Abstract
Is it a simple coincidence that the escalation, radicalization and extension of aggressive ‘eliminationism’ in interwar Europe unfolded in tandem with the rise and diffusion of fascism?1 Nobody can deny that the most extreme case studies (i.e. Nazi genocide, persecution and elimination of Jewish and Romany communities across Axis-occupied Europe, annihilation of Serbs in the Independent State of Croatia, etc.) were authorized, supervised and executed by state authorities that displayed ‘fascist’ leanings, if not a fully fledged fascist physiognomy. Even the collaborationist regimes installed in the aftermath of invasion by Axis forces (e.g. in Croatia in 1941 and Hungary in 1944, etc.) depended on the support of indigenous ultra-nationalist elements that in most cases had already flirted with fascism in ideological and/or geopolitical terms. Together they often precipitated, fulfilled and even exceeded whatever demands were made by the Nazi authorities in the direction of eliminating Jews, Romanies and others.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
R. Eatwell, ‘Explaining Fascism and Ethnic Cleansing: The Three Dimensions of Charisma and the Four Dark Sides of Nationalism’, Political Studies Review 4, no. 3, 2006, pp. 263–78
E. Gentile, ‘The Sacralization of Politics: Definition, Interpretations and Reflections on the Question of Secular Religion and Totalitarianism’, Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions 1, no. 1, 2000, pp. 18–55
E. Gentile, ‘Fascism, Totalitarianism and Political Religion: Definitions and Critical Reflections on Criticism of an Interpretation’, Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions 5, no. 3, 2004, pp. 326–75.
R. Soucy, ‘The Nature of Fascism in France’, Journal of Contemporary History 1, no. 1, 1966, pp. 27–55.
M. Neocleous, ‘Long Live Death! Fascism, Resurrection, Immortality’, Journal of Political Ideologies 10, no. 1, 2005, pp. 31–49.
L. Festinger, A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance, Stanford, 1957; E. Aronson, ‘A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance’, American Journal of Psychology 110, no. 1, 1997, pp. 127–37.
B. M. Gordon, ‘Un soldat du fascisme: l’évolution politique de Joseph Darnand’, Revue d’histoire de la deuxième guerre mondiale 27, no. 1, 1977, pp. 43–70
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2011 Aristotle Kallis
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kallis, A. (2011). Fascism, ‘Licence’ and Genocide: From the Chimera of Rebirth to the Authorization of Mass Murder. In: Pinto, A.C. (eds) Rethinking the Nature of Fascism. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230295001_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230295001_10
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-230-27296-5
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-29500-1
eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)