@That1GuyGAMER18
“Communist” is a dangerous word.
If you ask someone to define communism, and then give their definition to the next one, they’ll tell you’re stupid and wrong and don’t know what communism is. This is exaggerated if you ask about “socialism” instead, as that tends to be a far wider category.
Ideologically, a communist society has no coherent central state. In contrast, fascism is defined by a very powerful central government that strictly controls everything in society, censors or forcibly destroys opposition, and is never accountable for anything. Chrysalis is a pretty decent example of a fascist ruler, as she is not only ruthless and wrathful to “traitors”, but changelings naturally have a caste system.
You might notice that, under these definitions, communism and fascism are not only non-synonymous but antipodal. The problem is that we mistakenly take corrupt nations at face value when they call themselves things they aren’t. Thus, fascist nations can call themselves “communist” (or, more recently, “republic”) and we stupidly allow them to redefine the word rather than call them on their bullshit.
Of course, “capitalist” nations like the US are run by people who have everything to lose if any form of “socialism” makes it state-side, since it generally abolishes social class / elitism and the ability to form monopolies, so they have successfully vilified “dem dirty commies” in the eyes of Westerners.
Another aspect common in fascism, though not strictly required, is a cult of personality. A fascist state tends to have a dictatorial head of state, and this head of state is glorified constantly in propaganda littered all over society. Criticism or parody of the head of state is generally not permitted.
Starlight’s village was more or less a fascist establishment. The most effective way to strip a pony’s identity and free will is to take their cutie mark, and Starlight appeared to quite strictly control the day-to-day goings-on of the village. Of course, the village centering around her may have been a semi-cult of personality, though the village was small enough and her control absolute enough that she didn’t really need a campaign.
Starlight’s antagonistic persona is defined by “the ends justify the means”, a highly fascism-compatible mantra which is not only the principle of her behavior
even as a protagonist, but is arguably the reason she reforms.
