Left-wing fascism

Left-wing fascism is a pejorative term used to assert a connection between modern strains of leftism and Fascism as represented by Benito Mussolini in Italy.

Juergen Habermas first used the term during the 1960s to distance the neo-Marxist perspectives of the Frankfurt School from the violence and authoritarianism of left-wing terrorists [Wallace, R.A. and A. Wolf. (1991). "Contemporary Sociological Theory: Continuing the Classical Tradition." Third Edition, p116. (The term used by Habermas was 'left-fascism.')] . Habermas, whose work emphasizes the importance of rational discourse, democratic institutions, and opposition to the use of violence, has made important contributions to conflict theory and is often associated with the radical left.

In recent years the term has been adopted by conservative American political commentators to describe diverse forms of leftist ideology. Often the term is applied to left-wing critics of Israel alongside accusations of anti-Semitism.

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External links

* [http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=4087 Left-wing Fascism: an intellectual disorder]