Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, and Freedom

I covered this some time ago, but it has once again become worth doing. Most notably so because of the debate going on at Liberty's fine weblog. The debate centers around Hitler and why some (most notably on the left) like to refer to him as "right wing". I'm not going to go into that again here, partly because I posted on this already; and partly because I don't want to take anything away from the debate going on here over at Liberty's place.

why is it that even some historians call hitler right wing? Where does this idea come from? I am trying to untangle it. His party had "socialist" in the title. He was for "equality" in assets, government control over business... some say he allowed property rights in name, making him socialist not communist, some say even to the right of socialist (but still the left of US & UK).. but there are still those who say he is so far right as to be tyrannical, rather than left of us, but why?

Aren't these the domain of the left:
"And this policy manifesto:


9. All citizens of the State shall be equal as regards rights and duties.

10. The first duty of every citizen must be to work mentally or physically. The activities of the individual may not clash with the interests of the whole, but must proceed within the frame of the community and be for the general good.

Therefore we demand:

11. That all unearned income, and all income that does not arise from work, be abolished.

12. Since every war imposes on the people fearful sacrifices in life and property, all personal profit arising from the war must be regarded as a crime against the people. We therefore demand the total confiscation of all war profits whether in assets or material.

13. We demand the nationalization of businesses which have been organized into cartels.

14. We demand that all the profits from wholesale trade shall be shared out.

15. We demand extensive development of provision for old age.

16. We demand the creation and maintenance of a healthy middle-class, the immediate communalization of department stores which will be rented cheaply to small businessmen, and that preference shall be given to small businessmen for provision of supplies needed by the State, the provinces and municipalities.

17. We demand a land reform in accordance with our national requirements, and the enactment of a law to confiscate from the owners without compensation any land needed for the common purpose. The abolition of ground rents, and the prohibition of all speculation in land."

It's an interesting debate and one I look forward to joining in myself when I have time this week. Here are a few tidbits on the subject I've managed to pick up. This one involves communism and the 45 declared goals of the communist party in America. This page lists the Ten Planks of the Communist Manifesto. Now, the debate centers mostly around socialism; and though closely related, communism is by far more extreme than socialism. None the less, here's a diddy, (some of this is on Liberty's debate page) about the socialists' agenda. Here's another little something the socialists' wouldn't minde seeing in the near future. Hmmm, a one world order...wasn't that what Hitler wanted?

That's all for now from me. If you want more, go over to Liberty's debate forum and slosh in the mud for yourself a bit. I promise, once you try it, you're gonna like it;-)