Defensive Nationalism Explaining the Rise of Populism and Fascism in the 21st Century

A stunningly novel account of why populism and fascism are on the rise in the early 21st century.

Today we find in the most technologically advanced societies, wild conspiracy theories and a broad distrust of science and expertise have created deep political divisions that are splitting nations in two. Defensive Nationalism explains this paradox, using history as a guide. B. S. Rabinowitz finds that the turn-of-the 19th century was also a period of exceptional technological innovation that ended with toxic political upheavals. To investigate why, the author combines Karl Polanyi's concept of the "double movement" with Joseph Schumpeter's theory of innovation. Weaving together a fascinating narrative that spans two centuries, the book traces how the rapid transformation of transportation and communications during the Industrial Revolution and the Digital Revolution created economic interdependence and capital flows that induced radical economic, social, and political disruptions. In response, separate national-populist movements, stemming from particular national histories and struggles, arose concurrently to produce an era of "defensive nationalism." Distinguishing between creative, consolidating, and defensive nationalism, Rabinowitz offers a persuasively fresh way to study socio-political patterns across time and space.

Beth S. Rabinowitz is Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at Rutgers University. Rabinowitz's research addresses large theoretical questions about politics and social organization, from the effects of nationalism and the causes of ethnic conflict to the conditions needed for post-colonial state development. The author's work uniquely synthesizes theory and comparative history to examine how institutions shape leadership decisions and political outcomes, as well as how large structural change explains global social upheavals. Rabinowitz received a Political Science doctorate from University of California, Berkeley, and a Social Science Master's from the University of Chicago.

Introduction: The Paradox of Modernity

Part I: Theory
Chapter One: The Concepts: Populism, Nationalism, Fascism and Nativism
Chapter Two: The Synthesis: A New Typology of Nationalism
Chapter Three: Karl Polanyi: Theory & Ambiguity
Chapter Four: Joseph Schumpeter: Technology and the "Double Movement"

Part II: The Rise of the Modern Liberal Order
Chapter Five: The Belle Epoque: Railroads & Telegraphy
Chapter Six: The Digital Age: Turbo jets & Computers

Part III: The Dark Side of Globalization
Chapter Seven: Economic Reorganization & Economic Crises
Chapter Eight: Mass Media & Fake News
Chapter Nine: Mass Immigration & Global Terrorism

Part IV: Anti-Globalization
Chapter Ten: From Globalization to the Nation
Chapter Eleven: The Turn Inward: Nativism & Fascism

Part V: Post-War Peace
Chapter Twelve: The Concert of Europe
Chapter Thirteen: The Bretton Woods Era

Conclusion: Using History as a Guide
Notes
Index