Ever since the rise of Italian fascism and German Nazism in the first part of 20^th Century and up till today the term fascism comprised the terminological core of left-wing (especially socialist) theoretical and political projects. In the first part of 20^th century this term was used to characterize both Italian and German regimes or even any regimes and movements that mimicked German Nazism or Italian fascism. On the political front the term was used as a swearword, which is why its use probably expanded as much as it did. With regards to this it is instructive to remember Stalin, who angrily denounced social democracy as but the “moderate wing of fascism”. The concept of fascism thus rapidly lost its analytical value: it was either used as such an abstract concept that it could cover an unlimited amount of political actors or phenomena, or it stifled a sober-minded reflection and evoked primarily emotional responses with its denunciatory tone.

Venue: Stara mestna elektrarna – Elektro Ljubljana, Slomškova 18, Ljubljana, Slovenia

PROGRAMME:

First day, 27th of April

20:00 - 22:00 Lecture by Mladen Dolar: “Fascism Between Political Economy and Libidinal Economy”

Second day, 28th of April:

12:00 - 13:30 Panel discussion: “Fascism and Liberalism”

• Christine Achinger
• Anže Dolinar
• Martin Hergouth

15:00 - 16:30 Panel discussion: “The Class Structure of Fascism”

• Donny Gluckstein
• Tibor Rutar
• Dragan Nikčević

17:00 - 19:00 General discussion
 
Third day, 29th of April

12:00 - 13:30 Lecture by G. M. Tamás: “Why Fascism Persists”

15:00 - 16:30 Panel discussion: “The Far-Right in Europe”;

• Jana Tsoneva
• Tjaša Pureber
• Boštjan Remic

17:00 - 19:00 General discussion
 
Fourth day, 30th of April

12:00 - 13:30 Panel discussion: “Fascism and Aesthetics”

• Sami Khatib
• Lev Kreft
• Sašo Slaček

15:00 - 16:30 Panel discussion: “Fascism as Discourse and Desire”

• Aleš Mendiževec/Izidor Barši
• Miha Andrič
• Jernej Kaluža/Anže Okorn

17:00 - 19:00 Lecture by Ishay Landa: “Progress and Fascism: The Proof of the Pudding?”