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samdalefox's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
3.0
Mason's 'How to stop Fascism' is optimistically split into three parts: History, Ideology, and Resitance. The first two parts of the book (History and Ideology) are long, make up the majority of the book, and to be honest, they're a bit of a slog. They are extremely well researched and sourced, and are an excellent in depth reccount of fascism's history and ideology. Honestly, although I think everyone could benefit from reading these sections, Mason doesn't make it easy to do so. He's repetitive at times, the language is not easy, and critically, assumes an existing knowledge of leftist literature. For example, unless you are specifically involved with leftist politics already, you probably won't understand the fundamental differences between a Communist and a Democratic Socialist.
For those that find the first two sections overwhelming, Mason gives an excellent summary in Part 3 'Resistance', in Chapters 7 and 8. I'd recommend reading from pages 190-223, these pages are actually useful and easy to read. He summarises Fascism's history and ideology, and more importantly (in my opinion) actively recognises opportunities for anti-facist resistance. In this slimmer section, Mason does identify some points in time where resistance is crucial, but his only solid recommendation of actual strategy is to form a modern day 'Popular Front', perhaps organised around a Green New Deal. This section is disappointingly sparse. I am beginning to understand the Left's criticisms of Mason. He does an awful lot of talking about the problems, and offers little to no discussion of solutions. Although self-identifying as a Marxist, his suggestion of a unified Popular Front necessarily involves concessions from Communists as his argument highlights that any successfully anti-fascist movement must engage the middle classes and liberals. I understand why this is unpalletable to the left, but I think he argues his point well.
I do recommend this book, but bear in mind the accessibility points made above. Mason does an excellent job of hitting home how and why Fascism is a force not to be underestimated. If nothing else, this should act as a call to action and solidarity.
For those that find the first two sections overwhelming, Mason gives an excellent summary in Part 3 'Resistance', in Chapters 7 and 8. I'd recommend reading from pages 190-223, these pages are actually useful and easy to read. He summarises Fascism's history and ideology, and more importantly (in my opinion) actively recognises opportunities for anti-facist resistance. In this slimmer section, Mason does identify some points in time where resistance is crucial, but his only solid recommendation of actual strategy is to form a modern day 'Popular Front', perhaps organised around a Green New Deal. This section is disappointingly sparse. I am beginning to understand the Left's criticisms of Mason. He does an awful lot of talking about the problems, and offers little to no discussion of solutions. Although self-identifying as a Marxist, his suggestion of a unified Popular Front necessarily involves concessions from Communists as his argument highlights that any successfully anti-fascist movement must engage the middle classes and liberals. I understand why this is unpalletable to the left, but I think he argues his point well.
I do recommend this book, but bear in mind the accessibility points made above. Mason does an excellent job of hitting home how and why Fascism is a force not to be underestimated. If nothing else, this should act as a call to action and solidarity.
Content Warnings
Minor: Genocide
erictlee's review
5.0
Journalist and author Paul Mason turns to the past to see what worked — and what didn’t work — in the fight against fascism in the twentieth century. He confronts head-on the staggering failure of the German Left (both the Social Democrats and the Stalinists) to block the Nazis, even though the Left had millions of supporters and their own armed detachments with many thousands of members.
He finds inspiration in the experience both of Spain and France in the 1930s when fascism was stopped — at least temporarily — by Popular Fronts uniting the Left with parties of the liberal centre.
Mason is quick to acknowledge the failures of the orthodox Marxists and seeks insights in some unusual places, including Hannah Arendt and Wilhelm Reich, whose masterpiece, The Mass Psychology of Fascism, deserves a wide readership.
I finished reading this book on a weekend when Italian fascists stormed a national union headquarters in Rome, so the timing could not have been better.
He finds inspiration in the experience both of Spain and France in the 1930s when fascism was stopped — at least temporarily — by Popular Fronts uniting the Left with parties of the liberal centre.
Mason is quick to acknowledge the failures of the orthodox Marxists and seeks insights in some unusual places, including Hannah Arendt and Wilhelm Reich, whose masterpiece, The Mass Psychology of Fascism, deserves a wide readership.
I finished reading this book on a weekend when Italian fascists stormed a national union headquarters in Rome, so the timing could not have been better.
sirchutney's review
Mason argues in great detail that the threat from 21st century fascism is not of a modern day beerhall putsch. It's far more insidious. The former journalist correctly identifies the fundamental problem. In fact, he defines it in excruciating detail. But frustratingly he offers little in the way of a workable solution. I gave in after about 2/3 of the book. It was frustrating to say the least. Several times it feels like he's building towards an answer, then it just fizzles out.
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