A New Fascism Consensus?

A New Fascism Consensus?

In August, I will begin my new post as Professor in the Department of Humanities and International Relations at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Querétaro in Mexico (ITESM is the acronym in Spanish for Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey). As a political scientist with a specialisations in fascism, neo-fascism, terrorism, and the history of war and peace, I will teach international relations.

Here is a wonderful new academic article from a mentor, the Oxford Brookes University (England) historian of fascism Roger Griffin:

http://roger-griffin.blogspot.com/2009/07/conference-paper-new-new-consensus-on.html

Defining fascism is a monumental task. Griffin has not been shy in respect of this endeavour. His works have sought to highlight a "minimal" definition of fascism: A palingenetic (rebirth) form of populist ultra-nationalism. Other academics like Payne insist that fascism needs a more "maximalist" definition to encompass its negations (what it was against), ideological goals, and organizational framework.

A further question that preoccupies Griffin: Was fascism epochal (inter-war years)? Did it spread beyond Europe? And is fascim possible after the official defeats of the two main fascist regimes in history, Fascist Italy (1922-43) and Nazi Germany (1933-45)?

Questions to chew on...Griffin's paper will surely inform some of the debates with my students and colleagues in my new home at ITESM, Querétaro.

Tamir Bar-On