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Russian Fascism: Traditions, Tendencies, Movements
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Comments/Reviews
Description: Will Russia's fragile and flawed democracy meet the same fate as interwar Germany's Weimar Republic? That is the question that prompts this meticulous analysis of fascism, its manifestations in Russian political and cultural history, and fascist tendencies and movements in contemporary Russia. The author devotes chapters to the many Russian political parties, movements, and organizationst that have been labeled (or mislabeled) as fascist. He critically examines each in terms of program, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Against the background of the current climate of opinion and events in Russia, he concludes with a careful attempt to weigh the pospects for a fascist outcome.
Selected Contents:
1. Defining "Fascism"
2. Does Russia Have a Fascist Tradition?
3. Nationalists, Communists, Orthodox Christians, and Neo-Pagans
4. Cossacks, Skinheads, and Soccer Fans
5. Zhirinovsky and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia
6. Barkashov and the Russian National Unity
7. Dugin, Limonov, and the National-Bolshevik Party
8. Other Fascist Organizations
9. Comparative Overview of Fascist Organizations
Conclusion. Weimar Russia?
Review(s): [Shenfield's] precise definition [of fascism] allows him to compare Russian political parties and organizations accurately to each other and assess the depth of fascism in Russia.The beginning and end of the book are exciitng. ... Recommended for academic and public libraries. Library Journal
Stephen D. Shenfield has given us an important book. It is among the first of the serious works that undertake a comparative study of "fascism" in the former Soviet Union. ... Shenfield's book is a better introduction to the contested issue than most of those currently available. ... this book can be recommended to all those attempting to anticipate what the future might bring to the former Soviet Union. Slavic Review
In a just-the-facts-ma'am style, Shenfield takes note of Father Nikon, Osipov and Shtilmark as well as much bigger fish like Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the recently deposed Alexander Barkashov and the recently jailed Eduard Limonov. ... Russian Fascism, chock full as it is of anti-Semites, angry religious zealots and genocidal visionaries, concludes with Shenfield's hopeful observation that 'the crucial handicap and guilty secret of Russian fascism is that it is not really very Russian. For the Russian nationalists whom fascist organizations seek to attract, that is the worst of all sins.' The Moscow Times.com
What first impresses the reader of Russian Fascism is the careful and methodical examination of the term 'fascism.' ... Shenfield has done the field of post-Soviet politics a great service. His careful and meticulous research, as well as his understanding of fascism in general, makes Russian Fascism and exceptional and very useful book. Nationalities Papers
... will surely become a standard reference in the fields of post-Soviet Russian party politics, and comparative fascist studies alike. e-Extreme (Electronic Newsletter of the ECPR-SG on Extremism & Democracy)
... a fair, scholarly account and analysis of the phenomenon of Fascism in Russia. As added value, it develops a definition of Fascism that should have much merit beyond this study, too. Journal of Peace Research
... [Shenfield] writes intelligibly and intelligently, and has a journalist's eye for telling detail. ... Russian Fascism is a necessary survey. The Jerusalem Post
In this extremely well-researched and documented work, Mr. Shenfield examines the likelihood that Russia will follow the tragic path of Weimar Germany. ... Instead of pandering to shallow public opinion and latent fears ... Shenfield scrupulously investigates this thing we call fascism on the Russian landmass and provides a much more sober and objective analysis. Low Intensity Conflict and Law Enforcement
...Essential reading for anyone interested in the Russian right and aelcome addition to collections on Russian politics and on extremist movements in Europe. CHOICE Current Reviews for Academic Libraries
    
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