I wonder if the use of the word "fascist" to describe Hitler -- comparing him to Mussolini -- during the 1920s or early 1930s helped delay his resistible rise. The best I can think of is that it was part of a cultural glue that helped hold the CPD or the SPD together (as individual parties, not as a coalition of parties), part of a common language. Any positive effect was likely undermined by the use of the phrase "social fascist" by the CPD to describe the SPD (and by similar terms being used by the latter to insult the former) because it undermined possible anti-Nazi coalitions.
It's better to use more concrete (specific) terms, as Chip does. BTW, a decade from now the word "Bushism" will likely have connotations as bad if not worse than the term "fascism" has now. And we on lbo-talk will be arguing about whether it's right to call President Hillary's program "Bushist." -- Jim Devine Bust Big Brother Bush!
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