What are the similarities and differences between communism and facism?

Fascism is a governmental structure based on a strong
central government, typically a dictatorship and normally marked by strong nationalist
sentiments as well as racism. National Socialist Germany and Fascist Italy are classic
examples. The name fascism originated from the name of a Roman war
axe known as a fasces (it constituted a magistrate's symbol of
authority) that Mussolini adopted as the symbol of his party to appeal to Italian
nationalist sentiment. Mussolini's famous slogan typifies Fascist
thinking:

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Everything in the state, nothing outside the
state, nothing against the
state

Obviously, National
Socialist Germany is another prime example of fascism as there was a strong dictator and
strong nationalist sentiment based to a large extent on racism. Although Jews are not
considered a race by scientists, the National Socialists transformed them into a race.
(incidentally, the term "Nazi" was pejorative: they preferred to be called "national
socialists").

Communism is not based on a strong
governmental structure in its purest form; in fact Marx envisioned that government would
become superfluous and eventually wither away. Under true communism, all property is
owned collectively (there is no private ownership) and workers work for the good of
everyone in the society. It is based on worker solidarity which presumably would
transcend nationalist sentiments. This constitutes a strong difference between Fascism
and Communism, as the former is based on nationalist sentiments and the latter on worker
solidarity. The point is illustrated by comparing the German national anthem
(Deutschland uber alles) with the Communist anthem, the
Internationale.

Confusion often exists
in distinguishing between the two because Communism as an economic system does not work.
All Communist regimes have been totalitarian in nature. Thus, although Communist in
name, communist governments have strangely fascist elements.