centralized, totalitarian governance, strong regimentation of the economy and society, and repression of criticism or opposition.
Fascism
A political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government; - opposed to democracy and liberalism.
Fascism
An authoritarian system of government under absolute control of a single dictator, allowing no political opposition, forcibly suppressing dissent, and rigidly controlling most industrial and economic activities. Such regimes usually try to achieve popularity by a strongly nationalistic appeal, often mixed with racism.
Fascism
Specifically, the Fascist movement led by Benito Mussolini in Italy from 1922 to 1943.
Fascism
Broadly, a tendency toward or support of a strongly authoritarian or dictatorial control of government or other organizations; - often used pejoratively in this sense.
Fascism
A political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government (as opposed to democracy or liberalism)
Common Curiosities
What is the primary focus of Marxism?
Marxism centers on the class struggle, aiming for a classless society through the overthrow of capitalist structures.
How does fascism view individual rights?
Fascism often downplays individual rights, prioritizing the collective good of the nation or race above personal freedoms.
Who are the primary figures behind Marxism?
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are the foundational thinkers and writers behind Marxism.
Is fascism inherently militaristic?
Yes, fascism often promotes militarism, glorifying war and violence as means to rejuvenate the nation.
Why is fascism considered a nationalistic ideology?
Fascism prioritizes the purity and unity of the nation or race, emphasizing its superiority and often sidelining diversity.
How does Marxism view the state's role?
Marxism sees the state as a transitional tool towards achieving a classless society, after which the state would wither away.
Can Marxism and fascism coexist?
Typically, no. The fundamental principles of Marxism and fascism are diametrically opposed, especially in their views on class struggle and nationalism.
What's the ultimate vision of Marxism?
Marxism envisions a stateless and classless society where individuals contribute based on their abilities and receive based on their needs.
Does fascism have a specific economic model?
Unlike Marxism, which is tied to a specific economic viewpoint, fascism can adapt to various economic models as long as they serve the nation's interests.
Is fascism always associated with racism?
While not all fascist regimes explicitly promote racism, many have emphasized racial purity or superiority as part of their nationalistic ideology.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
