![Sample our Politics & International Relations journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5947/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Politics-International-Relations.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The resurgence of authoritarianism worldwide has led to renewed interest in the Frankfurt School theory of the authoritarian personality. In this article, I clarify the role of that idea in a class-theoretical critique of fascism by showing how it supplements the Marxist analysis. I first outline the Marxist theory of fascism with reference particularly to the puzzles of fascist politics and ideology, before arguing that the authoritarian personality construct helps solve some of these. Then, I clarify the fit between the theory of the authoritarian personality and Marxist theory by explicating its origins in the research programme of the Frankfurt School. Finally, I propose that the authoritarian personality construct explains the nature of the elements in the fascist ideological “medley,” with reference to its key characteristics of rigid conventionalism, unquestioning obedience and authoritarian aggression.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Geoff M. Boucher
Geoff Boucher is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of a number of books on historical materialism and continental philosophy, including Understanding Marxism (2012), Adorno Reframed (2012) and The Charmed Circle of Ideology (2008). His latest book is Habermas and Literature (Bloomsbury Academic, 2021). He is also the author of Žižek and Politics (with Matthew Sharpe, 2010) and Postmodern Conservatism in Australia (2008).