CFP: Fascism and the Radical Right

“Fascism and the Radical Right: Comparison and Entanglements,” Online Convention, Central European University PU, Vienna, 25-27 September 2020

Third Convention of the International Association for Comparative Fascist Studies (ComFas)

Ever since their emergence on the political scene, fascism and the radical right had an intricate tangled relationship, marked by close cooperation but also conflict. Yet, despite the ideological affinities and socio-political ties between fascist and radical right movements and parties, a majority of works in the field approach these phenomena in isolation, ignoring their multifaceted historical interactions. The ComFas Convention aims at stimulating synchronic and diachronic comparative perspectives on fascism and the radical right at the level of ideology and political practice in order to contribute to a better understanding of both phenomena. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the historical trajectory and political metamorphoses of these political phenomena, on their similarities and differences, and on their multiple interactions and entanglements.

We invite comparative as well as single case-study contributions to the study of fascism and the radical right, coming from various social science disciplines including history, political science, sociology, international relations, anthropology, etc. Conference papers should preferably (but not exclusively) address the following topics:

History of fascism and the radical right from the 1920s to the present
Fascism and the contemporary populist radical right
Continuities and breaks between interwar and postwar fascisms
Populism in the radical right and Fascist ideology
Fascism, the radical right, and media representations
Fascism, the radical right and the internet / social media
Gender in fascist and radical right movements
Right Wing Political violence and Terrorism
Fascist and radical right transnational networks
Fascism, the radical right, and the history of emotions
Fascism and the radical right beyond Europe and North America
Cultures of fascism and the radical right (music, sport, clothing, etc.)
The construction of the Other in fascism and the radical right (e.g antisemitism and anti-Muslim attitudes)
Metapolitics of post-1945 fascism and the radical right
The political language of post-1945 fascisms and the radical right
Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COMFAS has taken the decision to hold this year’s conference as a virtual/online event. This is not the format we had originally anticipated but it is one that we think offers new and exciting opportunities for broader participation and dialogue.

Scholars interested in attending or contributing to the conference should send a mail with an abstract (max. 250 words), short bio and contact information to comfasconvention2020@comfas.org no later than 31 May 2020. We welcome individual papers as well as panel proposals. Acceptance decisions will be communicated on 15 June 2020.