On the one hand those saying that there is a contempary "Nazism" and those who cannot see the application of the term.
Both agree that something "new" is happening, something very bleak indeed. Clearly also we are seeing no mere hiccup but a determining trend in political life - the debate seems to assume this also.
So what is the debate?
That this new thing, whatever it is, can or cannot, be legitamely termed Nazism/Fascism seems to miss the point.
Elements of Bonapartism become became founding concepts of an understanding of Fascism. The point of departure was what had developed within capital between times (the rise of finance capital and imperialism). It was this that created some of the defining characteristics of fascism, but the concepts of Bonapartism did not go away they where incorproated into this understanding.
Today's "new order" and past socially organisied reaction (fascism - bonpartism) all share general characteristics. In fact they all can be generally classed culturally as forms of emergent barbarianism (not that this helps us particulairily).
The question is really which way is best to proceed along?
Michael Pugliese gives a number of references which target the misleading aspects of rer-using an older concept for a new problem. The references are illuminating but also miss the point that by developing the concepts of Bonapartism was part and parcel of recognising the then new phenomena of Fascism.
It is difficult if not impossible to try and grasp what is going on under such a general rubric as "ÿt is something new". Rather we need concrete analogies to begin with and hence Fascism seems to fit the bill. The course then is whether the concept is developed beyond itself to properly grasp what is in fact new, or whether it languishes as a reductive device which forestalls analysis.
Both approaches live within mobolising an old term, and I do not believe there is any shortcut.
Hence to deny the application of the term because it does not tally with historical experience does not in itself move things forwards but tends towards a scholastic debate. Adopting the term and going no further is just as fatal for the same reason.
I don't believe comrades are doing either exclusively, but the tendency is there.
In general terms Bonapartism, Fascism and our "new order" share too much in common to be dismmissed. The present period is clearly not just a periodic conservativism, there is nothing very conservative about it, it is active reaction. There are the cross-class demogogic characteristics, the reliance of force, the rampant anti-liberalism, the promotioon of anti-reason, the disregard for the rule of law, the scapegoating and public hate campaigns. And yes the beginings of concentration camps (illegals imprisoned indefinately) which recall all too strongly the period leading to WWII.
All three forms of reaction also share on origin of being stuck, France overshadowed by Britian, threatened by a rising Germany and economically in a vice. Germany, Italy and Japan locked out of serious Imperial competition (Spain playing the same game at a more local level - a society so anchronistic that the left-wing threat sweated out of its every existence).
Likewise the USA and its allied states. World superpower without any where to go by the old means, creates its own enemies (as puny as these are by any scale) and dreams of a world order that exists merely to maintain that supremacy.
Barabarism, reactionary action without reason (same ends being achieved by less nasty means systematically negelected), militarism, secret police, hate, repression and death. General tendencies found whenever the same general nexus is encountered.
By all means let us start-off with fascism as an initial analogy and find the real historical differences underneath.
Greg Schofield Perth Australia g_schofield at dingoblue.net.au _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
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