A great explanation via Ann Landers, without a full blown history lesson: Socialism: You have two cows.  Give one to your neighbor. Communism: You have two cows.  Give both cows to the government, and they may give you some of the milk. Fascism: You have two cows.  You give all the milk to the government, and the government sells it. Nazism: You have two cows.  The government shoots you, and takes both cows. Anarchism: You have two cows.  Keep both of the cows, shoot the government agent and steal another cow. Capitalism: