[chopperman]

It’s easier for a Communist country to flip and become a Fascist one instead of a Democracy. This is what I think has happened in China and Russia.

[SAJ]

'Fascist', in the proper usage, describes a politico-economic system wherein the government effectively controls the means of production, but does not own them outright. There is still room for private property, and it is allowed -- even to some extent encouraged -- very much unlike in a Communist system.

These days it seems as if 'Fascist' is simply used as an epithet. Russia is becoming (has become?) an authoritarian state w/the trappings of a democratic one. It is not (yet) a Fascist state. Nor is it clear to me why Putin wants to move in this direction, although he certainly has been doing so. Cui bono? I can't see it.