The Anatomy of Fascism

335 Pages·2004·1.29 MB·English

by  Robert O. Paxton

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also by robert o. paxton
French Peasant Fascism
Europe in the Twentieth Century
Vichy France: Old Guard and New Order, 1940–1944
Parades and Politics at Vichy
Vichy France and the Jews (with Michael R. Marrus)
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THE
ANATOMY OF
FASC I S M
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THE
ANATOMY OF
FAS C I S M
ROBERT O. PAXTON
Alfred A. Knopf New York 2004
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this is a borzoi book
published by alfred a. knopf
Copyright © 2004by Robert O. Paxton
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright
Conventions. Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf,
a division of Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in
Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. Distributed
by Random House, Inc., New York.
www.aaknopf.com
Knopf, Borzoi Books, and the colophon are registered trademarks of
Random House, Inc.
isbn: 1-4000-4094-9
lc: 2004100489
Manufactured in the United States of America
First Edition
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To Sarah
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c o n t e n t s
Preface xi
chapter 1 Introduction 3
The Invention of Fascism 3
Images of Fascism 9
Strategies 15
Where Do We Go from Here? 20
chapter 2 Creating Fascist Movements 24
The Immediate Background 28
Intellectual, Cultural, and Emotional Roots 32
Long-Term Preconditions 42
Precursors 44
Recruitment 49
Understanding Fascism by Its Origins 52
chapter 3 Taking Root 55
Successful Fascisms 55
(1) The Po Valley, Italy, 1920–22 58
(2) Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, 1928–33 64
An Unsuccessful Fascism: France, 1924–40 68
Some Other Unsuccessful Fascisms 73
Comparisons and Conclusions 76
vii
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Contents
chapter 4 Getting Power 87
Mussolini and the “March on Rome” 87
Hitler and the “Backstairs Conspiracy” 91
What Did Not Happen: Election, Coup d’Etat,
Solo Triumph 96
Forming Alliances 98
What Fascists Offered the Establishment 102
The Prefascist Crisis 105
Revolutions after Power: Germany and Italy 106
Comparisons and Alternatives 110
chapter 5 Exercising Power 119
The Nature of Fascist Rule: “Dual State”
and Dynamic Shapelessness 119
The Tug-of-War between Fascists and Conservatives 128
The Tug-of-War between Leader and Party 131
The Tug-of-War between Party and State 133
Accommodation, Enthusiasm, Terror 135
The Fascist “Revolution” 141
chapter 6 The Long Term: Radicalization or Entropy? 148
What Drives Radicalization? 153
Trying to Account for the Holocaust 158
Italian Radicalization: Internal Order, Ethiopia, Salò 164
Final Thoughts 169
chapter 7 Other Times, Other Places 172
Is Fascism Still Possible? 172
Western Europe since 1945 175
Post-Soviet Eastern Europe 188
Fascism Outside Europe 191
viii
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Contents
chapter 8 What Is Fascism? 206
Conflicting Interpretations 207
Boundaries 215
What Is Fascism? 218
Bibliographical Essay 221
Notes 251
Index 309
ix