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AnarchoNinaWrites

Ok, same story - I need this quote for an article so I'm going to post it here and then include some info about the book in question:

Today's quote comes to us today from historian Robert O. Paxton and, what is in my opinion his most influential work "The Anatomy of Fascism"

goodreads.com/book/show/188378

GoodreadsThe Anatomy of FascismWhat is fascism? Many authors have proposed definitions…

I would post a review of Paxton's exceptional book here but since it came out in 2004 and none of these people have apparently ever read Ur-Fascism by Umberto Eco, it was roundly panned and derided as "ignoring ideology" by mainstream, objectively conservative critics.

These people are idiots and you can just read the whole book here for yourself:

libcom.org/files/Robert%20O.%2

Ok, so why are Paxton's critics idiots? Because their criticisms objectively ignore the (at the time) revolutionary thesis that underpins Paxton's thesis and helps explain the sheer variety of historical fascist movements in the post-war era - namely that fascism isn't about adopting an ideology but rather engaging in ACTIONS that are objectively fascist.

By essentially arguing that "fascist is, as does fascist" - Paxton skillfully undermines decades upon decades of reactionary propaganda designed to obscure the continued existence of fascism behind the mewling statement "well it's not exactly like Nazi Germany" and in doing so offers a reliable and verifiable method of identifying fascist movements in progress - something that is quite relevant throughout most of the so-called West today.

If Paxton's analysis does have a flaw, it probably lies in his failure to grasp why fascism and anticommunism are inextricably linked in American society - but you'll have to forgive him, they don't let you talk that kinda real shit at Harvard.

He certainly wasn't wrong about how easily Americanism could become fascism and how likely that event would be in light of the horrifying Bush War on Terror reforms at the time he wrote The Anatomy of Fascism.

Definitely worth your time to read.