The spread of nationalist and authoritarian movements in Europe and around the world has prompted debates about a return of global fascism. At the same time, many countries are witnessing civil society activities opposing such movements. Politicians and activists from both camps endorse like-minded actors across borders. Do these developments suggest that we are living in a time comparable to the 1930s, when the decisive marker in national and international politics was the one between fascism and antifascism?
In order to address this looming question, the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb), in cooperation with the Hamburg Institute for Social Research (HIS) and Rutgers University, organized an international conference. It took place in Hamburg from 1-3 November 2017 and was part of the bpb’s event series Mapping Memories.
Conference Program- Conference Report (in German) (PDF-Download)
- Conference Report (in German) (read online)
- Recommended reading (in German): Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte 42-43/2017 "(Anti-)Faschismus"
The overarching aim of the conference was to explore whether and how the histories of fascism and antifascism offer insights into the rise of authoritarian regimes today. What makes a fascist regime? What is the line separating authoritarianism from fascism? Can we identify "tipping points"? How should a civil society react to these challenges? Do antifascist movements of the 20th century offer a role model? How can insights into such historical connections benefit proponents of a democratic civil society?
