Fascism versus Capitalism

by Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr.

Fascism vs. Capitalism: The Central Ideological Conflict of Our Times

“Fascism” has become a term of general derision and rebuke. It is tossed casually in the direction of anything a critic happens to dislike.

But fascism is a real political and economic concept, not a stick with which to beat opponents arbitrarily. The abuse of this important word undermines its
true value as a term referring to a very real phenomenon, and one whose spirit lives on even now.

Fascism is a specific ideology based on the idea that the state is the ideal organization for realizing a society’s and an individual’s potential
economically, socially, and even spiritually.

The state, for the fascist, is the instrument by which the people’s common destiny is realized, and in which the potential for greatness is to be found.
Individual rights, and the individual himself, are strictly subordinate to the state’s great and glorious goals for the nation. In foreign affairs, the
fascist attitude is reflected in a belligerent chauvinism, a contempt for other peoples, and a society-wide reverence for soldiers and the martial virtues.

Lew Rockwell, in this new volume, examines the starkly contrasting systems of capitalism and fascism, noting pro-fascist trends in recent decades as well
as the larger historical trends in the United States and internationally.

In Section One, Rockwell focuses on the nature of fascism and its influence in Western society, with a focus on American political and economic
institutions.

In Section Two, Rockwell examines capitalism as the enemy of, and antidote to fascism.

Combining economics, history, and political philosophy, this book doesn’t just provide a diagnosis of what ails American and Western society, but also
sheds light on how we might repair the damage that has been done, and with the help of the intellectual work of great minds like Murray Rothbard and Ron
Paul, we might as a society shed the fascism of our times and look to freedom instead.

Genres: Politics, Economics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, History

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr., former editorial assistant to Ludwig von Mises and congressional chief of staff to Ron Paul, is founder and chairman of the Mises Institute, executor for the estate of Murray N. Rothbard, and editor of LewRockwell.com.

[source: lewrockwell.com]

Reviews

[Daniel Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rockwell's writings on fascism are priceless, but the second half of the book ("Capitalism and It's Heroes), although decent, just didn't seem to fit with the first half - it was like two separate books.

[Zachary Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new collection of essays by Lew Rockwell--easy and quick to read and packed with useful information. The most provocative bits of the book are in the first section which discusses the theme of understanding much modern practice of government as "fascistic" in the way the term was originally developed by Mussolini. The second half of the book is a little less relevant to the stated, consisting mostly of a group of essays devoted to praising figures such as Murray Rothbard, Ludwig von Mises and Ron Paul.

[Brook Bailey-armey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can overlook the borderline religious fervor with which Rockwell lauds the perceived moral superiority of Mise, Rothbard, Hazlitt and Ron Paul, you can learn a great deal from the book. Though by no means an unbiased account of these men's theories and view points, Rockwell does provide a detailed explanation of their reasonings. Anyone compelled by the argument that there is no real discussion or debate in American politics today should read this book and then start a real discussion of their own.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Rockwell shows briefly that the current American economic system cannot be called "capitalism," nor can its failures be attributed to the free market. At best, we have a fascistic economic system.

[Marcas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lively and engaging read. Rockwell rails against the soft tyranny that we're only too familiar with today in the modern west. Even when he's hyperbolic on the offensive, he's pleasantly impassioned about things that he should be passionate about and does give the devil his due. More disconcertingly for me was his hero worship of Rothbard and Mises. Even though, it's their fearless character of principle that he waxes on about, it all seems too much and is something we should perhaps be more skeptical about. They will have made their own intellectual and personal mistakes, no doubt, and haven't uncovered all truth vis a vis man and money, people and property or articuated all this in some extravagant manner that has exhausted it. I'm sure he knows this but should have demonstrated this in the book.

In broad strokes, Fascism vs Capitalism is cheerfully helpful for understanding the Libertarian worldview and it's superiority over common statist assumptions.
The title is a bit off but the book frequently hits the spot and even if and when modern goverments aren't literally fascist, they do share enough genetic materials and character traits for us to declare without doubt that they are close kin. Lew unveils these similarities convincingly.

In this work, he writes impressively about the idolatry of the state. An idolatry which would lend itself to conscription, perpetual warfare abroad, an increase in demonstrably failing government systems and coercion even to the point of violence.

Rockwell provides concrete examples to highlight his points and rightfully attacks Obama alongside the unjustly fawning response to this false prophet. One among many.

More affirmatively, he juxtaposes his passionate criticisms with a thoroughly positive view of freedom. A simple, but correct, one which roots itself sturdily deeper than Adam Smith, John Locke or other modern thinkers.
He incorporates a respectful, but not uncritical, homage to earlier economic thinkers; especially the Catholic scholastics. This works effectively because he doesn't overstate the case in a cherry-picking manner but sees some relevant advancements in the cause for liberty since then and some disappointing digressions. He proffers pertinent examples of both.
His respectful recognition that all truth is to be integrated takes the best of St Thomas and the Thomists and places his distinctly Christian Libertarianism in a strong position. This brand of Libertarian Phiosophy has a welcome place at the Christian table.

For a fuller treatment of the issues and themes adressed in this book, see Gerard Casey's magisterial 'Freedom's Progress?', Christopher Lasch's 'True and Only Heaven', George Gilder's work- particularly 'Men and Marriage' and 'Wealth and Poverty' as well as the work of Tom Sowell and/or even the eclectic Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

[Meagan Davison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lol no.

Its typical ancap propaganda. If you're looking for a serious book on the study of the schools of economic thought this is not that.

[Sacha Valero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lew Rockwell uses just 162 pages to demolish the idea that we need the State. Covering every important aspect of the State that its apologists insist make it necessary for us to submit. That submission comes under threat of force and backed up by a history of unleashing violence to enforce that threat.3

Lew tackles the Warfare State, the drug war, the assault on our liberties, how the bankers have waged war on the taxpayers, and how America really is a fascist system. His chapter on war dismantles the neocon propaganda that the various wars and military engagements since the end of World War 2 have resulted in the liberation of the oppressed, replaced by freedom and democracy.

Lew Rockwell notes that because of technology, never before have we had access to so much information, yet American’s remain blind (by choice?) to the horrors perpetrated in their names.

Although he dedicates a chapter to “The Assault On Our Liberties”, this entire book is an interwoven testament to how the existing system dismantles the Bill of Rights. From the police state that has arisen with frightful speed since 9/11, to the government essentially claiming ownership of our bodies with the War on Drugs, and condemning America’s progeny to a life of debt slavery through massive money printing.

In the end, Rockwell disassembles the Minarchist idea of a limited government and explains how a free-market anarchist system would work. I’m not naïve and I certainly don’t believe in utopia. It’s a world unlikely to exist anytime soon if for no other reason than the violence the current system can bring to bear to cling onto power they’ve carved out for themselves. Nonetheless, this book should be read by anyone who even questions the status quo.

[Mark Geise · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Fascism Versus Capitalism” is the first book by Lew Rockwell I have ever read, though it is more a collection of speeches and essays than a unified book. I have listened to Rockwell on various libertarian podcasts and read his website occasionally, but I still haven’t gotten around to reading “The Left, the Right, and the State” or any of his other books.

The title of this book is somewhat misleading; he certainly extols capitalism, but far more of this book is about the virtues of Ron Paul, Murray Rothbard, Henry Hazlitt, and Ludwig von Mises. Rather than “Fascism Versus Capitalism,” Rockwell should have chosen a title like “Principled Against All Adversity” or something along those lines. He focuses much more on the principled stands of these figures versus the establishment and fashionable opinion than on the many differences between fascism and capitalism.

I agree with Rockwell’s positions and I enjoyed learning more about some of the most important figures in modern libertarianism, but I expected far more discussion of fascism versus capitalism. If that’s what you expect, this book is not for you. If you want to learn more about Ron Paul, Murray Rothbard, Henry Hazlitt, and Ludwig von Mises, this is a good quick read.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I bought this book, there was no indication that it was just a compilation of past written works and speeches. I was expecting some original material; however, it was more similar to something like Democracy: The God That Failed by Hoppe where it is just recycled material put together. Nevertheless, the substance does give a good detailed overview of fascism vs. capitalism. I would recommend it to anyone that isn't all that familiar with the topic. As someone who reads LRC and other liberty-minded websites all the time, a lot of the chapters didn't really add a lot to my knowledge. Lew's a great beacon of liberty; just understand that this is not new material before you decide to purchase.

[Bharath · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading this book but I don't know why it is titled Fascism Vs Capitalism. It must have been titled something like Fascism and Great Austrian Economists. The book starts out well in comparing Fascism to laissez-faire capitalism, but in the middle the author Starts comparing Austrian economists such as Ludwig Von Mises and Murray Rothbard to Keynesian economists. The title is the only thing that I do not agree with. Otherwise if you want to read about Austrian economists then it is a great read.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a collection of Rockwell's essays on Fascism and famous Austrian economists. Nothing special unfortunately.

[Geir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspireing but a bit lengthy and repeative on some points.