Reading Materials, Yes My Precioussssss ....

i highly recommend Fascism: A Very Short Introduction by Kevin Passmore. it's an extraordinarily lucid introduction to a complex political system that defies easy definition. Passmore addresses major schools of thought on the nature of fascism, exploring their weaknesses and strengths with analysis of numerous manifestations of fascist and proto-fascist movements around the world.

the book contains extensive meta-analysis on the way the term fascism is applied. Passmore covers regimes which, in his judgment, do not merit the name even though some call them fascist as well as political movements that deny the name while exhibiting numerous sympathies with typically fascist ideals. Passmore takes studious care to compare and contrast fascism with classic left and right political ideologies and takes on the touchy task of contextualizing fascism within contemporary politics. lastly, there are two chapters devoted entirely to gender and racial/ethnic bigotry within fascist movements.

i'm duly impressed with the quality of this selection of the VSI series -- so impressed that i plan to buy a few more after i finish Sophie's World.