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ahundredosnxs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
yahyaelkinani's review against another edition
5.0
Anyone who is interested in developing a fundamental strong understanding of fascism should read this book. Paxton starts by explaining how fascists movement were able to gain their roots and develop 50 years before the first fascists took power. He delves into the background of the most prominent fascist movements and their way to power and which vacuums there were in their societies which led to their ultimate take over. He tells the intricate policies of the fascists and how they are different from the tradition right of the political spectrum. Paxton continues to elaborate on fascist movements and their ideas of radical revolution and that means and how they indeed revolutionised in some aspects. He then goes to talk about possible fascisms since 1945 until 2000 and explains if there are possible patterns of return of fascism or a new form of fascism. Finally in the last chapter Paxton delves into what fascism is, he explains what he believes fascism is through the journey he took the reader through in the book.
After reading this book, the understanding of what fascism is has advanced into a different proportion. I would recommend anyone interested in knowing what fascism is to read this book.
After reading this book, the understanding of what fascism is has advanced into a different proportion. I would recommend anyone interested in knowing what fascism is to read this book.
krishnu's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably the best book out there on Fascism. The Author's Bibliography touches all major works from the last generation and tries to create a nearly impossible comprehensive picture of Fascism. The concept isn't easy to grasp through definitions because definitions are static, and fascism is a movement and inherently dynamic.
The Biggest take away for me from this book is that Fascism is never a monolithic group of people. I blame popular media for putting up the image of people marching in uniforms. Fascism isn't a comprehensive ideology, as much as a cultural leaning, which infests and grows through the cracks and failings in the implementation and maitenance of liberal democratic principles.
The usual direction taken by Fascists is to exaggerate and point to the failings in Liberal Democracy as applied in mass politics, and use sentiments, mostly rage and hate to fuel a populist uprising. In a sense I feel that it would be more accurate to call Fascism as Political Integrism. Because there is no ideology at the center of fascism, there are lies, which turn and tumble. Because it has to, for its purpose is to recruit more people under it.
EDIT: I picked up more books related to the topic after reading this book and let me say, almost everybody cites Robert Paxton. Don't NOT-READ it!
The Biggest take away for me from this book is that Fascism is never a monolithic group of people. I blame popular media for putting up the image of people marching in uniforms. Fascism isn't a comprehensive ideology, as much as a cultural leaning, which infests and grows through the cracks and failings in the implementation and maitenance of liberal democratic principles.
The usual direction taken by Fascists is to exaggerate and point to the failings in Liberal Democracy as applied in mass politics, and use sentiments, mostly rage and hate to fuel a populist uprising. In a sense I feel that it would be more accurate to call Fascism as Political Integrism. Because there is no ideology at the center of fascism, there are lies, which turn and tumble. Because it has to, for its purpose is to recruit more people under it.
EDIT: I picked up more books related to the topic after reading this book and let me say, almost everybody cites Robert Paxton. Don't NOT-READ it!
bclev's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. If you pay attention you will see many parallels in areas of our world and history. I recommend to everyone that has an interest in political theory or how power is attained and held.