Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe: Collectivist Visions of Modernity, examines the historical examples of Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Spanish Anarchism, suggesting that, in spite of their differences, they had some key features in common, in particular their shared hostility to individualism, representative government, laissez faire capitalism, and the decadence they associated with modern culture. But rather than seeking to return to earlier ways of working these movements and regimes sought to design a new future – an alternative future – that would restore the nation to spiritual and political health. The Fascists, for their part, specifically promoted palingenesis, which is to say the spiritual rebirth of the nation.
The book closes with a long epilogue, in which I defend liberal democracy, highlighting its strengths and advantages. In this chapter, the author identifies five key choke points, which would-be authoritarians typically seek to control, subvert, or instrumentalize: electoral rules, the judiciary, the media, hate speech, and surveillance, and look at the cases of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Jarosław Kaczyński’s Poland, and Donald Trump’s United States.
Les mer
This book examines the historical examples of Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Spanish Anarchism, suggesting that, in spite of their differences, they had some key features in common.
Les mer
Acknowledgments
Preface
Chapter 1. Rival Visions of Alternative Modernity: An Introduction
Chapter 2. An Evolving Vision of an Alternative Modernity: Soviet Communism
Chapter 3. The Quest for an Alternative Modernity: Fascism and Nazism, Part I
Chapter 4. The Quest for an Alternative Modernity: Fascism and Nazism, Part II
Chapter 5. The Quest for Freedom and Solidarity: Anarchism in Spain
Chapter 6. Epilogue. In Defense of Liberal Democracy—and a Warning
Glossary
Further Reading
About the Author
Name index
Subject index
Les mer
"This is a timely moment to step back from the presentation of contemporary politics and take a historical approach to past challenges to liberal democracy in the twentieth century, which is precisely what Sabrina P. Ramet does in this eloquently written history of alternatives to democracy. She identifies four principal rival visions to that of liberal democracy: German National Socialism, Italian Fascism, Soviet Communism, and Spanish Anarcho-Syndicalism. Ramet's book is an extremely learned and interesting book that will be read with great benefit by anyone interested in the intellectual history of liberal democracy and its adversaries."
Les mer
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9789633863183
Publisert
2019-06-12
Utgiver
Vendor
Central European University Press
Aldersnivå
UP, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
500