Fascism and anti-modernity

Podcast: Bruno Waterfield at The Academy 2011 explains the origins of fascism.

In this week’s IoI podcast, journalist Bruno Waterfield argues that the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy in the wake of the First World War was not as inevitable as is often portrayed. Waterfield debunks the myth that Hitler and Mussolini were swept to power on a wave of popular support, as many historians claim. Rather, they came to power because of the collaboration of old political elites, bereft of ideas and legitimacy, who were desperate to maintain power in a rapidly changing world. Yet fascism would ultimately destroy these old forms of authority and the liberalism and democracy they claimed to stand for.   

This lecture was recorded at The Academy 2011. If you would like to find out more about this year’s Academy, visit the Academy 2015 page.

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