1. Both ideologies are strongly goal-oriented, mainly to usurp political, cultural and economic power. Ideology, according to the French Philosopher Jacques Maritain, is a constructed system of ideas, which serves to usurp and justify political, social and economic power. It is basically a distortion of truth by absolutizing what is only partial truth.

2. Both will hide their real ultimate goals and start from what is apparently good and harmless. Fascism will propose to save the ancient culture and traditions. Marxism will raise slogans for a classless egalitarian society and global fraternity.

3. Both will focus on manufacture of public consent through systematically injecting misinformation and blatant lies through paid social media as well as all the media owned and operated by the government.

4. Both will attempt to manipulate the judiciary through the appointment of ‘ideologically loyal’ judges and through appeasement/reward; and if not pliable they will be threatened through vendetta and chastisement.

5. Both follow the axiom: “Goal justifies the means” and will be prepared to employ any unethical means to achieve the goal in mind. Fraternal persuasion and rational arguments will gradually give way to coercion and propaganda based on lies and manipulation of facts.

6. Both will try to use religion as carriers of their ideologies and even instigate hatred, conflicts and confrontation – through the manufacture of consent of the public.

7. Both will take pride in the discipline of their cadres and love to demonstrate their blind loyalty even at the cost of their lives. Martyrs are created, and unlike in the case of Christian Martyrs, they are used to inflame revenge and retaliation in the minds of the followers.

8. Both will be master manipulators of police force and para-military forces, once they come to power – through offer of favor or by instilling fear of consequences. Deceit and corruption, manipulation and murder are considered legitimate means for the creation of a society of their dreams. But they will lead to totalitarianism and despotism.

9. Both will lay greater emphasis on military strength – as prestige at home and threat to the neighbors - rather than dialogue, social cohesion and due respect for ‘the other’.

10. Both will not hesitate to use the military power and ‘intelligence service’ (espionage) against their own people, for the sole reason that they resist the ideology of the ruling class – Fascists and Marxists alike.

11. Both ideologies will manipulate the education system by manipulation of the texts (history) and curriculum and the appointments of top ‘tainted’ officials in charge of education.

12. Both will reward their frontline warriors and loyalists through visible benefits, as an attraction (temptation) for more people to join them.

Do you think that we have a choice to accept the one or the other?

Vivekananda, Tagore, Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar

on Fascism and Marxism.

Swamy Vivekananda didn’t really experience fascism, nevertheless, he was strongly critical of domination, suppression of freedom and blind obedience. With Marxists he shared the concern for the oppressed. However, he rejected their materialism, atheism and violent revolution to attain the goal.

Rabindranath Tagore on Fascism: He was a strong critic of fascism and aggressive nationalism, suppression of freedom, diversity and creativity; glorification of violence, discipline and blind obedience. Fascism is the betrayal of humanity’s spiritual unity.

He appreciated Marxism for its concern for the poor and the exploited and the deand for justice and equality. He criticised the economic determinism, denounced class hatred and violence, suppression of individual freedom.

Gandhiji denounced fascism as corrupt spirituality. He criticised Marxism for its rejection of spirituality and adherence to materialism and totalitarianism. However, he appreciated its concern for the oppressed and social justice.

Jawaharlal Nehru held that fascism thrived on violence, suppression of minorities and destruction of democracy. He considered it more urgent to defeat fascism even if it meant to wait for our independence from the British.

He could join the Marxist in their criticism of capitalism and imperialism. But he categorically rejected the violence of revolution and the authoritarianism of Lenin and Stalin. He was highly critical of the dictatorship of the proletariat and their outright rejection of religion and cultural as well as spiritual traditions.

B. R. Ambedkar opposed Fascism virulently for being anti-democratic and anti-humanitarian. He rejected its glorification of one leader, one race, one religion ideology.

He appreciated Marxism for its efforts to end the exploitation of the poor and oppressed and for their stand that socio-economic equality is the foundation of justice. However, he rejected violent class revolution and economic reductionism as well as the dictatorship of the proletariat. He chose the path of ‘ahimsa’ and ‘maitri’.

Mathew Paikada, Capuchin