Sociology of Fascism [Seminar]

In this seminar we examine the social and historical parameters that emerged and made Fascism the dominant political force during the interwar period, both in Germany and in Italy and elsewhere. The focus of the course will be both the socio-economic conditions that paved the way (centralization of production, uneven development, unemployment, etc.) for the dominance of fascist movements, as well as the ideological and political factors that favored this development (crisis of liberalism, economic crisis, etc.). However, the dynamics of fascist movements cannot be convincingly explained without examining their social base itself and the functions that they actually performed. Therefore, the investigation of the relationship between Fascism and social classes and primarily with the petty bourgeoisie and the rural strata with the background always the hegemony of finance capital, constitutes a sine qua non for the interpretation of the fascist phenomenon. By analyzing this relationship we will understand the plebeian base and the «anti-capitalist» rhetoric of Fascism, as well as the demand for national rebirth and the restoration of the «People’s Community» (Völkische Gemeinschaft). Through the anatomy of the fascist phenomenon, which will be largely based on the comparative approach of Fascism, the methodological differentiation between Fascism, the far right and authoritarian regimes will be attempted, as well as the genealogical relationship between pre-fascist, fascist and post(neo)fascist formations.