“Spectres of Fascism: Historical, Theoretical, and International Perspectives” - Book Launch and Panel Discussion

SPECTRE OF FASCISM FREE SCHOOLThis publication started as the Spectre of Fascism Free School, organized by Samir Gandesha and Stephen Collis and co-sponsored by the Institute for the Humanities and rabble.ca, at UNIT/PITT Projects (236 E. Pender St.) over a 9-month period in 2017.The Free School aimed to open a discussion on the question of the extent to which what we are witnessing today is a return to classic 20th century “fascism” or some species of what Enzo Traverso, author of amongst other books, The Origins of Nazi Violence, calls “post-fascism.” The first session looked at theories and histories of 20th century fascism and authoritarianism, and the second session looked to more contemporary 21st century examples. Both sessions explored the practical responses to the global spread of authoritarianism.BOOK DESCRIPTIONFrom the United States and Britain to Egypt, India, Turkey and Brazil, fascist ideology, aesthetics and personalities are on the rise. Spectres of Fascism offers a framework to help us understand whether what we are witnessing today is best understood as a return to classic twentieth-century “fascism,” or some species of what has been called “post-fascism.” Applying a uniquely global perspective, it combines analyses of historical contexts, theoretical approaches and contemporary geopolitics.