Reading Fascist Theory

[Chicano Shamrock]

I have just realized that I have never read anything on fascism. I can't say I even know anything about it. All I know are the Mussolinis and Hitlers. I mean communism for me would be just as deplorable if all I knew was the USSR.

So does anyone know where to start?

[Obs]

You don't have to understand fascism to pop its skull like a melon.

[Apoi_Viitor]

http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/works/1944/1944-fas.htm

[Susurrus]

I recommend the Fascism Oxford Reader. Lots of source docs. Also read the Doctrine of Fascism by Mussolini, and to go back to the very origin of fascism read the Fascist Manifesto. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_manifesto) Remember that Fascism and Nazism are two ideologies(Mussolini called Mein Kampf "unreadable") and that Mussolini's fascism was different from the original Italian fascism(some schools of which were democratic). Most every fascist leader(Franco, Peron, etc) has put their own spin on the ideology. The key parts of fascism are a corporativist economy(in theory, this means that labor and business cooperate within the state, ie state unions have as much power as the business owners, and that the state controls the economy without nationalizing it), a strong state that directs society, militarism, and nationalism.

[Commissar Rykov]

I recommend the Fascism Oxford Reader. Lots of source docs. Also read the Doctrine of Fascism by Mussolini, and to go back to the very origin of fascism read the Fascist Manifesto. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_manifesto) Remember that Fascism and Nazism are two ideologies(Mussolini called Mein Kampf "unreadable") and that Mussolini's fascism was different from the original Italian fascism(some schools of which were democratic). Most every fascist leader(Franco, Peron, etc) has put their own spin on the ideology. The key parts of fascism are a corporativist economy(in theory, this means that labor and business cooperate within the state, ie state unions have as much power as the business owners, and that the state controls the economy without nationalizing it), a strong state that directs society, militarism, and nationalism.
What he said. You really can't go wrong and I can't think of adding anything other than taking a possible look at Mussolini's Autobiography as it is quite good in establishing the reasoning and the means that the Italian Fascists used to get into power.

[danyboy27]

The anatomy of fascism is a pretty good book on the matter.

[Tim Cornelis]

The Doctrine of Fascism by Giovanni Gentile (ghostwriter for Mussolini) is the magnum opus of fascism.
Myth of the Twentieth Century by Rosenberg is the magnum opus of National Socialism.

[DarkPast]

Also have a look at Stasserism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasserism

http://strasserism-online.blogspot.com/2008/08/introduction-to-strasserism.html

[The Idler]

Fascism by Roger Griffin is one of the best books on fascism because it is a compilation of primary sources from every country and aspect of fascism.Fascism (Oxford Readers): Amazon.co.uk: Roger Griffin: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fascism-Oxford-Readers-Roger-Griffin/dp/0192892495)

[Susurrus]

I recommend the Fascism Oxford Reader.

Why yes, it is.

[RadioRaheem84]

What's the one by David Guerin called?

[Susurrus]

What's the one by David Guerin called?

Do you mean Daniel Guerin? If so, Fascism and Big Business.