Mordern liberalism is driven by fascism for at the very heart of the two the essence is the same.
The fascism of Hitler in some respects has much in common with todays radical left and neither can produce anything but destruction and death (Nazism doing so with direct intentions to achieve their goals, but often as a by-product of liberalism along the way to theirs) for at their common core is the arrogant mind-set of "superiority" and elitism that makes them both alike with the exception of what their ambitions look like and how they purpose to carry them out.
There are millions of people who have, and millions more who will suffer or die because of fascism, be it in under socialism, or communism, or pseudo-capitalism, for fascism can dwell within all of these societies.
Fascism is based on elitism and previously appeared most often with emphasis placed on nationalism and physical elements such as genetics and race. The fascism of modern liberalism is different in that it removes the boundaries of nationalism in favor of internationalism. The adversary then becomes not other nations or races who are considered inferior, but those that oppose the idea of an world government run by elitist who establish international law superceding those of the individual nations or states. The strong nationalism which was in past times used to drive fascism is replaced with internationalism. Superiority is no longer determined based upon race or nationality but upon conforming to a very specific liberal ideology so that those holding liberal ideology then become the "master race".
This liberal ideology in actuality is ideofascism and applies a Darwinistic approach to the mind. It is based on the illusion that by purging out "inferior" beliefs in society, and then replacing them with those which they judge to be superior, they will bring the whole world into a new and more perfect age.
For decades there has been great effort put forth by these elitist to hammer public mentality into form by labeling it main stream while demonizing everyone that was nonconforming. Hitler's quest for supremacy through the perfection of genetics has been replaced by others, who holding a different vision of the same dream, seek to impose upon all mankind by law what they believe to be an intellectual supremacy.
Egocentric elitism spawned Nazism, but it can no longer thrive in that past form which was made naked and therefore has mutated like a virus mutates to conceal itself in order to survive and spread. Although it has morphed offering a new idealistic vision for the world , it still runs parallel with occurrences during the reign of Hitler, albeit in a much softer form.
Liberal fascism is an effeminate fascism which has morphed by forsaking its masculinity to become a seemingly nonviolent movement that prefers seduction over brute force and is thus more marketable to the modern world than the fascism of yesterday which was segregated and held limited appeal.
It is a fascism with narcissistic appeal, universally adaptable to all people who will submit and therefore more dangerous than any fascism before it as it will find fewer opponents, and is already accepted by millions world wide. The "Final Solution" will be the attempt to legislate the conscience of man to conform to this neo-fascism. Nonconformist will be deemed intolerant and will not be tolerated.
Unlike the Nazis, Liberazis will not be centralized destroying only certain nations, but having an international presence they have the potential to bring humanity into bondage and destroy the world.
Don't forget that the Founders & Adam Smith, and other champions of liberty, WERE liberals, of the classical variety.
Leftists, like today's Dems, are as illiberal as the day is long. The progressive era basically stole the name to hide their anything but liberal agenda of the oppressive state for their own benefits.
Just to set the record straight - the founders, Adama Smith, Say, Bastiat, Mises, Hayek, were all classical liberals of limited Govt, liberty and free markets, OR just enough State to protect our rights and nothing more.
The LEFT hijacked the word liberal for itself as a deception. For they promote the State at the expense of the masses. And as you say it is the elites of any stripe that are best able to lobby Govt for their own profit. Both parties are guilty of this, just that one is MORE guilty.
No matter the particular flavor, Collectivism is the enemy of freedom, and always will be, for history shows it serves as the best tool manipulating statists have concentrated their powers with.
Back to liberals: "modern" liberals are leftists - classical liberals are closest to the founders of any factions existing today.