Anatomy of fascism

Robert O. Paxton's The Anatomy of Fascism returns to bookstores amid the rise of far-right groups around the world.

Robert O. Paxton, an American historian, is one of the greatest theoretical experts on fascism. His proposal—answering the question "what is fascism?"—is no easy task. Researchers around the world differ in their explanations of the problem. The only consensus seems to be a general distaste for the label. Calling someone a "fascist" has been a grave offense since the end of World War II, and political opponents, from both the left and right, trade accusations along these lines.

To address this issue, Paxton mobilizes his rich theoretical framework, the result of years of research and debate at prestigious universities such as Harvard and Columbia. Based on his comparative study, centered on action and informed by the discourse of classic fascists—the Italian and the German, the Nazi—the author innovated by interpreting them as non-static historical phenomena, living up to their chameleonic plasticity.

Understanding fascism as a phenomenon "in flux," Paxton proposes five stages of development to identify its manifestations, allowing him to analyze similar political emergencies in the 20th century. Thus, the author investigates everything from extremist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan in the United States, to more moderate ones, such as Vargas' movement in Brazil, always asking the question: to what extent are these movements fascist?

The Anatomy of Fascism is an essay that characterizes the "white elephant" of the 20th century and offers resources for considering the challenges to democracy in the 21st century. Far from speculation and generic definitions, Robert O. Paxton's work is essential reading for understanding the return to political relevance of the far right, represented by the rise of neo-fascist groups around the world and, in Brazil, by Bolsonarism.

This new edition, timely published by Editora Paz & Terra, features previously unpublished texts by Carla Rodrigues, philosopher and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Fluminense Federal University, and Rubens RR Casara, judge, author of the books Post-democratic State and Lawless Society (Editora Civilização Brasileira) and member of the Association of Judges for Democracy.

“This splendid book […] may become the most important of the classics on the subject.” – The New York Times Book Review

“A deeply intelligent and accessible book.” – The Economist

“Robert O. Paxton […] shows that, far from being a historically dated experience, fascism is always present on the horizon of possibilities.” – Le Monde

“I challenge any reader to go through this list [of passions that mobilize fascism] without remembering something said or done in their country today.” – Los Angeles Times

“Useful and timely.” – San Francisco Chronicle