Cooling Down Fascism

In order to understand the danger of fascism, we cannot focus solely on its historical manifestations in the 20th century. Fascism is flexible and adaptable. It can take on many different forms within a wide variety of social systems. The common denominator is a specific approach to politics. Where political and economic participation cannot be realized – or can only be achieved to an insufficient degree – and where social recognition is unsatisfactory or absent, fascism offers symbolic substitutes, such as a sense of community forged in a fervent We that thrives on the chauvinistic exclusion of ‘others.’ This BG dossier counters the rousing, hot-headed nature of this political form with a cool analysis.