What is Fascism and Where does it Come From?

Abstract

Abstract How might histories of fascism in interwar Europe help us today? Languages of ‘fascism’ are now constantly in play – as warning and slogan; as emotional rallying-point; as rhetorics of recognition and abuse; as a boundary of legitimate politics – but rarely as carefully informed argument. For effective politics, we need historically grounded analysis that can avert tendentious and direct linkages that may be emotionally satisfying, but stop short of showing how fascism builds its appeal. What makes it seem a desirable ‘extra-systemic’ solution, as an alternative to the practices of democratic constitutionalism? What kind of crisis brings fascism onto the agenda?