T.C. Morgan [letter Oct. 31] is doing exactly what he accuses others of: confusing different terms.
Like classical liberalism, socialism places great faith in reason and progress. Unlike liberalism, socialism has sought to eliminate the economic basis for inequality between social classes. Socialism places great emphasis on the value of equality.
Fascism systematically repudiates all the premises of liberalism, including rationalism. Fascism contemptuously rejects egalitarianism and glorifies inequality. Its aims are not defined in economic terms, but are driven by extreme nationalism (for Mussolini) or racism (for Hitler).
Yes, Hitler’s party was called the National Socialist Party of Germany, as Gary Walker [Valley Voices Oct. 24] had pointed out. But in June 1934, Hitler ordered a bloody purge of the Nazi Party, brutally eliminating Ernst Roehm and others in the SA who had some sympathy for quasi-socialist aims. Under Hitler, industry remained in the hands of private owners, because he sought to wage war and conduct genocide, not decrease class differences.
Mr. Morgan treats the terms “liberal,” “socialist” and “fascist” as identical, which is utterly false, but gives him an excuse to say that the viewpoint of anyone who disagrees with him is illegitimate. That is done too often in America today.
Alfred Evans
Professor emeritus
Department of Political Science
California State University, Fresno
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