Now more than ever, authoritarianism, bigotry, misogyny and social tyranny seem to be in the forefront of our political reality. Not just in the United States, but in most of the world, specters that once seemed (erroneously) to be buried have arisen zombie-like from the underworld. Social and financial insecurity, climate challenges and a loss of social cohesion regarding what constitutes facts have contributed to a world-wide feeling of hopelessness that is well mined and stirred up by global reactionary forces. The future seems to be a dystopia; it is reflected in current literary and film productions.
So where does the fascist project fit in this current political climate? What is the relationship between the classic fascism of the first part of the 20th century and right-wing populism, authoritarianism, post-fascism and neo-fascism? What does it all mean? Can it happen here? What is “it” anyway?
How do bigotry, misogyny and climate denialism contribute to the political solutions advanced by the right? How does capitalism fit in this matrix? What do progressive forces offer as solutions to our dilemma? How do we project hope when so many seem to be bogged down in cynicism and hopelessness?
Links to written presentations:
Gregory Diamant, 21st Century Fascism & Its Antecedents
Daniel Neuspiel, Recent European Trends and the Rise of Fascism
Arturo Yarish, Background Materials on Fascism & Outline of Talk