loquitur

Actually, if you're going to be scrupulously honest you'll need to recognize that socialism and fascism have far more in common with each other than either one does with classically liberal capitalism. Both rely heavily on state power and both depend on the wisdom and authority of the person or group running the government to make decisions for the polity. Both (in their pure forms) are all-encompassing, making decisions for individuals for their own good. Both claim to be revolutionary. The differences are primarily in the justifications invoked. To an individual living in a society governed by either system, that's a negligible difference.

And that's why Friedrich Hayek was 100% right. Well, maybe not 100% but a lot more than 50-50. If you believe in human rights you have to believe in both civil AND political freedom AND economic freedom. Otherwise you're on the road to serfdom.

Oh, and Roachboy, you're right about needing a definition of fascism. That was my point above. And I also maintain that if you set up a grid based on characteristics of the system (as opposed to platitudinous justifications - and maybe even then), you'll see that communism and fascism are very, very, very close - not at all on opposite ends.