The Dark Side of Europe

Fascism cannot be treated as an isolated historical or political phenomenon, relevant only to certain countries at certain times. In the difficult economic and social circumstances of the 1970s and 1980s old ideas have found a new audience, and whilst democracy may not face an immediate challenge, a considered approach to racism and fascism will be needed if the new Europe of the 1990s is not to provide an opportunity for a pan-European extreme right revival. Racism, the rewriting of history, the new right, terrorism and secret service corruption are looked at comparatively. For the first time in English a detailed analysis of the Le Pen phenomenon in France and extreme right terrorism in Italy is offered; the similarities with developments in other European countries are brought out. The author provides detailed inside knowledge of how the European institutions have responded and looks at some of the implications for society and politics of the 1992 project and the continuation of immigration into Western Europe.