In 1987, during the final years of the Cold War, a Marxist philosopher and economist named Alfred Sohn-Rethel raised an important question in Germany’s Tageszeitung newspaper: “Is the fascist economy a threat?” Although his response was mixed, he saw signs of a fascist economy in the military buildup of the 1980s, aimed at propping up capitalism through massive rearmament. However, he also noted that the economic changes happening at the time gave him some hope that a repeat of the 1930s was unlikely.
Sohn-Rethel emphasized that fascism is not just about individual actors; it is a structural phenomenon that arises in specific political-economic contexts. He urged people to consider fascism within the backdrop of historical movements that sought to maintain the status quo of developed capitalism during times of social upheaval. The initial stages of fascism involve harsh measures to address unemployment, control labor, and revive markets and profits through armament production, ultimately risking the outbreak of total war.
Fast forward to today, under President Biden, the emergence of a militarist political economy has given new relevance and urgency to Sohn-Rethel’s analysis. As authoritarianism and militarism rise in many parts of the world, his insights about the nature of fascist economies resonate more strongly than ever. It’s important for us to understand how economic and political structures can enable fascism’s rise so we can take action before it becomes too late.
In conclusion, Alfred Sohn-Rethel’s perspective on fascism as a systemic issue rooted in economic and political structures challenges us to view this phenomenon with greater awareness and understanding. His insights are particularly relevant in today’s climate where militarism and authoritarianism are on the rise. We must pay attention to these warning signs if we want to prevent another catastrophic event like World War II from happening again.
