Mussolini's march on Rome; Hitler's speeches before waves of goose-stepping storm troopers; the horrors of the Holocaust; burning crosses and neo-Nazi skinhead hooligans. Few words are as evocative, and even fewer ideologies as pernicious, as fascism. And yet, the world continues to witness the success of political parties in countries such as Italy, France, Austria, Russia, and elsewhere resembling in various ways historical fascism. Why, despite its past, are people still attracted to fascism? Will it ever again be a major political force in the world? Where in the world is it most likely to erupt next?
In Fascism: Past, Present, and Future, renowned historian Walter Laqueur illuminates the fascist phenomenon, from the emergence of Hitler and Mussolini, to Vladimir Zhirinovsky and his cohorts, to fascism's not so distant future. Laqueur describes how fascism's early achievements--the rise of Germany and Italy as leading powers in Europe, a reputation for being concerned about the fate of common people, the creation of more leisure for workers--won many converts. But what successes early fascist parties can claim, Laqueur points out, are certainly overwhelmed by its disasters: Hitler may have built the Autobahnen, but he also launched the war that destroyed them. Nevertheless, despite the Axis defeat, fascism was not forgotten: Laqueur tellingly uncovers contemporary adaptations of fascist tactics and strategies in the French ultra-nationalist Le Pen, the rise of skinheads and right-wing extremism, and Holocaust denial. He shows how single issues--such as immigrants and, more
remarkably, the environment--have proven fruitful rallying points for neo-fascist protest movements. But he also reveals that European fascism has failed to attract broad and sustained support. Indeed, while skinhead bands like the "Klansman" and magazines such as "Zyklon B" grab headlines, fascism bereft of military force and war is at most fascism on the defense, promising to save Europe from an invasion of foreigners without offering a concrete future. Laqueur warns, however, that an increase in "clerical" fascism--such as the confluence of fascism and radical, Islamic fundamentalism--may come to dominate in parts of the Middle East and North Africa. The reason has little to do with religion: "Underneath the 'Holy Rage' is frustration and old-fashioned class struggle." Fascism was always a movement of protest and discontent, and there is in the contemporary world a great reservoir of protest. Among the likely candidates, Laqueur singles out certain parts of Eastern Europe and the
Third World.
In carefully plotting fascism's past, present, and future, Walter Laqueur offers a riveting, if sometimes disturbing, account of one of the twentieth century's most baneful political ideas, in a book that is both a masterly survey of the roots, the ideas, and the practices of fascism and an assessment of its prospects in the contemporary world.
Industry Reviews
"One of Mr. Laqueur's distinguishing characteristics as a historian is his readability, and this volume is no exception."--The Washington Times
"A wide-ranging study of the many faces of fascism, by one of America's foremost historians....The book is a welcome addition."--Kirkus Reviews
"Among the last of a remarkable generation of German Jewish intellectuals, Walter Laqueur has seen and survived much of this century's agitated history. He has also written cogently, even presciently, about it for more than 40 years."--The New York Times Book Review
"Aware of how widespread the misuse of the term 'fascism' is, the eminent historian Walter Laqueur has surveyed the European scene, both historically and as it exists today....Today there are many 'fascisms, ' as Mr. Laqueur points out--neo-fascists, skinheads, right-wing extremists, radical nationalist and populist movements, clerical fasciasm, radical Islam--all distinguishable from the historical fascism of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler....One of Mr. Laqueur's distinguishing characteristics as a historian is his readability, and this volume is no exception."--The Washington Times
"A concise and eminently readable study....Undoubtedly, Laqueur's most provocative contention is that there is a parallel between fascism and clerical fundamentalism....In Laqueur's insightful refracting of the past through the present, he...reminds us that we ignore history at our peril."--The Philadelphia Inquirer
"A penetrating study."--Booklist (starred review)
"What Laqueur does make very clear is that the crushing of 'historical fascism' in 1945 by no means removed the threat of antidemocratic, racist, xenophobic radicalism. Its ugly presence remains, often building on ancient foundations."--Library Journal
"Fascism is comprehensive, clear and contemporary. Walter Lazueur's book remeinds all of us...that the ugly weed of fascism is one that can take root where least expected."--Trenton Times
"A comprehensive and stimulating introduction to an important contemporary political phenomenon."--Political Science Quarterly
"[Laqueur] has been one of the most respected scholars of fascism for more than a generation....He is unquestionably well-equipped to write this wide ranging book....Laqueur has written to provoke thought and to highlight the next major wave of fascism that will not exactly mirror the content and form of earlier varieties. As such, it is a book that can be recommended highly."--The Historian "One of Mr. Laqueur's distinguishing characteristics as a historian is his readability, and this volume is no exception."--The Washington Times
"A wide-ranging study of the many faces of fascism, by one of America's foremost historians....The book is a welcome addition."--Kirkus Reviews
"Among the last of a remarkable generation of German Jewish intellectuals, Walter Laqueur has seen and survived much of this century's agitated history. He has also written cogently, even presciently, about it for more than 40 years."--The New York Times Book Review "One of Mr. Laqueur's distinguishing characteristics as a historian is his readability, and this volume is no exception."--The Washington Times
"A wide-ranging study of the many faces of fascism, by one of America's foremost historians....The book is a welcome addition."--Kirkus Reviews
"Among the last of a remarkable generation of German Jewish intellectuals, Walter Laqueur has seen and survived much of this century's agitated history. He has also written cogently, even presciently, about it for more than 40 years."--The New York Times Book Review "One of Mr. Laqueur's distinguishing characteristics as a historian is his readability, and this volume is no exception."--The Washington Times
"A wide-ranging study of the many faces of fascism, by one of America's foremost historians....The book is a welcome addition."--Kirkus Reviews
"Among the last of a remarkable generation of German Jewish intellectuals, Walter Laqueur has seen and survived much of this century's agitated history. He has also written cogently, even presciently, about it for more than 40 years."--The New York Times Book Review "One of Mr. Laqueur's distinguishing characteristics as a historian is his readability, and this volume is no exception."--The Washington Times
"A wide-ranging study of the many faces of fascism, by one of America's foremost historians....The book is a welcome addition."--Kirkus Reviews
"Among the last of a remarkable generation of German Jewish intellectuals, Walter Laqueur has seen and survived much of this century's agitated history. He has also written cogently, even presciently, about it for more than 40 years."--The New York Times Book Review
