Nithya Raman accused LA mayoral rival Spencer Pratt of “fascism” this week during an interview with left-wing podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen.

She called the Pacific Palisades fire victim a “mini-Trump,” saying that if he won the election for mayor, it would be because people had turned to fascism in despair.

Really?

Is it “fascism” to want the fire department to be able to put out a fire?

Is it “fascism” to want homeless encampments cleared from our streets?

Is it “fascism” to want tax credits to save Hollywood from destruction?

If so, then Raman is also calling most Angelenos fascists.

The term “fascism” is thrown around a lot on the left. Calling someone a “fascist” is a way of marginalizing them and shaming anyone who supports them. 

But fascism actually means something specific. It is a rigid system in which society is controlled from the top down by the government, usually in the form of one political party, a social elite, or a powerful leader.

Fascism leaves traditional institutions in place — churches, for example, and private companies — but also forces them to obey the central government.

In addition, fascism is hierarchical. Under fascism, some people rule, and others are ruled, often because of race or nationality. That is why fascism is historically associated with bigotry and persecution.

There is nothing remotely resembling fascism in the American political system today. If someone were to propose it, no one would support it, except for a lunatic fringe.

The only political movement that has something in common with fascism is socialism. Both are collectivist movements, which place the state and society above the individual.

Socialism — which Raman should know, as a socialist herself — is a system in which the government controls the means of production. 

It is a softer version of communism, which aims to overthrow the capitalist system through violent revolution. Socialism claims to be peaceful. But both socialism and communism both aim to redistribute the property of the wealthy — even if they earned it freely and fairly — to those who have less.

It is accurate to call Raman a socialist. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

It is not accurate to call Pratt a fascist. In fact, it is defamatory.

Instead of labeling and name-calling, Raman should try offering solutions to the problems that LA faces.

Perhaps she’d be doing better in the polls, if she did.