The Anatomy of Fascism and Propaganda - Book Report/Review Example

The Anatomy of Fascism and Propaganda essay Table of Contents Introduction 3 Analysis 3 Discussion 9 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 13 Introduction Robert Paxton is a famous historian and political scientist of America. Paxton was specialized in Europe, Vichy France and fascism. One of the famous works of the author is the Anatomy of Fascism. For the first time, Robert Paxton tried to focus on concrete about the work done by fascists. Several famous authors and researchers provided several definitions on fascism, but they fail to provide vivid explanation and were unsuccessful to move further than the abstract. Robert O. Paxton is viewed as the esteemed historian, who clearly presented and explained why fascists came in to existence and gained their momentum is some countries. The new book of author is a tradition writing and investigative on traditions of fascism. The regimes and movements of fascist and their ways of behaving have been efficiently presented in the book. Two paradigm regimes in Germany and Italy have been focused on the book. The author documented the crucial problem of the contemporary ones. The book tries to focus on the actions rather than words of fascism. The author spends more time to explain the ways in which fascist interacted with superior societies to enhance their transformation. The prime purpose of the research paper is to provide detailed overview and explanation of fascism in Germany and Italy. There are different movements of fascist which were failure and successful in the process of gaining their power. These movements are labeled in the paper to provide complete overview about the importance of book towards the transformation of knowledge about fascism. Analysis Robert O. Paxton defined Fascism as the procedure of political behavior which is marked by compensatory factions of purity, energy and unity and by compulsive obsession with victimhood, humiliation and declination of community. Furthermore, fascism effectively pursues with redemptive violence, leave behind democratic liberties and association with militants of nationalist. The author explores the power of fascist in some countries and existence of fascism outside the European setting. Robert O. Paxton focused on the functional development and political aspect of fascism. Robert O. Paxton is not an ordinary historian and political scientist. At the time of German occupation of France, Maurice Papon was effectively in authority for transporting Jews. The judge of Bordeaux called helped of four historians, who are talented enough to explain the background information to the jury member. Robert O. Paxton was one of those experts that helped Bordeaux judge to clarify the background. Consequently, it cannot be denied that many years of thinking have been effectively incorporated in the book the Anatomy of Fascism. In the 20th century, four visual images have been described by the author. Additionally, it helped to define the importance of fascism. Some of the fascist tried to produce new philosophies and theories that can help to explain why and what they believed. In early part of 20th century in Europe, fascism came in to prominence, which is described as the form of fundamental controlling nationalism. Fascists with the help of authoritarian state tried to unify their nation that can encourage mass form of mobilization. It is also believed that fascists were characterized and categorized to have leadership which introduced a revolutionary form of political measure. Certain common features are shared by the activities of fascist which comprises devotion of strong leader, stress on militarism and veneration of the state. The prime reason to achieve national rejuvenation was by views of fascism on imperialism, war and violence. Fascism emphasize on stronger nations. Furthermore, they try to replace weaker nations to expand their territory. These movement and feature of fascism has been effectively presented in the book to provide vivid knowledge to the readers. The appeal of fascist to the masses is based on emotional, aesthetic and visceral, instead of focusing on the history of success of the government and explanation of attractive theories1. There are many people who try to associate fascism with historic examples like Mussolini Italy and Hitler Germany. In 20th century, fascism is viewed as the source of pain and main political innovation. Robert O. Paxton stated that the emergence of fascism occurred in the year 1919. Additionally, it was born in Milan. The Milan Industrial and Commercial Alliance was the place where hundreds of persons which includes reports, people supported the wars, futurist intellectuals and war veterans gathered. The pivotal purpose of the meeting was to announce war against socialism. This is mainly due to the fact that they are opposite to nationalism. This movement of war against socialism is defined by Mussolini as fraternities of combat. Two months later, the fascist program was intimated and issued2. The program was the combination of fundamental social experiment and veteran patriotism. On the fundamental side, it projected and suggested to abolishment of the upper house and suffrage of Women to vote at the age of eighteen to draft fresh constitution for the betterment of Italy. The movement of Mussolini was not only limited to the attacks on property and nationalism, it was heated with the willingness for rejection of negotiation, anti-intellectualism and forceful act. Fascism is regarded by Robert O. Paxton as the process of five stages. The fight stage process of fascism is one of intimidations and protests to established and recognized groups. Likewise, this occurrence of threats to the groups is not being resolved. This can be due to the collapsing political parties or systems. This collapse can create vacuum which makes political system of the country instable. The book provides information about the struggles of the Blue shirts in Ireland and Greyshirts in the Iceland. Moreover, this effort of the agitators was in vain and can be just used as academic knowledge. The second stage of the process is defined as the taking of root, Furthermore, this process of taking root is regarded as serious. The movements of fascists developed not only coordinators for the disillusioned but also spokesmen. Likewise, these movements tried to tackle problems illegally. Robert O. Paxton is right to stress importance towards development of the movement. The author tried to emphasize that it was not Mussolini who made mass movement of Fascism in Milan. The armed vigilantes with youthful squads in the PO valley are the prime reason behind the destruction of socialist labor unions. Furthermore, these youthful squads elected new socialist mayors. This occurrence of incident is similar to the event in Holstein-Schleswig. The progression of fascism was failure and taking root is regarded as the more problematic. The third stage process is the most vital which is getting power. A notable contribution has been made by Robert O. Paxton towards the relationship between Franco-American. Between the years 1940 and 1944, Fascist zealots did not ran much of the new order. It is argued by the French establishment that power is not seized by Fascists3. The key perspectives of understanding the emergence of power of the Fascists in Germany and Italy, lies towards top army officers, president and king. It is certain that both Hitler and Mussolini was believed by other existing elites, as the one who have the capacity to relation most of their status and powers. The outcome of both of the case is dependent upon the unwillingness and personalities of Hitler and Mussolini to compromise.4 This primary source of SHSU has supported the Paxton’s views about fascism in which both Hitler and Mussolini tried to enhance relationship between Italy and Germany. The fourth stage process of Robert O. Paxton is the exercise of power. The author effectively admitted that Hitler and Mussolini performed inversely in the office. Both of the leaders have the capability and courage to keep Establishment happy and getting rid of the followers that are obstreperous. Furthermore, both leaders tried to provide solution towards the economic growth of the country. This resulted in to transformation of the whole thing. The state machinery was the essential towards the process of governance of Mussolini. Moreover, the process of governance is complemented by parallel bureaucracies. The main intension of the party was to mobilize and allocate favors to the young. On the other hand, Hitler was reliant to the parallel bureaucracies and party. In the later years, the process of governing by Hitler was much more competitive leeway and idle. On the other hand Mussolini allowed little importance to permit colleague to work and tried to run everything alone. The final stage of Robert O. Paxton is the entropy or radicalization. The author tries to explain that both leaders tried to become much more radical by keeping up with the muscle tone of Fascist. The first step of introduction of Fascism occurred in Italy. The movements of Fascist were classically demanded as the hostile at the time of industrial capitalism. The process of fruitful activities of fascist movement in Germany and Italy connected themselves with large commerce. The fascists offered new faces. The earliest parties in Germany and Italy were fascists and communists. The fascists have provided opportunity for youth to become new leaders of both nations. Moreover, it also helped to provide discipline and deeper commitment. There are certain stages in the upsurge of successful movements of fascist in Germany and Italy. The chief creation of movements of fascism is combined by upsurge in the number of adherents, discontent and doctrine. The political system of both country Italy and Germany is rooting the fascism movement. This movement is determined to be introduced in the regular policy party of both countries. In 1933, Hitler has the acquisition of the power. In 1921, Mussolini has the attainment of power. The application of power includes the elimination of rival political organizations and parties. This competing political force includes labor unions. Robert O. Paxton argues that in the case of both fascist Nazi Germany and Italy, the implementation of power is primarily consisting of the traditional institutions, leaders, the bureaucracy and the party. Paxton believe that the original basis on the exercise of power is different. At the time of inter-war France, the prime complications for historians are to locate any signal an indication of existence of fascism in France. Furthermore, the standard viewpoint of many people was there was no existence of French fascism. The primary occurrence of movements in France was viewed as politically irrelevant. It is regarded as the light imitation consequences of the factual consequences in Germany and Italy. In case of Nazi Germany, after the beginning of war, the party came to the country to control the civil society and the state. This mentality of governing and ruling the society is not included. In case of Italy, Mussolini feared own personal followers. The traditional states has the power to be dominant that that of party. Discussion Robert O. Paxton argues that people needed to be more productive to understand the concept of fascism as a procedure. The rule of National Fascist party between the year 1922 and 1943 is regarded as the Fascist Italy. Benito Mussolini was the leader of national Fascist Party and key character towards the formation of fascism. Mussolini was also supporter of the Socialist International. The prime intention of the fascists is to impose rule of totalitarian and crush the intellectual and political opposition. Moreover, they tried to promote traditional social values and economic modernization. The regime of Fascist is approved through some phases. Between the year 1923 and 1925 is the continuation of the first phase. This phase is the extension and continuance of the parliamentary system. Between the year 1925 and 1929 is the process of second phase. This phase is the process of the construction of dictatorship of fascist. Between the year 1929 and 1934 is the occurrence of third phase. This phase is less activism. The Italian period of Fascism was between the year 1922 and 1943. The year 1919 was the time when Fascists prepared their entrance in political violence. The initial left-leaning and revolutionary policy of Fascists was failure. Moreover, Benito Mussolini turned the organization in to electoral movement. This process of transformation of the revolutionary movement was held in the year 1921. This electoral movement was named as the National Fascist Party. Furthermore, the party started to castoff the parliamentary democracy and tried to replica the nationalist subjects of D’Annunzio. In 1922, there was occurrence of common strike by the workers. This strike provided opportunity for Mussolini to announce petition to the government to deliver political power of Fascist party a revolution. Small number of Fascists took a lengthy trek from Italy to Rome. This is known as the March on Rome. The Fascists demanded that Luigi Facta should resign the post of Prime Minister. Under the time of Victor Emmanuel III, the government of Italy faced political crisis. This emergence of crisis has forced government to choose rival movements that would form government in the country. The anti-monarchist of the Italian Socialist Party and the Fascists of Mussolini are the two rival movements. The king Victor Emmanuel III selected the Fascists of Mussolini. 11 years after the Fascist Party of Mussolini, the Fascist part of Germany came in to prominence. Hitler was extremely influenced by the admiration of military values, one-party state and hatred of communism by the Fascist Party of Mussolini. Most of the political sources such as trade union and political party movement have been removed under the fascism. In 1920s and 1930s, the political and economic crisis has created huge adverse impact in Italy and German5. This primary source has supported the view of Paxton that fascism will help to reduce the economic crunch within countries. This emergence of crisis has also hit worldwide. The introduction of Fascism has been successful in both countries. In some of the countries, the Fascists failed and were defeated. Between the year 1844 and 1900, Friedrich Nietzsche is accused as the progenitor of fascism. The research of Sternhell at the time of First World War provides vivid information to undermine the fact that fascism did not appear in France. Since the Dreyfus Affair, the greatest domestic political turmoil faced by France is the occurrence of Francist Movement. But, fascism did not take hold in France and other European countries. The fascism in Britain, Scandinavia and France never developed further than establishing a newspaper. The outspoken topics about fascist movement in France was never developed effectively and sometimes determined as less enthralling topic. The first socialist state of the world is created by the Bolshevik Revolution. In the decolonizing world, the new Soviet Union tried to provide backing to the socialist rebels. The response of the Bolshevik Revolution leads to the formation of the fascist parties in Italy and Germany. Robert O. Paxton believes that the economic policy of Nazi Germany was favorable to the interests of bourgeois. The author also stated that in terms of the equipment the economic controls of the country damaged many small companies. The policy of control of state and the resurgence has to rely on powerful banking and industrial groups. Conclusion This can be concluded that Robert Paxton has effectively presented and explained the regimes and movement of Fascist. Fascism is well-defined as the procedure of political activities which is effectively noticeable by preoccupation with victimhood and declination of community. The movements of fascist used to vary so noticeably from one situation to another, which creates sense of uncertainty that the word Fascism is nothing but a smear term. The cultural and knowledgeable environment of the early 20th century has been effectively presented in the book. The prime purpose of the book is to provide a fresh outlook on the concept of fascism. The emergence of Fascist Party is Germany and Italy made other parts of the world and Europe unambiguous towards marching squads and aspiring dictators. This phase of resounding with groups and dictators is based on people who think that they are following same path as Hitler and Mussolini. The explanation of Paxton in perspective to the fascist ideology makes more sense and materialistic. The viewpoint of author on the thesis of communism is fascism is that the control of communist and Nazi Germany mechanism is similar. Some of the contemporary European scenes such as sharing of power in Austria and Italy have been discussed in the book to provide clear viewpoint about Fascist movements. The Anatomy of Fascism by Robert Paxton does an admirable work to provide clear picture to the readers about the meaning of fascism and its importance towards the history. Bibliography Fordham. Modern History Sourcebook: Benito Mussolini: What is Fascism, 1932? 1997. < http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/mussolini-fascism.asp>. Online. Paxton, Robert. The Anatomy of Fascism. London: Penguin, 2011. SHSU. A 1922 Description of the Fascists in Italy. 2000. < http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Fascist.html>. Online. SHSU. History 387: World War II: Primary source readings. 2012.. < http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/387Read.html>. Online. Yale. Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928. 1996. < http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/imt/kbpact.htm>. Online. Read More