Ideas Matter: ‘Relic or Spectre: what was Fascism?’

From the series ‘The use and abuse of history’, theme of the boi charity’s event The Academy, held online in April 2021.

The most common historical comparison in contemporary debates is to fascism. From the pro-trump riot at the Capitol to laws requiring the wearing of masks, every political event is compared to the fascism of Nazi Germany. Undoubtedly, and for good reason, the horrors of the early 20th Century loom large over the political imagination of the West. But by comparing every contemporary event to fascism, many are left unable to explain the real causes and consequences of contemporary debates. This episode places fascism in its historical context, and ask what, if anything, can be learnt from it today.

Lecture by Professor Aristotle Kallis, University of Keele

THE ACADEMY ONLINE II: THE USE AND ABUSE OF HISTORY
A half day online event via zoom that took place in April 2021. 

To view the full programme and some suggested background reading to the talks, please visit  https://theboi.co.uk/academyonline3  

ASSOCIATED READING

For this lecture you may wish to read:-

• ‘Fascist Ideology: Territory and Expansionism in Italy and Germany, 1922-1945’ by Aristotle Kallis https://tinyurl.com/32v73e9d
• ‘Fascism: What it is and how to fight it’ by Leon Trotsky (1944) https://tinyurl.com/x533ukzj

 

THE ACADEMY
In the context of today’s instrumental approaches to knowledge, The Academy summer school is a modest attempt to demonstrate the value of scholarship, and of the worth of the university as a place of free enquiry dedicated to the pursuit of truth.

DONATING TO THE BOI CHARITY
The BOI charity is committed to continuing to host discussion and debates throughout this period when society is restricted by measures to tackle coronavirus. In order to realise events such as the Academy Online, none of our staff are furloughed and instead remain working. If you can, then please consider a donation, small or large. Visit: https://theboi.co.uk/donate

IDEAS MATTER PODCAST
Ideas Matter is a podcast that takes the most important issues of our times and explores the ideas and intellectual trends that have shaped where we are today.

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