Changes

The term "'''Totalitarian Twins'''" was used by [[François Furet]]<ref>"Furet, borrowing from [[Hannah Arendt]], describes [[Bolshevik]]s and [[Nazism|Nazis]] as totalitarian twins, conflicting yet united." [http://www.thenation.com/doc/19950417/singer (Daniel Singer, ''The Nation'' - April 17, 1995)]</ref> to link [[Communism]] <ref>"The totalitarian nature of Stalin's Russia is undeniable." [http://www.thenation.com/doc/19991213/singer/3 (Daniel Singer)]</ref>  

The term "'''Totalitarian Twins'''" was used by [[François Furet]]<ref>"Furet, borrowing from [[Hannah Arendt]], describes [[Bolshevik]]s and [[Nazism|Nazis]] as totalitarian twins, conflicting yet united." [http://www.thenation.com/doc/19950417/singer (Daniel Singer, ''The Nation'' - April 17, 1995)]</ref> to link [[Communism]]<ref>"The totalitarian nature of Stalin's Russia is undeniable." [http://www.thenation.com/doc/19991213/singer/3 (Daniel Singer)]</ref>  

and [[Fascism]].<ref>"The government of [[Nazi Germany]] was a fascist, totalitarian state." [http://www.remember.org/guide/Facts.root.nazi.html (Gary M. Grobman)]</ref>

and [[Fascism]].<ref>"The government of [[Nazi Germany]] was a fascist, totalitarian state." [http://www.remember.org/guide/Facts.root.nazi.html (Gary M. Grobman)]</ref>

==Fascism and totalitarianism==

==Fascism and totalitarianism==

*Max Eastman, an early communist who later saw the light and rejected communism, wrote in his 1937 book ''The End of Socialism in Russia'' that the [[Soviet Union]] was “a totalitarian state not in essence different from that of [[Hitler]] and [[Mussolini]].” Eastman later wrote in a subsequent book, ''Reflections on the Failure of Socialism'' (1955): “[[Stalin]]’s totalitarian police state is not an approximation to, of something like, or in some respects comparable with Hitler’s. It is the same thing, only ''more'' ruthless, ''more'' cold-blooded, ''more'' astute, ''more'' extreme in its economic policies, ''more'' explicitly committed to world conquest, and ''more'' dangerous to democracy and civilized morals.”

*Max Eastman, an early Communist who later saw the light and rejected Communism, wrote in his 1937 book ''The End of Socialism in Russia'' that the [[Soviet Union]] was “a totalitarian state not in essence different from that of [[Hitler]] and [[Mussolini]].” Eastman later wrote in a subsequent book, ''Reflections on the Failure of Socialism'' (1955): “[[Stalin]]’s totalitarian police state is not an approximation to, of something like, or in some respects comparable with Hitler’s. It is the same thing, only ''more'' ruthless, ''more'' cold-blooded, ''more'' astute, ''more'' extreme in its economic policies, ''more'' explicitly committed to world conquest, and ''more'' dangerous to democracy and civilized morals.”

Gary M. Grobman wrote:

Gary M. Grobman wrote (while incorrectly identifying fascism as "right-wing" when it is actually left-wing):

* [[Totalitarian]] regimes, in contrast to a [[dictatorship]], establish complete political, social, and cultural control over their subjects, and are usually headed by a charismatic leader. Fascism is a form of [[right-wing]] totalitarianism which emphasizes the subordination of the individual to advance the interests of the state. [http://www.remember.org/guide/Facts.root.nazi.html]

* [[Totalitarian]] regimes, in contrast to a [[dictatorship]], establish complete political, social, and cultural control over their subjects, and are usually headed by a charismatic leader. Fascism is a form of [[right-wing]] totalitarianism which emphasizes the subordination of the individual to advance the interests of the state. [http://www.remember.org/guide/Facts.root.nazi.html]

Michael Parenti both acknowledged and criticized the linkage:

Michael Parenti both acknowledged and criticized the linkage:

*Both the Italian fascists and the Nazis consciously tried to imitate the left: youth organizations, mass mobilizations, rallies, parades, banners, symbols, slogans, uniforms. And I think for this reason, too, many mainstream writers treat fascism and communism as totalitarian twins. But most workers and peasants could tell the difference. Industrialists and bankers could tell the difference. And certainly the communists and the fascists could tell the difference.  [http://sonic.net/~doretk/ArchiveARCHIVE/M%20P/Parenti%20on%20Fascism.html]

*Both the Italian fascists and the Nazis consciously tried to imitate the left: youth organizations, mass mobilizations, rallies, parades, banners, symbols, slogans, uniforms. And I think for this reason, too, many mainstream writers treat fascism and Communism as totalitarian twins. But most workers and peasants could tell the difference. Industrialists and bankers could tell the difference. And certainly the Communists and the fascists could tell the difference.  [http://sonic.net/~doretk/ArchiveARCHIVE/M%20P/Parenti%20on%20Fascism.html]

[[Daniel Singer]] wrote:

[[Daniel Singer]] wrote:

*While the totalitarian nature of Stalin's Russia is undeniable, I find the thesis of "totalitarian twins" both wrong and unproductive. [http://www.thenation.com/doc/19991213/singer/3 ("Exploiting a Tragedy, or Le Rouge en Noir")]

*While the totalitarian nature of Stalin's Russia is undeniable, I find the thesis of "totalitarian twins" both wrong and unproductive. [http://www.thenation.com/doc/19991213/singer/3 ("Exploiting a Tragedy, or Le Rouge en Noir")]

==Notes==

==See also==

 

 

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Communism]]

[[Category:Communism]]

[[Category:Fascism]]

[[Category:Fascism]]