Competing Ideological Continuums

Currently, I have found that there are two different political ideology continuums that people use. Unfortunately, one of them casts the right in a negative light while the true political continuum reveals the truth.

For many, and indeed most, the perception is that the political continuum has communism on the left flank and fascism on the right flank. Intense nationalism, to those who ascribe to this continuum, is a phenomenon of the right. Hitler, for example, was a right winger in this context. On the left of this continuum, one would find people who believe that the state should exert control over the economy and society. Leaders like Mao and Stalin are considered leftists.

There is an obvious problem with the political continuum being defined that way. Hitler sought to control society and to use the state to manipulate the economy. The only difference is that people of the left do not try to manipulate the economy, they try to run it. Hitler’s “right wing” fascism and Stalin’s “left wing” communism are both examples of authoritarianism. Mussolini for example, widely considered a fascist, was first and foremost a socialist. The ideas are not competing, they are complimentary because they are both about control.

A true political continuum realizes that fascism and communism are, in fact, very similar in that they attempt to exert control over society. Authoritarian forms of government are on the left; both fascism and communism are left wing. On the right is anarchy, the antithesis of absolute authoritarianism.

Certainly, the Republican Party today is likely a bit to the right of the Democrat Party but the fact remains that both are sliding to the left. Unfortunately, conservatism, a true right wing ideology that stands for freedom and liberty, is being alienated by both political parties. I feel that the American people are further to the right than either party is currently; we want liberty and less government. A majority of Americans are conservative and are awaiting Republicans or Democrats, most likely Republicans, to represent their interests again. It is my belief that the rise in registered Independents or unaffiliated voters is the result of both political parties shifting further left than the average American.