Back in the 60s, my junior high social studies teacher, Mr. Steiner, told our class that the Left (Communist) to Right (Fascist) political spectrum could be more accurately described by a circle rather than a line. The end results of the policies of the two extremes tended to share some characteristics.
I think we were told the line theory so that we would believe the middle is the place to be. That is, agreeing to accept a little socialism is good. Now I like to think of it as the right is freedom and the left is subjugation, no matter what name it goes by. Fascism and Communism are BOTH Progressive and thereby bad.