In my early college years, I was basically conservative in my political views. As a result, I got called a “fascist” or “fascist pig” on a lot of occasions. In one memorable moment, people who were blocking the entrance to MIT yelled “Fascist!” at me as I tried to get past them.

The term is still used as a general-purpose smear, with little regard for the actual meaning of Fascism. The history of this practice goes back a long way and has its roots in Marxism, especially the Soviet variety. Stalin said in 1924: “Fascism is the bourgeoisie’s fighting organisation that relies on the active support of Social-Democracy. Social-Democracy is objectively the moderate wing of fascism.” During World War II, the USSR often characterized its fight as one against “fascism,” even though its battles were with Germany’s Nazi government and not Italy’s Fascist government. ……
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