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.


You can subscribe and listen to Ideas Matter on iTunes, Podbean,
Spotify or SoundCloud. For full details of all episodes, visit
the podcast page on our website


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