Introduction to the Chart
This chart presents a comparative analysis of political ideologies across a spectrum that emphasizes government control versus individual liberties, highlighting the stark differences between various ideologies, from Communism and Fascism to Progressivism, Traditional Democrats (Partial Interventionists), and Constitutional Conservatives. The purpose of this chart is to clarify how these ideologies relate to key issues such as government power, economic control, free speech, corporate influence, and individual rights.
The terms "right" and "left", "conservative" and "liberal", are relative, changing based on the political context of each country and the nature of its government. In the U.S., conservatives are classic liberals who advocate for limited government, individual liberties, and the separation of powers, rooted in the principles of the Constitution. However, in China, conservatives are hardline communists who seek to preserve the centralized control of the Communist Party, emphasizing strict government oversight of the economy and society. In this system, liberals might push for economic reforms or political openness, but they still operate within an authoritarian framework.
Similarly, in the UK, conservatives support the monarchy and a welfare state, blending traditional institutions with government involvement in social services—positions that would seem left-leaning in the American context. In both examples, what counts as "conservative" or "liberal" is determined by the dominant political system and historical context of each country.
Fascism, traditionally viewed as right-wing in Europe due to its nationalism and social hierarchy, would be considered left-wing relative to the U.S. Constitution because of its authoritarianism, centralized control, and merging of state and corporate power. This demonstrates how these political labels are not universal but depend on the specific governance model of each society.
The chart is structured to guide the reader through various ideologies' stances on key issues, moving from totalitarian control on the left toward individual liberties on the right. Communism and Fascism represent ideologies on the left where government control is paramount, and individual freedoms are heavily restricted. Progressives follow closely, advocating for centralized government power to address social inequality and economic injustice, which places them ideologically nearer to Fascism than to Traditional Democrats or Conservatives. While not completely totalitarian (yet), Progressives emphasize state-corporate collaboration and government regulation, particularly over areas like speech and economic control. Traditional Democrats, or Partial Interventionists, occupy a middle ground, supporting government intervention in markets and society but within a framework of checks and balances. Finally, Constitutional Conservatives advocate for limited government and the protection of individual rights, rooted in the belief that human nature is flawed and prone to corruption, making government overreach a threat to liberty.
This chart serves to provide a clear framework for understanding how these ideologies differ in their views on government size, individual freedoms, and societal structure, using a perspective relative to the U.S. Constitution. The spectrum in this chart moves from individual liberty on the right to increased government power and centralization on the left. It underscores the modern alignment of Progressivism with aspects of Fascism, particularly in their preference for centralized control and state-corporate collaboration in advancing political goals, while contrasting them with Traditional Democrats and Constitutional Conservatives, who advocate for varying degrees of limited government and the protection of individual rights, as emphasized by the Constitution.
Political Ideologies (Chart):
A Comparative Spectrum of Government Control and Individual Freedoms.
| Category | Communism | Fascism | Progressivism | Liberal Partial Interventionist |
Constitutional Conservative "Classic Liberal" |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Power | Highly centralized government control, often authoritarian in nature. | Centralized government with authoritarian leadership, but allows private enterprise under strict state control. | Large-scale government intervention in the economy and social issues, increasing centralization. | Some government intervention to regulate markets and ensure welfare, but with limits. | Decentralized government, limiting federal power, strong emphasis on state rights and individual liberties. | |
| Constitutional Views | Rejects constitutional limits, promotes class-based revolution over legal frameworks. | Constitution is disregarded or manipulated to serve the authoritarian state. | Partial statism, Constitution is an outdated 'and irrelevant scrap of paper' written by dead white men.' Needs to be dismantled, radically restructured or even replaced. Want direct democracy without all the checks and balances. | Living Constitution, believes in the document as a flexible framework for modern society. | Strict constitutionalism, the Constitution is seen as a fixed and nearly immutable document. requires a supermajority in Congress ratified by three-fourths of the states to amend or change it | |
| Political Structure | Totalitarian, one-party state, suppressing opposition and dissent. | One-party state, authoritarian regime, nationalistic and militaristic. | Increasing concentration of power in the government, erosion of checks and balances. | Preserves checks and balances, generally supports rule of law and separation of powers. | Supports separation of powers, rule of law, and strong checks on government overreach. | |
| Economic Ideology | International Socialism—state ownership of all property and economic resources. | National Socialism—economic system where private property exists but is subservient to state goals. | Mixed economy—state plays a significant role in regulating markets, redistributive policies. | Market-based economy with moderate government intervention to address inequalities. | Free-market capitalism with minimal government intervention. | |
| Government's Money and Power | Government controls the entirety of resources and power, focusing on state supremacy. | Massive government control over resources, wealth directed toward the state's goals. | Significant allocation of resources to the government to redistribute wealth and resources. Favors centralizing power in the federal government | Moderate government intervention. Expanding government role, but still respects some limits on power. Balance between government intervention and free markets. | Emphasizes limiting government power and reducing taxes, allowing private enterprise to flourish. | |
| Means of Production Control | Complete state ownership and control of industry, no private property. | State controls private industry and works closely with corporations to enforce state goals. | State has considerable influence over corporations, especially through regulation (e.g., DEI policies). | Generally supports free markets but intervenes to address social needs and prevent abuses. | Supports a free market with minimal regulation of corporations. | |
| Free Speech | Strict limits on speech, with severe punishments for dissent or ideological opposition. | No free speech, dissent heavily punished; propaganda is widespread. | Prioritize narrative control. Support strict limits on certain types of speech (e.g., political narrative, hate speech, misinformation) In the rush to protect the public from perceived disinformation, progressives risk silencing truths that challenge their narrative, raising questions about the true cost of controlling free speech. | Emphasize First Amendment protections. Free speech, even when offensive, is essential for democracy and the open exchange of ideas.Unless it incites violence or breaks the law, should be protected. | Strong defender of free speech, opposes restrictions based on content, even for controversial views. | |
| Media Control | State owns and strictly controls the media to serve the regime's objectives. | State and corporations control media to enforce a unified message aligned with the state's goals. | Close relationship between media corporations and state, advocacy for policies aligned with progressive values. Media control to limit the free flow of information. | Media operates independently but with some alignment with social justice advocacy. | Strong belief in an independent media free from government or corporate control. | |
| Education Control | Complete state control over education, used as a tool for ideological indoctrination. | Centralized education system designed to indoctrinate loyalty to the regime and its ideology. | Centralized curriculum promoting progressive values, usually with limited dissenting viewpoints. | Moderate government control over education, advocating for reforms to promote equality. | Decentralized education, advocates for open debate about ideas, school choice and local control over curriculum. | |
| Corporate Control | Government owns all corporations and economic activity is directed toward state goals. | Corporations operate under state directives, enforcing the state's political and economic aims. | Regulates corporations heavily to enforce social and economic reforms. The beginning stages of corporatism. | Supports regulations to prevent abuses but maintains faith in free-market principles. | Believes in minimal government intervention in corporate affairs, allowing businesses to self-regulate. | |
| Judiciary | Courts used as instruments of state control, predetermined outcomes favoring the regime. | Judiciary serves the state, often facilitating purges of enemies or suppressing opposition. | Judiciary often used to advance social and political reforms via court rulings. Legislating from the bench. | Judiciary used to address inequalities but is still independent of political control. | Supports an independent judiciary, with judges interpreting the law as written, without political activism. | |
| Bureaucracy | Bureaucracy dominates all aspects of governance, highly centralized, inefficiency and corruption. | Bureaucracy is extensive, heavily involved in controlling all aspects of life under strict state direction. | Expanding administrative state, with increasing influence of unelected officials in shaping policy. | Growing bureaucracy, but with some efforts to maintain accountability and responsiveness. | Minimal bureaucracy, supports reducing the size and scope of government agencies. | |
| Ideological Conformity | Total ideological conformity, dissenters face severe punishment or death. | Strict ideological conformity, dissenting viewpoints are persecuted, state controls cultural norms. | Heavy emphasis on conformity to progressive values, with social consequences for dissent. | More ideological pluralism, but a focus on addressing systemic issues like race and gender inequality. | Supports a free market of ideas, with a focus on individual rights and limited government interference. | |
| View of Individual vs. Collective Rights | Collective rights prioritized over individual freedoms; individual interests subordinated to the state. | Collective rights dominate, individual freedoms are heavily restricted in favor of national interests. | Prioritizes collective rights based on identity groups, aiming to address systemic inequalities. | Balances individual rights with collective responsibilities, promoting a fair society. | Prioritizes individual rights, including property rights, over collective or group-based claims. | |
| Role of Religion | Religious suppression, religion seen as a threat to state ideology and unity. | Religion may be tolerated or co-opted, but is subservient to the state's nationalist goals. | Secularism dominates, religious values may be seen as obstacles to social progress. | Separation of church and state, religion respected but not central to policy. | Supports religious freedom and the role of religion in public life. | |
| Patriotism and National Identity | Promotes internationalism, aims to dissolve national borders in favor of global worker solidarity. | Ultra-nationalism, ethnic purity, and racial superiority are promoted as core values. National Socialism was state-centered and rooted in authoritarianism. Loyalty to the state, the Führer, and the ideals of the Nazi party | Skeptical of nationalism, favors globalism and transnational cooperation. Ultimate goal seems to be a world where national distinctions evaporate and where global citizenship in a concentrated global governance structure becomes reality. | Balanced patriotism, respect for national identity with an openness to international cooperation. | Strong national identity and patriotism, supports national sovereignty and limited global intervention. Rooted in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the principles of democratic republicanism, it affirms the founding principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government. That means a heavy distrust of concentrated government power. | .. |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement | Law enforcement is a tool of the state to maintain authoritarian rule, secret police and surveillance. | Law enforcement acts as an arm of the state to suppress opposition and maintain authoritarian rule. | Advocates for reform in criminal justice, seeking alternatives to policing and incarceration. Decriminalize shoplifting, drug possession, vandalism, etc. Promote more equity in giving sentences - statistical parity. Uses lawfare against political opponents. | Supports law enforcement but advocates for reforms to reduce systemic abuses. | Strong law enforcement, focuses on law and order, with accountability mechanisms in place. | |
| Gun Ownership and Self-Defense | Complete disarmament of citizens; all power rests with the state. | Citizens are disarmed, the state controls all military and police power. | Supports strict gun control to prevent violence and promote public safety. | Supports some gun control measures while recognizing the right to self-defense. | Strong support for gun ownership as a constitutional right and a means of self-defense. | |
| Immigration and Border Control | Borders are strictly controlled to prevent ideological contamination or defection. | Borders are strictly controlled, national identity is fiercely protected. | Favors open border policies for humanitarian purposes, but also with the near-term goal of gaining more votes and the ultimate goal of unified global governance. | Supports immigration reform, with pathways to citizenship and humanitarian aid. | Supports strict border control and enforcement of immigration laws and generous legal immigration. | |
| Environmental Policy | No focus on environmental policy, focus on rapid industrialization, resulting in ecological devastation. | Some emphasis on environmental preservation as part of national purity, but heavily tied to racial ideology. | Strong emphasis on environmentalism, government regulation for climate change mitigation. | Supports environmental policies with a balance between regulation and market solutions. | Skeptical of large-scale environmental regulation, favors market-based solutions. | |
| Class Division and Dehumanization | Divides society by class (bourgeoisie vs. proletariat), dehumanizes opponents as 'class enemies' or 'parasites.' | Dehumanizes based on race or political dissent, labeling opponents as 'vermin' or 'parasites.' | Dehumanizes ideological opponents as 'racists,' 'bigots,' or 'domestic threats,' marginalizing dissent. | Less focus on dehumanizing, but some rhetoric around economic elites or powerful corporations. | Avoids dehumanizing rhetoric, focusing instead on personal responsibility and limited government. | |
| Bill of Rights | Largely suppresses individual rights in favor of state control, viewing many constitutional freedoms as obstacles to the goals of the collective. | Would allow rights only if they serve the state, with individual freedoms curtailed to maintain order and national unity. | Nominally supports the Bill of Rights, but emphasizes the need for restrictions on most rights. | Balances individual rights with the collective good, supporting modern interpretations that allow for certain regulations. | Defends the Bill of Rights as essential protections of individual liberty, with minimal government interference in personal freedoms. | |
| Corporatism | Strongly opposes any collaboration between government and private corporations, as all industries should be state-owned, with no need for corporations to advance political ideology. Abolish private corporations; state directly furthers political ideology through state ownership of industry. | Supports using corporations to further the government’s nationalistic and ideological goals, expecting corporate alignment with state interests as part of the corporatist system. State-directed corporatism, where private corporations work closely with the government to achieve national goals. | Progressives support the government using corporations to advance political and ideological goals, such as promoting environmental sustainability, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Supports using government influence to ensure corporations advance social ideological goals. | Supports public-private partnerships to achieve policy objectives but maintains that government should play a moderating role to prevent corporations from wielding too much influence. Ultimate goal is to collaborate with corporations for public policy goals, ensuring government oversight and transparency. | Opposes using corporations to promote ideology or regulation but tolerates government collaboration if it promotes economic growth and free-market values. Its goal is to minimize government interference in corporate activities and prevent corporations from furthering political ideologies, focusing on economic freedom. | |
| Human Nature and Government Size | Human nature is malleable and corrupted by capitalism. With the right conditions, people can be altruistic and cooperative. A large government in the short term to redistribute wealth and abolish class, with the goal of no government once a classless society is achieved. | Human nature is inherently competitive, hierarchical, and prone to conflict. People need strong leadership to maintain order. A large, authoritarian government that controls all aspects of life to ensure national unity and strength. | Human nature is good but often corrupted by social injustice and inequality. People can thrive under social engineering and the right systems. A large government is necessary to address systemic injustices, regulate markets, and provide social safety nets. | Human nature is a mix of rationality and self-interest. People are generally good but need government to ensure fairness. A moderate-sized government to balance individual rights with the need for social protections and market regulation.. | Human nature is corrupted and imperfect and driven by self-interest. Skepticism of concentrated power leads conservatives to advocate for limited government giving rise to abuses of power, inefficiency, favoritism, and an infringment on individual liberties. A central conservative concern is that big government inevitably leads to tyranny. The way to guard against the dangers of big government is through limited government, strong constitutional checks and balances | |
| Utopia | In a communist utopia, there would ultimately be a classless society where private property and the state have been abolished. Believe human nature is malleable and that people are inherently cooperative and altruistic when freed from the corrupting influence of capitalism and class structures.. | In a fascist utopia, society is highly ordered, hierarchical, and nationalistic, with strong leadership needed to direct instincts toward serving the nation. Individuals submit to state authority, as only authoritarian control can overcome selfishness, individualism, and chaos in human nature. | The goal of In a progressive utopia, is a society where that would be equitable, inclusive, and based on social justice. An end to systemic inequalities related to race, gender, class, and sexual orientation. They believe human nature is good but often corrupted by outside influences such as unjust systems and social inequalities. The central government is the key to realizing full human potential. | In a utopia envisioned by classic liberal partial interventionists is that society would balance individual freedom with social safety nets with a regulated free market. Utopia is one in which government provides a framework for both individual liberty and social welfare.. | Human nature is flawed and self-interested, making government-led utopia impossible, and therefore, misguided. Instead, we should focus on a society that values freedom, self-reliance, and recognizes human limitations, with limited government as a safeguard against power abuses. |
Traditional conservatives hold deep skepticism toward concentrated government power, grounded in their view of human nature and the lessons history has taught about the potential for abuse of power. They reject utopian schemes, believing that human nature is inherently flawed and prone to self-interest, making any pursuit of a perfect society both unrealistic and dangerous. Conservatives argue that attempts to create a utopia often lead to over-centralized government power and authoritarianism, as such schemes require enforcing a singular vision that inevitably tramples on individual freedoms and ignores the complexities of human behavior. Historically, regimes that have sought to impose utopian ideals have resulted in tyranny and the suppression of dissent. Instead, conservatives advocate for pragmatic governance that respects human limitations, focusing on preserving individual liberty and promoting gradual, organic change within the framework of existing traditions and institutions.
This distrust of unchecked power is further reinforced by historical examples where concentrated authority—whether in monarchies, dictatorships, or unchecked democracies—led to the erosion of individual freedoms and the rise of authoritarianism. Traditional conservatives therefore argue for distributed power, believing that power divided among different branches and levels of government minimizes the risk of tyranny. Separation of powers is central to conservative thought, particularly within constitutional systems like that of the United States. Conservatives believe that dividing government power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with proper checks and balances, prevents any single branch or individual from accumulating too much authority, thus safeguarding individual liberty. Accountability through elections, rule of law, and transparency is also crucial, as without these safeguards, concentrated government power can become self-serving and oppressive.
In line with this, conservatives place great importance on limited government and adherence to constitutional principles. The U.S. Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, is seen as vital in limiting federal power and protecting personal freedoms from government overreach. Traditional conservatives argue that the government’s role should be limited to essential functions such as national defense, maintaining law and order, and protecting private property. When governments expand beyond these roles and assume more centralized control, they risk infringing on personal freedoms and economic autonomy.
Conservatives’ distrust of concentrated power is also informed by the historical precedents of government overreach. Totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and various Communist states illustrate how unchecked government authority can lead to suppression of dissent, violation of human rights, and the loss of individual freedoms. Even in democratic societies, periods of significant government expansion—such as the New Deal or recent expansions of the administrative state—are viewed by conservatives as encroachments on personal liberties and principles of federalism. This skepticism extends to large, top-down government programs, which conservatives believe often disrupt organic social orders and lead to unintended consequences. Instead, they favor gradual change and decentralized governance, arguing that society is too complex to be effectively managed from a single, centralized authority.
The term nationalism takes on different meanings in Fascist Germany versus the United States, despite both being labeled nationalist. The key distinction lies in how each system envisions the relationship between government and the people.
In Nazi Germany, nationalism was government-centered and intertwined with authoritarianism. The government under Hitler controlled nearly every aspect of life—from the economy to individual freedoms—under the ideology of racial purity and the state's power to enforce it. Loyalty to the state was paramount, with nationalism focusing on the expansion of state power to create a unified, racially pure society. Individual freedom was subordinated to the state, with totalitarian control ensuring the suppression of dissent and the enforcement of a homogeneous national identity.
In contrast, U.S. nationalism, particularly within conservative thought, emphasizes individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government. Rooted in the ideals of the American Revolution, U.S. nationalism affirms that government serves the people, not the other way around. The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and principles of federalism form the foundation of American identity, emphasizing freedom and skepticism of centralized power. American nationalism focuses on preserving individual rights, with limited government seen as essential for protecting these freedoms, rather than expanding state control.
The key differences between Fascist nationalism and U.S. nationalism highlight a fundamental contrast between collectivism and individualism. German nationalism under Fascism was collectivist, focusing on national unity at the expense of individual freedoms, while U.S. nationalism prioritizes individualism within the nation. In Germany, the state dictated national identity, whereas in the U.S., the sovereignty of the people is central. German nationalism was based on ethnic identity, whereas U.S. nationalism is framed around a civic identity rooted in shared values like liberty and justice.
A pure democracy without checks and balances can be just as dangerous as a totalitarian state, as demonstrated by Hitler’s rise to power through democratic means in Germany. While democracy is often viewed as the antidote to authoritarianism, unchecked majority rule can lead to the erosion of individual rights and the establishment of oppressive regimes, particularly when democratic institutions are weakened or exploited.
Hitler’s rise to power is a prime example of how democratic processes can be manipulated. After gaining power through elections, Hitler used democratic institutions to dismantle democracy itself, paving the way for a dictatorship. This demonstrates how unchecked democracy can be vulnerable to demagogues who exploit popular support to undermine the system. Furthermore, in a pure democracy, the majority can impose its will on the minority, leading to oppression. This concern, expressed by James Madison and the U.S. founders, led to the creation of a constitutional republic with checks and balances to protect individual rights from the dangers of majority tyranny.
Traditional conservatives’ distrust of concentrated government power is rooted in their belief in human nature’s susceptibility to corruption. By emphasizing limited government, separation of powers, and constitutional principles, conservatives seek to safeguard individual liberties and prevent the rise of tyranny, whether through authoritarianism or unchecked majority rule. Their focus on gradual, organic change and decentralized governance serves as a bulwark against the dangers of over-centralized authority.