Yes, my definition of left vs right is purely bigger government vs smaller government.

But I've just read another definition which is equality of decision making (left) vs hierarchical decision making (right).

How are you defining left vs right?

I think we are agreeing.

Left wing ideas are not fascist, but people with left wing beliefs can also hold fascist ideas (e.g. Mussolini).

It is a mistake to assume that only the right can be fascist.

Intellectual property rights are a government sanctioned monopoly over certain ideas.

But I totally agree that IP is not something that the monopolies and mergers commission will investigate.

As I said, technically a monopoly.

Fox + ABC is pretty big, but I don't see Disney being the same as a Google or Microsoft monopoly.

If they pay out then the floodgates will open and everyone will trying to die from food allergies in their parks.

/s

Technically they have a monopoly on all their intellectual property (characters, star wars, marvel, pixar etc.)

We are agreeing that fascism is much more strongly associated with the authoritarian/liberal axis than the left/right axis.

Certain Governments may be right of the Democrats but, in comparison to European (and international) parties, the Democrats are right of centre.

An excellent essay. And we agree that the simple left/right categorisation is woefully inadequate.

Ok. I'll be more precise. Fascism is authoritarian, but not all authoritarians are fascist.

Mussolini was fascist, but held left wing beliefs like welfare and relief for the poor and government intervention and ownership.

Both the left and right can be fascist.

I find it helpful to consider authoritarian/libertarian on a different axis to small government/big government.

In international terms, even the Democrats are right of center.