Its supporters often describe it as a paradise, where each person does what they can and gets what they need. Efficiency is not the consciously stated goal, but it is the "natural state of being" theorized by Communists. In reality, the two types of government are only one step removed from each other; Communism requires just as much control over individuals as Fascism. The essential difference is that in the ideal form of Communism there is no government at all, but instead the people all work together by communal agreement, whereas in Fascism the government remains in complete control, if only (ostensibly) at the interests of the people. Also, Communism requires even distribution of wealth and work based on need and ability, while fascism can allow for a much more stratified society, with each individual's place rigidly defined and enforced. Though Fascism and Communism are extreme forms of modern government, some of the basics of their design and motives can be seen in the two major political parties of the United States, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Like the two forms of government discussed above, these parties are not really as dissimilar as many believe. Other parallels, however, can be used to identify the Democratic Party more closely with Communism, and the Republican Party with Fascims. For instance, according to the Democratic Party's 2008 platform "Renewing America's Promise," their listed goals include providing/ensuring health coverage for all U.S. citizens, reclaiming civil liberties,...

These are all attempts to create a more egalitarian society through forced redistribution (via taxation and government spending of) wealth. Republicans can be considered more fascist because, though they are more opposed to taxation in general, they also attempt to control more of the private lives of citizens through things like banning gay marriages and allowing for broader "security" measures (Republican National Committee).
Both of these arties tend towards, on their extreme fringes, the totalitarian types of government exemplified by Communism and Fascism. In American society, however, these two extremes tend towards a far more moderate middle ground. Because the United States is a democracy (the worst form of government except for all the rest), the extremes of society end up in a tug of war that doesn't let either side gain too much ground for long. This keeps the government focused more on what the people want, and less on how to achieve their own ends.

Works Cited

Democratic National Convention Committee. "The 2008 Democratic National Platform: Renewing America's Promise." 2008. Accessed 12 July 2009. http://www.democrats.org/a/party/platform.html

Furet, Francois and Furet, Deborah Kan The Passing of an Illusion. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1995.

Republican National Committee. "2008 Republican Platform." 2008. Accessed 12 July 2009. http://platform.gop.com/2008Platform.pdf