Paper Summary:

This paper examines the rise of neo-fascism in many parts of Europe, especially following the collapse of the former Soviet Union during the early 1990s. The paper argues that this trend was largely in response to many of the same issues that fueled its origins prior to World War II, such as the scarcity of resources, ethnocentristic views, and the use of force to achieve national goals. The paper claims that, with the unification of Europe, the last few years have witnessed an increase in ultra-right-wing political parties across Europe in response to many of these same conditions. The paper provides an assessment of the degree to which Europe witnessed a return of fascist politics in the 1980s and 1990s. It also takes a look at why anti-immigrant political parties and leaders have attracted substantial support in these recent decades, and whether they represent a new manifestation of fascism or something fundamentally different. The paper concludes that anti-immigration politicians and those willing to sacrifice democratic principles in favor of force to achieve their political goals will continue to represent a force to be reckoned with by the national leaders of the European Union.

From the Paper:

"Today, fascism has raised its ugly head once again for many of the same reasons that fueled its growth in the 20th century. In this regard, this brand of fascism is more reflective of its mid-20th century roots than merely being something "undesirable." According to Ignazi (2003), "The extreme right has so far consolidated its presence all over Western Europe. The reason for this breakthrough is multifaceted: from the emergence of new unaccounted issues to the creeping crisis of representation; from the emergence of proto-charismatic figures in the extreme right, well knit with the growing personalization of politics, to the increasing political and societal alienation and the dissatisfaction for traditional features of the political system and for politics as such" (2)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bermeo, Nancy. (1994). "Democracy in Europe." Daedalus 123(2): 159.
• Dunaway, Wilma A. Emerging Issues in the 21st Century World-System: New Theoretical Directions for the 21st Century World-System. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003.
• Goldberg, Jonah. (2006, September 25). "All about 'Fascism': The Word of the Day." National Review 58(17): 28.
• Holmes, Douglas R. Integral Europe: Fast-Capitalism, Multiculturalism, Neofascism. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2000.
• Ignazi, Piero. Extreme Right Parties in Western Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.

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