Politics 101 
Communist, Socialist, Democrat, Center, Republican, Nationalist (aka Nazi), Fascist
While arguments to the contrary can be made, this is the way I have generally understood it. What is interesting, however, is that methods of governing, including "democracies", "republics", "dictatorships" et al can be dominated by any of the aforementioned political ideologies.
Communist, National Socialist, Fascist, Socialist, Democrat, Center, Republican, libertarian.
Increasing order of freedom and personal responsibility as one moves left to right. The list does not circle back.
Politics 101
Communist, Socialist, Democrat, Center, Republican, Nationalist (aka Nazi), Fascist”
jimmyray,
This is incorrect propaganda fostered by socialist, progressives and Presstitutes.
The actual rating from right to left pertains to the amount of government size and control. At the far right is no government(anarchy).
Then their is limited government such as we had under the articles of confederation(too limited for the time).
At the far-left are the various “isms” which are all about government control. Including Communism, Marxism, totalitarianism, Socialism, and National Socialism(Nazi). The Nazi's formed a sort of “partnership” with business and that was called fascism.
It is of little use to argue which one is further to the left, because they are all so far to the left of our Republic at it's founding that they are unacceptable to our ideals of individual freedom and responsibility.
While you could make some generalizations to the effect that Libertarians are usually to the right of Republicans, and Democrats are to the left of Republicans. Even that is not 100% true. For example we could say that Stupak is to the right of Romney on the issue of abortion etc. etc.
Each of the major parties are actually coalitions. The Republicans do have several common themes, and it appears to me the Democrats are a more disparate group, which includes some former communists and socialists.
In addition, the Democrats have been listing further and further left especially since FDR, and LBJ. As a result, Democrats such as Ronald Reagan(to name one) have deserted the party to become independents or Republicans.
Other Democrats such as Zell Miller remained with their party, even though he was disenchanted.
Anyway, just remember, the spectrum is from zero government control, to absolute government control.
The debate has always been how much government control should freedom loving people have. I say the time is overdue for a swing towards freedom, and downsizing of government.