It has been nearly a century since fascism, with its authoritarian and nationalistic connotations, rose to power and wrought havoc across Europe. Yet, its insidious influence seems to be experiencing a global resurgence in the 21st century. The recent political landscape has been punctuated by the emergence of leaders and movements that echo the disturbing hallmarks of historical fascism, albeit dressed in the guise of modern political processes.
The phenomenon is not confined to any single nation. Far-right parties have ascended to power in Italy, reminiscent of its historical tryst with Mussolini, albeit now through the ballot rather than the bullet. This resurgence is not merely a historical echo but a manifestation of deeper, persisting sentiments within the collective psyche. A century later, the traditional social coalition of middle-class, urban working-class, and farmers that historically backed Italian fascism remains intact and influential.
Across Europe, this drift toward majoritarianism, where liberal democratic values are cast aside, can be seen as a disturbing trend. From Hungary’s entrenched proto-fascist forces in government to the far-right’s substantial electoral gains in Sweden, France, and Germany, the shadows of the past loom large over contemporary politics.
At the heart of this reemergence is the “mass psychology of fascism,” a term famously coined by psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich. Reich identified the inherent conditions in society that cultivated a fertile ground for fascism, rooted in the authoritarian and patriarchal social structures. He poignantly observed that fascist dictators typically arise from the milieu of the “little reactionary man”— a demographic that craves authority yet harbors a simultaneous rebellion against it.
Modern-day parallels are striking. The mass adulation of autocratic figures, from Trump to Putin to Modi, reflects an unsettling continuity with the past. These leaders, characterized by their supporters as strong and resolute, capitalize on a yearning for a glorified past and the promise of returning to a perceived “golden age.”
Yet, this resurgence of fascist sentiments does not exclusively belong to the fringes of society or the economically marginalized. It transcends class boundaries, harnessing a shared value system that often overrides conflicting class interests. The rise of populist attitudes, where complex societal issues are framed in a simplistic “us versus them” narrative, has challenged the very institutions of democracy.
This trend heralds what has been termed the “New Despotism”— a system of governance that, while maintaining the façade of democracy, uses constitutional mechanisms and mass media to manipulate and mold public opinion. Unlike the overtly oppressive regimes of the past, new despots seek validation and celebration from the populace, crafting a political culture that is not just complicit but actively engaged in furthering authoritarian aims.
Such political movements are not content with passive support; they thrive on the active vilification and persecution of perceived enemies, both real and imagined. The contemporary far-right’s capacity to assimilate disparate movements, ideologies, and grievances has forged a troubling unity of purpose, coalescing into a force that endangers the very foundations of pluralistic societies.
The resurgence of fascism and its modern iterations is a call to vigilance. It underscores the necessity of a worldly and skeptical criticism of the current moment, as outlined in the critical work of theorists and scholars.
Relevant articles:
– Why Fascism is on the Rise the World Over, The India Forum