Author: adampaquin3

In the readings for this week there are many representations of fascism during the Second World War, not only in Germany but other parts of Europe as well.  In the Hanebrink article the author tells us how a large majority is afraid of Judeo-bolshevism and the potential that it will spread across the continent. Through this mentality all Jewish people are seen as communist and so this also spreads a fear of them in other countries in Europe.

With the Motadel article it was made relatively clear that fascism can mean many different things depending in the leaders’ ideals at the time. As he writes about anti colonist groups coming to Germany to gain support from Hitler. They end up receiving support from Hitler but only because he is looking for help to fight the allies. This may give off the appearance of nationalism but in turn to only fit the agenda of the Nazi state. Through this we are shown that Fascism has no clear definition, and it can be malleable to ones will especially during times of war if the greater result ends with a victorious fascist state.

After these readings we are shown that Fascism can have various faces and truly only show its true colors in the shadows. While in the light it has been made evident that Fascism can trick even the smartest and most intelligent of us all. And with its leaders often being loud, confident, and entirely self centered. And all of this is made even worse through their ability to create followers that show the same mentality as the leader to rise to the top.

Paul Hanebrink, A Specter Haunting Europe: The Myth of Judeo-Bolshevism (Harvard University Press, 2018), pp. 1-10, 11-45.

David Motadel, “The Global Authoritarian Moment: The Revolt Against Empire” American Historical Review Vol. 124, Issue 3 (July 2019): 843-877.

Adam Paquin

The readings from this week all center around a similar topic and that is defining populism versus fascism. All the authors from this week seem to have their own definitions, which are similar in some points, but they are clearly different definitions and none in my opinion are one hundred percent concrete.

Looking back at the reading, I found it fascinating the similarities between fascism and populism. With them both being ran by confident, charismatic leaders. But also, the enormous differences, with fascism being against democracy often creating a dictatorship (Finchelstein, 2017). While populist leaders would often work in a democratic state. Before doing the readings, I have heard very little about the term populism but after going over them I had a better understanding. Especially the Finchelstein one that was rather descriptive on the subject. He goes into depth on how many people may have mixed ideas on what populism actually is and how people can use the terms of fascism and populism interchangeably especially people who may have very little knowledge on either subject.

One thing that especially stood out to me was how both Mudde and Finchelstein made a point in saying that Populism is neither left nor right and it is highly dependant on the populist actor and their own personal ideals. I feel as that would be very important as this shows that populist ideals can vary in their ways and as Mudde states often a populist leader has a larger ideology in mind with populism being a secondary note. So being the fact that this is one of the first times I have actually read about this word populism, I am left still a little confused and in need of further research on the subject.

References

Federico Finchelstein, “Introduction: Thinking Fascism and Populism in terms of the Past” in Federico Finkelstein, From Fascism to Populism in History (University of California Press, 2017).

Cas Mudde, “Populism in Europe: An Illiberal Democratic Response to Undemocratic Liberalism” (The Government and Opposition/Leonard Schapiro Lecture 2019). Government and Opposition, (2021): 1-21.

Hey everyone,

We may have already met briefly in class but he goes a brief intro about me. I am currently a fourth year history student minoring in Geography. I have plans on attending teachers education next year and becoming a highschool teacher in my future. One of my favorite things to do is cook and learn new recipes while trying different foods that I may have never seen before. I am looking forward to this class and the semester as well as learning more about you guys and working together over the next few months.

Adam Paquin