1. Hard to find a better book that's actually about Fascism as opposed to a specific movement. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. He earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1963. Paxton was born on June 15, 1932 in Lexington, Virginia. Until Now. . ― Robert O. Paxton, The Anatomy of Fascism. "Everyone is sure they know what fascism is," wrote Columbia University historian Robert O. Paxton in his seminal work, 'The Anatomy of Fascism.' 1-23 [Ella, History 151] Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2014. Paxton has worked on two issues within the general area of modern European history: France during the Nazi occupation of 1940-1944; and the rise and spread of fascism. The esteemed historian Robert O. Paxton answers this question for the first time by focusing on the concrete: what the fascists did, rather than what they said. [15], Paxton is an avid birdwatcher and a former president of the Linnaean Society of New York. 1-23 Published by: The University of Chicago Press Stable URL: Accessed: 17-07-2018 18:56 UTC JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted … This book has been printed upside down and backwards!!!!!!! Professor Robert Paxton is a professor emeritus of social science at Columbia University specializing in modern European history, with particular focus on … It is focused on real Fascism in Italy and Germany from c. 1919-45 (but with adequate consideration of later developments and possible 'Fascisms' elsewhere). Later, he won a Rhodes Scholarship and spent two years earning an M.A. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Paxton&oldid=1005817360, University of California, Berkeley faculty, Officers of the National Order of Merit (France), Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Academics and writers on far-right extremism, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Intellectual exploration, where disillusionment with popular democracy manifests itself in discussions of lost national vigor, Rooting, where a fascist movement, aided by political deadlock and polarization, becomes a player on the national stage, Arrival to power, where conservatives seeking to control rising leftist opposition invite fascists to share power, Exercise of power, where the movement and its charismatic leader control the state in balance with state institutions such as the police and traditional elites such as the, Radicalization or entropy, where the state either becomes increasingly radical, as did Nazi Germany, or slips into traditional, A new introduction prefaced the Morningside Edition published by. It’s a followup to my previous post on Umberto Eco’s essay on fascism.. Generally speaking, most writers define their subject matter at the beginning: Robert O. Paxton leaves this to the end of the book - although he defines the word fascism as being taken from Italian: 'fascio', literally a bundle of sheaf, as I remember from my student days and I also can recall that this was taken from Latin meaning Fasces, an axe encased in a bundle of rods. However, the translation sold thousands of copies, particularly to the young generation shaped by the civil unrest of May 1968 and who were uninterested in the "cozy mythologies" of Vichy apologists. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Robert O. Paxton taught at Columbia University. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2013. By Charalampos Minasidis When people think about fascism, two men come to mind: Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. ", with Manuel Bragança, and Fransiska Louwagie. Robert Paxton's Interpretation of Fascism Robert Paxton’s interpretation of fascism, The Anatomy of Fascism (2003) concluding chapter or his preceding article “Five Stages of Fascism” The Journal of Modern History, Vol. 70, No. [10], In the preface to the 1982 edition of Vichy France, Paxton disagreed with the assertion of his opponents that he had written in "easy moral superiority" from the perspective of a "victor": "In fact [it] was written in the shadow of the war in Vietnam, which sharpened my animosity against nationalist conformism of all kinds. He has contributed more than twenty reviews to The New York Review of Books, beginning in 1978 and continuing through 2017. All I can say is that it was interesting, generally well written, and gives the subject a good try. That's another one. This bar-code number lets you verify that you're getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. A splendid book.". [9] The reaction among Resistance groups was mixed due to Paxton's argument that there was no serious Resistance until well into 1941. An essential introduction to the history and mechanics of Fascism. The Five Stages of Fascism* Robert 0.Paxton Colunzbia University At first sight, nothing seems easier to understand than fascism. This book certainly provides a brilliant, scholarly and highly perceptive analysis of fascism. Robert O. Paxton taught at Columbia University. Please try again. The Five Stages of Fascism Robert O. Paxton The Journal of Modern History, Vol. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Today, the book is considered a historical classic and one of the best studies on France in the Vichy era. The 13-digit and 10-digit formats both work. in, With Mame Warren. It was a revolution of a kind never seen before, without underlying ideas, against ideas.. M u ssolini was a socialist activist until he was adopted by Italy’s capitalist class.. Focus on actions not the words: Fascists attacked international finance almost as loudly as they attacked socialists. From Robert Paxton's The Anatomy of Fascism If we are going to talk about Fascism it would be worth having some idea of what characterises it. from Washington and Lee University in 1954. Instead, its a book that shows the underlying mechanics of fascism and what conditions can cause it to develop. 1. It presents itself to us in crude, primary images: a chauvinist demagogue haranguing an ecstatic crowd; disciplined ranks of marching youths; uniform-shirted militants beating Using it loosely obscures genuine fascism, making it hard to recognize and fight it. In 1997 he testified at the trial of Vichy bureaucrat Maurice Papon.[12]. Paxton offers a good starting point - Strelnikov In his 1998 paper "The Five Stages of Fascism," he suggests that fascism cannot be defined solely by its ideology, since fascism is a complex political phenomenon rather than a relatively coherent body of doctrine like communism or socialism. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2011. . In "The Anatomy of Fascism," Robert O. Paxton seeks both to identify the key features of fascism and to describe five stages that a fascist movement may pass through. Paxton generally avoids trying to define Fascism. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2019. I came away with a very thorough understanding of how fascism takes root, seizes and exercises power, and the tactics used by fascist rulers across various countries where it was successful and why. study of the subject. [1] After attending secondary school in New England, he received a B.A. Having studied this topic too long ago to be able to weigh in on the subject, I wanted to determine whether or not we are witnessing a resurgence of any type of fascism. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. in, This page was last edited on 9 February 2021, at 15:32. Instead, he focuses on fascism's political context and functional development. Today’s leisure reading is Robert Paxton’s essay The Five Stages of Fascism (downloadable PDF). So I thought it would be worthwhile to take a deeper look at the work of Columbia historian Robert O. Paxton, who is a scholar of fascism. He served there for the remainder of his career, retiring in 1997. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Essay Assignment One Robert Paxtom describes fascism as a form of political behavior marked by a sense of overwhelming crisis beyond the reach of any traditional solutions. Using it loosely obscures genuine fascism, making it hard to recognize and fight it. From the first violent uniformed bands beating up "enemies of the state," through Mussolini's rise to power, to Germany's fascist radicalization in World War II, Paxton shows clearly why fascists came to power in some countries and not others, and explores whether fascism could exist outside the early-twentieth-century European setting in which it emerged. As an expert on the Vichy era, Paxton co-wrote Claude Chabrol's 1993 documentary The Eye of Vichy. Please try again. About Robert Paxton. ", "American Duce: Is Donald Trump a Fascist or a Plutocrat? Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. (Mar., 1998), pp. The book clearly mentions the origins of fascism from its nineteenth century roots to the 'real' fascism in Italy and Germany from 1919-45. Writing in the late 1960s, what concerned me was not the comparison with defeated France but the confident swagger of the Germans in the summer of 1940."[11]. [6], Upon the book's publication in French translation in 1973, Paxton became the subject of intense vitriol from French historians and commentators. THE ANATOMY OF FASCISM ROBERT O. PAXTON Alfred A. Knopf New York 2004 Paxt_1400040949_8p_all_r1.qxd 1/30/04 4:38 PM Page iii This is less a book that provides a definition of fascism. Robert Owen Paxton (born June 15, 1932) is an American political scientist and historian specializing in Vichy France, fascism, and Europe during the World War… tags: fascism, fascism-route-to-power, fascist-rise. . ), Previous page of related Sponsored Products. The Five Stages of Fascism Author(s): Robert O. Paxton Source: The Journal of Modern History, Vol. Robert O. Paxton taught at Columbia University. "Fascist" and "fascism" are words that people throw around loosely these days. His other books include Vichy France, Vichy France and the Jews(with Michael Marrus), Europe in … Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2018. Please try again. ROBERT PAXTON: Well, fascism is a mass nationalist movement intended to restore a country that’s been damaged or is in decline, by expansion, by … Robert O. Paxton is a history professor emeritus at Columbia University and author of the book “The Anatomy of Fascism.” He explains whether Trump … It presents itself to us in crude, primary images: a chauvinist demagogue haranguing an ecstatic crowd; disciplined ranks of marching youths; uniform-shirted militants beating Paxton's "Anatomy of Fascism" is, in fact, more than an overview or introduction. The Five Stages of Fascism* Robert O. Paxton Columbia University At first sight, nothing seems easier to understand than fascism. [5] Unlike Aron and Henri Michel, Paxton did not play down Vichy's achievements in his explanation of its domestic agenda. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Robert O. Paxton taught at Columbia University. During a televised debate with Paxton in 1976, the Vichy naval leader Gabriel Auphan called him a liar. What "is fascism? His other books include Vichy France, Vichy France and the Jews (with Michael Marrus), Europe in the Twentieth Century, and French Peasant Fascism. In reality, however, "fascist" is a technical term that refers to a rather specific political phenomenon. . According to Paxton (link to biography), even though fascist movements had varying stated goals, the shared elements lay in what they actually did.. He lives in New York City. This may partly explain why … 70, No. The Anatomy of Fascism by Robert O. Paxton. Paxton has focused his work on exploring models and definition of fascism. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. This book was written in 2004, so I knew there would be no controversial mentions of our current president. Hands down the best book I've read on fascism. 1-23. Or get 4-5 business-day shipping on this item for $5.99 In a word, it is brilliant. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. The English Grammar Workbook for Adults: A Self-Study Guide to Improve Functional W... Epidemics: The Impact of Germs and Their Power over Humanity, Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019. "Interview with Robert O. Paxton, on the Writing of History and Ego-history." . The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation, Fascism (Key Concepts in Political Theory), "So fair, so thorough and, in the end, so convincing, it may well become the most authoritative . "Hudson-Delaware region. Robert Paxton is emeritus professor of history at Columbia University. The author waits until the final chapter to define fascism, using the accumulated evidence from his historical account. There's a problem loading this menu right now. ", "The Nazis and the Jews in Occupied Western Europe, 1940-1944" (1982), with, "Anti-Americanism in the Years of Collaboration and Resistance." Historians often come ever-so-close to calling American fascism what it is, before backing away and concluding that fascism is something from abroad. His other books include Vichy France, Vichy France and the Jews (with Michael Marrus), Europe in the Twentieth Century, and French Peasant Fascism. It is a scholarly and highly perceptive analysis of Fascism - by far the best that I've encountered so far anywhere. Mussolini originally coined the term “fascismo.”. 0 likes. In opposition to the traditional view pioneered by Robert Aron, he argued that the Vichy government was eager to collaborate with Nazi Germany and did not practice "passive resistance" to German rule. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. In "The Anatomy of Fascism," Robert O. Paxton seeks both to identify the key features of fascism and to describe five stages that a fascist movement may pass through. ", "The German Opposition to Hitler: A Non-Germanist's View. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. at Merton College, Oxford,[2] where he studied under historians including James Joll and John Roberts. Robert Owen Paxton (born June 15, 1932) is an American political scientist and historian specializing in Vichy France, fascism, and Europe during the World War II era. . He remains a professor emeritus. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2017. He is Mellon Professor Emeritus of Social Science in the Department of History at Columbia University. Robert Paxton… He lives in New York City. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The Anatomy of Fascism, by Robert O. Paxton, is an interesting examination of the political concept of Fascism from both an intellectual and practical perspective. So, so Robert Paxton of Columbia, who you know wrote the book “The Anatomy of Fascism.” ... Paxton and Europe, when we talk about fascism in America, we’re … "Oral History Interview with Robert O. Paxton, April 18, 1996. Publication date 2004-03-23 Topics Western Europe - General, Fascism, History, History - General History, History: World, Europe, History / Europe / Western, Ethics & Moral Philosophy His other books include Vichy France, Vichy France and the Jews (with Michael Marrus), Europe in the Twentieth Century, and French Peasant Fascism.He lives in New York City. From the first violent uniformed bands beating up “enemies of the state,” through Mussolini’s rise to power, to Germany’s fascist radicalization in World War II, Paxton shows clearly why fascists came to power in some countries and not others, and explores whether fascism could exist outside the early-twentieth-century European setting in which it emerged. [14], In 2009, the French government awarded Paxton the Legion d'honneur. I didn't have had high expectations for this book, for the subject is notoriously difficult. The article identifies five paradigmatic stages of a fascist movement, although he notes that only Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy progressed through all five: In his 2004 book The Anatomy of Fascism, Paxton refines his five-stage model and puts forward the following definition for fascism: Fascism may be defined as a form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation, or victim-hood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy, and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion. [3] It was published at a time when French historians and filmmakers were also exploring history under the Vichy regime, as in Marcel Ophüls' influential two-part documentary The Sorrow and the Pity (1969). Many authors have proposed definitions, but most fail to move beyond the abstract. He lists the following five steps. His other books include. Highly Perceptive and Brilliant Analysis of fascism written in Scholarly fashion! has been added to your Cart, The Age of American Unreason in a Culture of Lies, Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents, How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them, After Collapse: The End of America and the Rebirth of Her Ideals, The Fascism this Time: and the Global Future of Democracy, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. From the author of "Vichy France, a fascinating, authoritative history of fascism in all its manifestations, and how and why it took hold in certain countries and not in others. Engaging activities to help adults boost grammar skills, Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018. [3], Marc Ferro, a French historian of Jewish heritage, wrote that Vichy France would make the left feel uneasy by its contradiction of their belief that only the élite had betrayed France in 1940, "whereas in reality heroic resistance to the last man from Bayonne to Africa made no sense for anyone". Robert O. Paxton is a professor emeritus of social sciences at Columbia University and the author of many books, including the widely translated The Anatomy of Fascism … Unable to add item to List. Another new introduction prefaced the 2001 publication by Columbia University Press, with W. J. Boyle Jr, and D. A. Cutler. [4], Paxton is best known for his 1972 book Vichy France: Old Guard and New Order, 1940-1944. by Robert Paxton. 1 (March 1998), pp. He is Mellon Professor Emeritus of Social Science in the Department of History at Columbia University. Goodreads Basics: Fascism is complex. That is a fascist stroke," Robert Paxton, a leading authority on fascism, told Slate. Like “Italian and German conservatives had not created Mussolini and Hitler, of course, though they had too often let their law breaking go unpunished. [3], Paxton taught at the University of California, Berkeley[2] and the State University of New York at Stony Brook before joining the faculty of Columbia University in 1969. His latest book is Anatomy of Fascism (Vintage, 2005). Hands down the best book I've read on fascism, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2016. Use the Amazon App to scan ISBNs and compare prices. (Mar., 1998), pp. So I thought it would be worthwhile to take a deeper look at the work of Columbia historian Robert O. Paxton, who is a scholar of fascism. However, as Robert Paxton shows in The Anatomy of Fascism, fascism was a practice that extended far beyond these two leaders.This is an original approach, as the majority of scholars focus on fascism as an ideology. [7] He also noted that the Gaullists would object to Paxton's portrayal of them as "heirs of the regime they fought against" and that it would disturb all those who believed that Pétain had played a "double game" between the Axis and the Allies. (Prices may vary for AK and HI. Paxton breaks down Fascism into a few components; Fascism and its intellectual roots, Fascism in ascendance, and Fascism in power. Many use them as synonyms for "authoritarian," "racist," or "anti-Semitic." I chose this book because accusations of fascism are currently being leveled by many in the political world. Robert O. Paxton’s Anatomy of Fascism provides historians of political and intellectual history with an important argument about the role of ideas in political movements. Robert O. Paxton taught at Columbia University. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. [4], American political scientist and historian, State University of New York at Stony Brook, "Entering the Profession at the End of the Cold War" (2004, revised for H-DIPLO 2020, "The French-American Foundation Weekly Brief", "Robert O. Paxton - Mellon Professor Emeritus of Social Sciences", "I've Hesitated to Call Donald Trump a Fascist. The results were very disappointing. The Anatomy of Fascism Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. "An aggressive foreign policy to arrest the supposed decline. Robert Owen Paxton (born June 15, 1932) is an American political scientist and historian specializing in Vichy France, fascism, and Europe during the World War II era. [8] Communists welcomed the book for buttressing their belief that Vichy had been the product of state monopoly capitalism, and it was also applauded by Jewish groups. 70, No. He argued that the reforms undertaken by the Vichy government prefigured the reforms of the 1950s and 1960s and derived from Vichy's aim to transform French society. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.